Track: Case Studies

Abstract

Implementing Lean system tools in the road transportation process is a way to make the process happen with less human effort, equipment, time, and space, allowing for planned transportation logistics. The limited use of Lean thinking in the trucking industry and the paucity of practical studies suggest that there is no clear understanding of the benefits of how Lean thinking can support improved operations in this industry. Thus, this study aims to identify the waste in the transportation process dedicated to the offshore chain in a company in the oil and gas sector, through a real case study, adding guidance on the limited research conducted in this field. This is a complex process where possibilities for competitive improvement lie for the internal logistics area of the company under analysis. The offshore supply chain case study was composed of multiple theoretical and empirical data collection methods, such as scoping review, focus groups, and participant observation. The field analysis allowed us to clearly identify the waste existing in the process in the studied area. We conclude that this work explored the applicability of Lean tools to reduce waste in road transport through a real case of intervention, resulting in the identification of waste present in the process and in a concrete action plan for the implementation of automation of activities and treatment of the points identified with a minimum estimate of reduction of downtime in monetary value of R$ 128,477.17 in two weeks of operation.