Flexibility with Virtual Cellular Systems

In today s competitive world customers desire goods and services of a high quality, at a reduced cost and with on time delivery. At short notice they choose small quantities from a large variety. In turbulent environment it is a challenge to satisfy the customer. Hence, the JS manufacturers are under constant and intense pressure to quickly and continuously improve their operations by enhancing productivity, quality and responsiveness. Noticeable, the JS sector is currently encountering difficulties at all levels. A manufacturing firm in the JS sector was analysied to improve its operations where emphasis was placed at the operational level. The objectives of this research were to reduced ST and FT for customers jobs. Hence, strategies were adapted, analysis and compared. The result clearly supported the implementation of VCM over CM and the existing strategy of JS operation. Therefore, JS manufacturers with operational issues would find this reading applicable. With limited resources available to reduce waste and enhance responsiveness they should follow the steps as outlined in this text to configure virtual cellular layouts for flexibility.

Autorentext

Jainarine Bansee, Part-2 (EC-UK), MSc (UWI), Adv Dip (ABE), FABE, MAPETT, AMIMechE. Faculty member at the University of Trinidad and Tobago in the Mechanical Engineering Department. He has over 22 years of industrial experience in engineering and management. His research interest is in Flexibility, Lean and Virtual Cellular Manufacturing.