Effektiv materialförsörjning i en försörjningskedja hos ett MTO-företag: En fallstudie på ABB Components i Ludvika
2014 (Swedish) Independent thesis Advanced level (professional degree), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
The growing competition between companies have led to their supply chains becoming a means for obtaining competitive advantages. The supply chains have become more complex because of an increased focus on lower costs, a shorter life cycle on products and an increased demand. This increased complexity have created a need to identify problems in the supply chain. Furthermore, as the competition have increased, the lead time have become an important parameter for companies. In a Make-to-Order (MTO) company a short lead time can be the deciding factor if they are to be the order winner. The lead time from the supplier is major contributing factor to the total lead time and inventory are often used to reduce its impact. Inventory can however be disadvantageous as it ties up capital and is a source of waste.ABB Components in Ludvika is a MTO company and a part of Power Products which is a division in ABB Ltd and are the world’s largest manufacturer of bushings. ABB Composites in Piteå are also a part of the division Power Products and produce insulators which is a component of the bushings. The procurement of insulators for one of Components products is based on a forecast due to long lead times from Composites and Components maintains a large inventory of insulators. Components has an ambition to make the supply of material more efficient to obtain shorter lead times and reduced inventory. This study was of a dual nature in which the first part had the purpose of identifying actions that can improve the efficiency of a supply chain in an MTO company. This was done through a process mapping of Components supply chain where factors affecting lead time and inventory were identified. From the process mapping an action with the potential to shorten the lead time and inventory levels were identified that formed the basis for the second phase of the study.This study shows that uncertainty in forecasts have a large effect on both the lead time through the amplification of the lead time gap and higher inventory levels. In addition, capacity constraints and waste have a negative impact on lead time. The study also highlighted the importance of a well-functioning inventory system to shorten the lead time and inventory levels through waste reduction. Components are advised to drive improvement projects with a focus on the identified capacity constraints and waste. Furthermore, Components are advised to improve the development of the forecasts through a closer contact with customers and improved information sharing between parties in the supply chain. This study shows that reducing uncertainty in the forecasts is the single action with the greatest potential to shorten the lead time and inventory levels. The study also identified a need to reduce the requirement of forecasts because of difficulty in acquiring information, the number of product variants and that orders were delayed. With a pull system the need of planning and forecasts is reduced because of the customers’ real need control the production and procurement of materials. The studies second purpose was therefore to study how a pull system can be designed in a MTO company's supply chain according to its properties.The results from the study’s second part showed that a CONWIP system is preferred as it is best suited to the properties of a MTO company. The design of a CONWIP system should be based on the areas work backlog, line discipline, card counts, card deficits and work ahead. An implementation should initially be carried out on a limited area to accustom users. It is also important to develop rules to control the system and that the system is designed with the ability to measure, control and manage WIP and to review and develop the areas. The recommendations for Components is based on the CONWIP system and named areas. An implementation should be carried out in two steps were the first step is based on a system with the current lead time and a second stage were the lead time is halved. Components should also start the implementation on one product variant and thereafter implement it on other products in the product group.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages 2014. , p. 96
Keywords [en]
Social Behaviour Law
Keywords [sv]
Samhälls-, beteendevetenskap, juridik, Logistik, Dragande flöde, Conwip, Processkartläggning, Kanban
Identifiers URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-42814 Local ID: 0c7ab41e-0556-4326-b178-d81850058f07 OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-42814 DiVA, id: diva2:1016040
Subject / course Student thesis, at least 30 credits
Educational program Industrial and Management Engineering, master's level
Supervisors
Examiners
Note Validerat; 20140828 (global_studentproject_submitter)
2016-10-042016-10-04 Bibliographically approved