Processes Involved for Loose Wheels and Four V´s of Operations Management

Introduction

With manufacturing growth increasing month on month it is critical that companies ensure they are on top of their game. Not only do they have to maintain their current position in the market they also need to plan for the future and continuously improve on foundations they have in place. Founded in 1906, Taylor Brothers was established, a railway wheel manufacturing company. Acquired by Lucchini RS Group Italy (LRS) in 2006 they still stand today more than a century on.

Lucchini UK (LUK) is a subsidiary of LRS along with sites in Poland, Sweden, and India. LUK is highly positioned within the UK rail industry as a ‘one stop shop’ for all wheelset overhaul, assembly and light repairs. Having a strong relationship with its partners they are able to provide a complete management program for wheelset maintenance, therefore a total solution provider.

Aside from wheelsets LUK produce what they know as loose wheels, wheels which are sold solely as a wheel, no axle or other components included. Currently their capacity enables them to manufacture in excess of 30,000 loose wheels per year. With continued investment, and a focus on continuously improving their operations they aim to maintain their stance as the only UK based manufacturer of wheels and wheelsets.

This assignment will be looking at the processes involved for loose wheels and how they are managed in terms of the four V’s of operations management. Performance measures will be observed and analysed. The fundamental operations of LUK for loose wheels will be assessed; one key factor they deem crucial to winning orders will be discussed and what they can do to sustain and develop this into the future.

Loose wheels

Figure 1.0 shows LUK are currently m...

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...pressure in the market place to reduce costs can have severe consequences to a business if they are not ready to challenge it. By using methodologies which are available a business can visibly see how they compare to their competitors. Benchmarking themselves not only demonstrates where they are in relation to other manufacturers. It helps them to understand what they have to achieve to gain a competitive advantage.

LUK are a large manufacturing company who are very good at what they do. Having said that must continue to expand on what keeps them ahead of the competitors. Continually monitoring their performance whilst continually improving their operations

Works Cited

Bamford, D. and Forrester P. (2010) Essential guide to operations management.

Slack, N. et al. (2012) Operations and process management. 3rd ed. Principles and practice for strategic impact.