Previously, in literature, different production strategies for customer order fulfillment have been discussed. These strategies can be classified as Make-to-Stock (MTS), Make-to-Order (MTO), Assemble-to-Order (ATO) and Engineer to Order (ETO) [42, 43]. These strategies differ with respect to where stock is held in the system and where the production system is decoupled from customer order [44]. The adoption of these strategies depends on the customer’s willingness to wait as discussed by Mather in his P/D ratio, where he compares the production system’s response time (P) to the customers’ willingness to wait (D) [45]. Company’s decision to adopt any of these approaches is of great strategic importance [46] as it strongly affects the way a company carries out its manufacturing planning and control activities [47]. In an ATO environment manufacturers usually keep stock of manufactured standard parts and sub-assemblies that are assembled according to an individual customer’s order. Thus ATO is an order driven production strategy where products are produced once an order is received and shipped immediately thereafter. Previously, it has been also referred to as delayed product differentiation, a form postponement [48], implemented in assembly systems to defer the differentiation of final product configurations. In a mixed-product assembly, the points of product differentiation represent specialization stages in the assembly system where each product starts to develop its own unique identity, thus, becoming differentiated from other variants in the family [49]. In this way a large number of customized products may be assembled from a small set of basic components. However, order-driven production responds to swings in demand and thus ...
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...oint effort of product designers and production engineers. When properly performed, such redesign leads to considerable simplification of the assembly process and reduction in total assembly time [55]. Similarly product modularity has been emphasized as an important enabler that makes the implementation of postponement easier. Product modularity is an attribute of the product system that characterizes the ability to mix and match independent and interchangeable product building blocks with standardized interfaces in order to create product variants [56]. It separates the composition of end products into parts and/or subassemblies that are common and those that are not [57]. The design of products around modular architectures triggers a significant reduction of production lead times since long manufacturing lines can be split into parallel production of modules [58].
Kuiper Leda lacks an effective Inventory Management to handle properly the increase in demand of stock and production. An inventory management plan would be capable of forecasting errors in production, client-required service levels, total lead time in manufacturing a unit or batch of the product, and demand priorities. Inventory control is a challenge currently because of the size of Midland Motor's order. In order to meet the demand the company needs to increase the inventory which increases the inventory costs. KL have an opportunity of using the Just - In - Time method of inventory control which eliminates waste by making the resources and labor available only in the time and amount required. It will help increase productivity, product quality and work performance while saving inventory costs for the company. (Curtin, 2008). Kuiper Leda also needs to keep in mind that they will still have to fill orders from other clients that have previously placed orders or even new customers.
On the same note, it is well acknowledged that the competitiveness of any organization fundamentally depends on the workforce. Indeed, the workforce is recognized as the heart or living organism of any organization including hotels. It goes without saying that there is minimum likelihood that a restaurant where workers operate in unsafe conditions or are mistreated will offer services and products of the highest quality. Scholars note that employees always desire to work in institutions or restaurants that have high standards of integrity and strive to do the appropriate thing (Fox & Vorley, 2004 pp. 33). This is especially so for the new generation workforce, as well as in attracting the best talent in the industry. A reputation for responsibility and integrity has been recognized as crucial in motivating, as well as recruiting staff especially considering that individuals care about the principles and values that their employers wish to uphold. Scholars note that operating voluntarily to high ethical standards pertaining to environment and social responsibility can result in competitive advantage (Schlegelmilch et al, 2004, pp. pp 254). Customers and civil society groups have been increasingly vigilant in determining whether there is an ethical lapse in the manner in which employees are treated within the supply chain of any organization (Fox & Vorley, 2004 pp. 33). In fact, they have been pressurizing restaurants and other business entities to cut ties with any organization in their supply chain that is not ethical in its treatment of employees. Scholars note that the impression that a restaurant or business entity would create in terms of public relations both on the stakeholders and the customers is highly dependent on the ac...
After recent entering into the new product line, electronic manufacturer Kuiper Leda, Inc. facing a big challenge. Being a smaller manufacturing firm for ten years, company was not expecting to get a large and urgent order from Midland Motors, an American Original Equipment Manufacturer. Executive management team concerns about Kuiper Leda approach to delivering products. Always working with smaller customers, company only has a minimum capacity for producing 1,500 ECU and RFID units, which is very low value for the order requirements.
Due to the changing market trends, Custom Molds should conduct a comprehensive review of its business objectives and decide whether to focus on the fabrication of molds or the production of parts. It is obvious that the fabrication business is becoming less viable in terms of the reflecting the electronics industry's manufacturing needs. Couple that with the high cost of operation in the mold fabrication area, the return on investment from that business segment may not attractive enough for the company to continue supporting the operation. By focusing its production efforts on parts production, the company can better manage its resources to ensure timely delivery of quality parts and also develop better relationships with their clients.
2. Candidate Wagner's order delivery started strong, however as SNC continued through the order SNC's confidence decreased as SNC realized he was unsure of what he was briefing. SNC stated the mission incorrectly. SNC did correct himself and only realized that it was incorrect when the fire team started to execute the problem. SNC did not cover Admin and Logistics nor did he cover Command and Signal. SNC displayed no sense of urgency when giving his order or while executing the problem resulting in a failed attempt make any progress on the problem. SNC was unaware of the tactical situation and did not post any security. SNC did not adhere to the safety instructions and continuously tried to negotiate the obstacle resulting in gear and
...n Empirical Comparison of Anticipatory and Response Based Supply chain Strategies.” The International Journal of Logistics Management. 9: 2; 21-33. Lair, Noor Ajian Mohd, Awaluddin Mohamed Shaharoun and Mohamed Shariff Nabi Baksh, “JIT Implementation across A Supply Chain and It effects on Inventory Distribution”, http://www.moste.gov.my/kstas/NSFWorkshop/NSF/nsf%5CAAI16.DOC Lenzini, Joshua M (2002) “The Army's answer to supply chain management Army Logistician”; Fort Lee; Sep/Oct 2002 Li, Yuan, Fan, Zhiping and Zhao, Xuan (1999). “An Integrated Framework of Supply chain Management System.” Software Engineering Conference 1999. Proceeding sixth Asia Pacific. 196 – 199 Pagh, Janus D and Martha C Cooper (1998) “Supply chain postponement and speculation strategies: How to choose the right strategy”, Journal of Business Logistics, Issue # 2, Volume 19, Pg. 13-33.
The process of product design has several steps to having a successful product. There are all different levels of expertise needed to complete the process and concurrent design engineering allows for this to work. Concurrent Design Engineering was defined by Sohlenius as "a way of work where the various engineering activities in the product and production development process are integrated and performed as much as possible in parallel rather than in sequence." Different disciplines within the process are kept informed through the database of any and all changes to the product from start ...
Throughout the history of modern civilization, there have been a number of inventions, contraptions, and processes to have made profound impacts on everyday life, and redefine the world, as we know it. With effective quality management, measures American industrialist and innovator Henry Ford used the assembly line to streamline the automotive manufacturing process and transform the American Industry. With the implementation of the assembly line in his manufacturing process Ford was able to offer the American consumer an affordable automobile, while at the same time cutting costs to his company, therefore maximizing his overall productiveness and profit while ensuring his customers’ needs were met.
Different jobs require various amounts of labor, expenses and raw materials subject to the superiority of the jobs to be carried out. The quality and size of items demanded can vary. Therefore, such a job might not need a standard manufacturing method. On no account are two jobs precisely similar. The finished product may not be the same. Clearly, the cost of every job will be different depending on the individuality of the work order obtained from clients.
In 1913, Henry Ford revolutionized product manufacturing by introducing the first assembly line to the automotive industry. In the 1980’s, Ford picked suppliers based on lowest cost and the overall costs of the supply chain were ignored. Dealing with so many suppliers led to a higher overall costs and a complexity that was difficult to control. In the 1990’s, Ford cut down on the number of suppliers drastically and shifted towards more long term relationships with a set of suppliers that would provide entire vehicle sub systems. Although the number of suppliers were lower, our supply base was different and more complex then the one used by Dell.
...ough quality or enough service, satisfaction will result. However, we have evidence to support that quality and service alone can not produce recurrent satisfaction. Satisfaction is a distinct and separate issue.
...st manufacturing company, actual time of occurrence and vigorous and purposeful customer demand analysis is required by most, if not all manufacturing companies to efficiently and automatically act in response of customers demand.
The business environment is increasingly becoming competitive and challenging. In the recent past, manufacturers have found themselves facing the threat of dwindling profit margins due to unfortunate global events such as the 2007 global financial crisis and the on going Europe economic crisis. The need to improve operation efficiency so as to ensure current and future investment yield the highest rate of return has therefore become extremely important. Manufacturers are now actively engaged in, managing their costs, Research and Development, adopting best procurement strategies, among other Actions. While such actions might eventually lead to positive results, additional business value can be achieved through proper management of the supply chain (Waymer, Ivanaj & Mussa 2009; Krivda 2004).
Wholesalers acts as a lesion between manufacturers of commodities and other industries that are interesting in selling the same products. Along this distribution chain wholesalers usually purchase goods in large quantities and in turn sells them to retailers who ultimately supplies goods and services to consumers. Due to the available space at wholesale locations they are able to store products for distribution to retailers which reduces retailers storage costs. Wholesalers are able to store goods in large quantities which allow retailers to purchase in small quantities. Due to this option retailers are able to only purchase what is needed at that given point (Kotler & Keller, 2012). Additionally, because wholesalers are able to purchase goods
...change production planning and control, and supply and payment process, when firms provide customized products.