Track: Case Studies

Abstract

Build-to-Order or Make-to-Order is a common approach for highly configured products such as special vehicles (vehicles that are adapted and altered to suit a specific purpose). Examples of such vehicles are ambulances as well as vehicles adapted for the support and transport of passengers with less mobility. In this type of business, operations are scheduled in response to a confirmed order received from a final customer. Thus, the variability and the uncertainty characterizing what is project based, generate a complexity that requires specifically tailored managerial approaches to handle all the involved processes - from design and engineering to production and delivery. Hence, in this accentuated complexity, it is extremely important to guarantee that both the material and information flows are efficient and effective. The present study, framed in a program of operational improvement in a manufacturer of special vehicles, aims to address some concrete improvement opportunities related to the significant number of raw materials stockouts and to the high number of changes made by the client after production has started. In fact, during the manufacturing and assembly process, there are constant changes that delay and difficult planning and consequently decreases the overall efficiency and effectiveness. Strategies to address all these matters are to be identified and applied.