Managing an Outbound Process to Generate Competitive and Reliable Deliveries: A case study at MAN Truck & Bus Salzgitter
2020 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (professional degree), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Efficient flow of materials within producing firms is an important part of the supply chain to evaluate, while it often provides an opportunity for significant savings. One key element to evaluate is the outbound process compromising the inventory and associated transport and handling processes. This thesis examines the outbound process while aiming to achieve some substantial lean advantages. The topic was decided by internal discussions on critical areas in addition to observations by author and was narrowed down to:
“Developing a concept for implementation of improvement processes in the NDA outbound finished goods area at MAN Truck & Bus”
To fulfil the purpose of this research, literature review, expert interviews, observations as well as data measurements has been conducted to gain the required knowledge in how the outbound processes are managed and how it is performed elsewhere.
The results were derived through a longer period of time by daily analysing buffer levels, along with gathering production variation and through those calculating a more appropriate safety stock. In addition to this, concepts are compared to different fulfilment rates and economic pay-off times. As a consequence of production variations, the research suggests that the plant should keep a safety stock at a level of 715 axles, averaging one-day buffer time, and ensuring the plant from stock-out at a confidence level of 99%. In addition, MAN is recommended to follow Concept Beta and consequently receive increased number of docking stations and expanded space for handling and transport of NDAs. The results can naturally not be applied over all organizations, however the approach used is generalizable within all manufacturing organizations which uses a finished goods area.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2020. , p. 71
Keywords [en]
Value stream mapping, Operations management, Business performance, Lean manufacturing, Continuous improvement, Inventory management, Outbound process
National Category
Mechanical Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-80034OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-80034DiVA, id: diva2:1447636
External cooperation
MAN
Educational program
Industrial and Management Engineering, master's level
Supervisors
Examiners
2020-06-292020-06-262020-06-29Bibliographically approved