RACHELLE S.

LIM
MBA-JD, Operations Management

1. What analytical techniques are available to help company like Wheeled

Coach deal with layout problems?

Every manufacturing company like Wheeled Coach must consider the

best layout strategy that will fit their business in order to maximize
profit. Layout design must achieve higher utilization of space,
equipment and people, improve the flow of information, materials or
people, improve employee morale and safer working conditions,
improve customer/client interaction, and flexibility.

A good layout requires determination of material handling equipment.

Capacity and space requirements must also be met, only when
personnel, machines, and equipment are known can a manager decide
with the layout and provide space for each component. Environment
and aesthetics must also be considered like decisions on windows,
planters and height of partition in order to facilitate air flow.
Communication is also important and must be facilitated by the layout.
Lastly, cost of moving between various work areas is also a point to
consider.

With all these in mind, Wheeled Coach will be able to address their
problem regarding facility layout.

2. What suggestions would you make to Bob Collins about his layout?

Bob Collins should address the problem in the assembly line, as seen in
the video, the assembly line looks like a controlled chaos. Putting this
stage of production in order should be given focus, particularly the
problem with balancing the right number of workers and tasks at each
workstation. While the components of the ambulance is made in
different work cells, the product-oriented layout of the assembly line
should as much as possible minimize the imbalance. The management
should create a smooth and continuous flow with minimum of idle at
each workstation. In order that each ambulance is produced at
specified rate, management should know the equipment, tools and
work methods used, and the time requirement for each task must be
determined. The management should come up with precedence chart
to determine what task should be done first before the others and how
much time should be needed to finish the task.

Balancing can be achieved by assigning specific assembly task to each

workstation. This can be done by determining the units required per
day and divide it into the productive time available per day. Then
calculate the theoretical minimum number of workstations.

3. How would you measure the efficiency of this layout?

The abovementioned product-oriented layout can be proven effective if
the required assembly is completed in time, the specified sequence is
followed and the idle time at each work station is minimized. It is also
considered efficient if the company saves time and money compared
from the previous layout.