Large Factory Sites - Literature review Example

Library Research Enhancing Logistics productivity of Large factory Sites (s Zoran M., Christian T, Andreas m, and Uwe C. Date: 2013 Relevant topic: Logistics This article published in the Journal of Engineering seeks to examine the various ways that large production companies and factories can use to improve their efficiency in production and distribution of end products to consumers. The inefficiency in the current transport networks in the recent years have largely disrupted business operations by leading to a lot of time being wasted at transport terminals, on the roads and the various distribution channels. This has created a necessity for improving the transport logistics in order to enable companies to reduce production costs and make the transport system more environment friendly. The findings of the study conducted by the authors were used in the development of a software application, ‘EcoSiteManager’, to assist in the management of logistics for large factories (Zoran M., Christian T, Andreas M, and Uwe C, 1920). The last few years have seen a sharp increase in the volumes of shipments across the world. This has led to most of the large companies stretching to their limits in terms of their capabilities to handle the large amounts of cargo (Zoran M., Christian T, Andreas M, and Uwe C, 1800). This has in turn led to development of bottlenecks in the various transport chains across major ports. In as much as this negatively affects the transport sector and stalls business operations, it creates an opportunity for more enabling more efficiency in the transport sector. This presents a great potential for increasing efficiency in the area of transport and logistics in at various terminals, production sites and distribution centers thereby ensuring the economy continues to grow (Zoran M., Christian T, Andreas M, and Uwe C, 2050). Improving the efficiency of logistics facilities will greatly contribute to improving the performance and quality of transport networks and distribution channels. It will also reduce the costs involved in transportation, save on time and reduce emission of greenhouse gasses in to the atmosphere as a result of congestions on road networks. The authors have brought out a lot if insights about the logistics industry. I have learnt a lot of useful information on how to improve efficiency the transport network to reduce production costs and ease congestion at various transport terminals. One most of the most fascinating fact that I have gathered from the article is the idea that technology can be used to improve the efficiency of the transport network. The EcoSitemanagement system for instance can be used to manage movement of products across a transport channel. This is very fascinating given the impact that technological developments are having on the business sector and the economy at large. This information in the article can be used in the development of other software applications to manage other areas in the transport networks such as distribution of goods. Title: Lean manufacturing practices: Problems and Prospects Author: Rajesh K. M. Mehta, D. and Naveen K. M. Date: 2012 Topic: Logistics In this article, the authors examine how manufactures can improve the efficiency of their production through lean production practices. Lean production refers to the generation of additional value for consumers by doing away with activities and processes that lead to wastage of time and resources (Rajesh, Mehta and Naveen 1600). This will ensure that production costs are kept at minimum while at the same time ensuring production of quality goods and services for the consumers. Large manufacturers have complicated production processes that need good management to ensure the end product is of the highest quality as possible. Some of the activities in the production process consume a lot of time and take up many resources that would have been used in other activities. The article presents lean manufacturing as the best alternative to production of quality products within the shortest time possible and the least amount of resources possible. Lean manufacturing is all about saving money, space, time, inventory and human resources. The main objective of lean production is improving the efficiency of the production process through eliminating activities that lead to wastage of resources, mismanagement of the supply chain, poor customer relations and product design (Rajesh, Mehta and Naveen 1680). The authors in this article make an attempt to study the various challenges that are associated with lean manufacturing in the modern manufacturing environment with a focus in the gear industry and how the companies in this industry can overcome these challenges and maximize their production activities to fulfill the demands of the consumers. Among the various issues the article discusses include the benefits that companies can enjoy when they implement lean manufacturing. Among the benefits identified include reduction of overhead costs, sales control, doubling up the sales, cutting production lead time by between 50-90% and saving on space among other benefits. The article also gives the eight main types of wastes in the production process that lean manufacturing hopes to eradicate. These include overproduction, waiting, inventory, movement, unnecessary processing, defects, and unused employee creativity (Rajesh Mehta and Naveen 1687). Lean manufacturing can has five main principles identified as mapping the value stream, establishing pool, identifying value, creating flow and seeking perfection. The authors conclude the article by stating that it is the responsibility of the management team to identify and prevent any activities that may create flaws in the production process. This article contains very useful information to improve manufacturing processes for large companies. I have learnt a lot from the article. The insights the authors have brought out in the article have informed to a great deal about the production processes and best it can be improved in order to help companies maximize their manufacturing processes. One key fact is that lean manufacturing is not only good for the companies but also to the consumers. The consumers will be able to get the end products of high quality in the right time. The revelation that the management of manufacturing companies has the responsibility of ensuring proper procedures in the production process is also useful in the sense that it makes it easier to manage the entire process. Title: Quality Management of the Espresso-type products Author: Vasile, A. Date: 2012 Topic: Logistics This article focuses on the technical aspect of quality management in the production process with a specific emphasis on the Espresso-type products. The author takes time to reflect on the significance of quality control management for manufacturing companies. The consumers and other beneficiaries of products have he demands and requirements regarding the quality of the end products that they get from the factories. The manufacturers have a duty to cater for this demand through ensuring quality maintenance throughout the whole production process. Quality control should be managed in all the departments of the company that are directly related with the production process or the final product. The author of this article looks at the manufacturing process variability. She delves in to the technical nature of production that often requires a lot of relevant knowledge on the part of the management team. The technical control department of the company is the one charged with the responsibility of conducting tests and analyses in order to characterize the production process. It is important to have knowledge of the manufacturing process variability in order to help companies maximize their production processes (Vasile, 1608) The technical department is also charged with the responsibility of making necessary adjustments to the production process in order to restore it in to its acceptable development progress in order to increase the requirements of the beneficiaries. The ever increasing demands of the beneficiaries and the technical nature of the process, it is advisable to adopt the practice of increasing the warranty period from the suppliers of the different products and enhancing the quality control measures in order to be able to track the behavior of the product while in operation. The technical quality control therefore influences the whole production process through the application of corrective measures in each of the departments in the company that have a direct contribution on the quality of the final product (Vasile 1638). The article also delves in to various issues such as the various methods and techniques that are good for quality control in the production process, as well as a good case study of the coffee espresso product discussing its quality management. The author concludes by giving the various advantages of quality control mechanisms such as assisting in the determination of compliance of the quality system to the requirements of the quality standards. The author also advises companies to have both internal and external audits on the quality control processes in order to assess the quality procedures in relation to the established standards (Vasile 1750). This article, like the others is also very informative. Quality control is a very important part of the production process. This article brings out various issues with regard to how companies can ensure the quality of their products is not compromised. I have learnt a lot on the importance of quality control and how companies can ensure the quality of their production process is not compromised. Works Cited Rajesh K. M. Mehta, D. and Naveen K. M. Lean manufacturing practices: Problems and Prospects. International Journal of Engineering, (3), 1584- 2673, 2012. Vasile, A., Quality Management of the Espresso-type products. International Journal of Engineering, (3), 1584- 2673, 2012. Zoran M., Christian T, Andreas M, and Uwe C., Enhancing Logistics productivity of Large factory Sites, International Journal of Engineering, (3), 1584- 2673, 2013. Read More