Government regulations and customs duties restrict the import of trucks to some of the markets to which Scania tries to sell their trucks. The distribution problem due to these regulations is solved by the foreign assembly department, KD, at Scania. This means that competence is needed and costs are added not related to Scania?s core operations.
The aim of this master thesis has been to analyse and to evaluate alternative ways of managing the packing operations considering cost, quality and work organisation. To study and examine the work methods and operations of today and also to present methods measuring the operations effectiveness and productivity.
We have used the system approach to maintain totality and to understand the component?s relation to this totality. Field studies combined with studies of relevant literature and studies of other companies operations have given us the knowledge and the understanding of the packing operations needed. We started with a broad perspective which as time went by went over to a more narrow perspective and to a more problem focused study.
The study has come to some conclusions and recommendations. These are listed below.
Material flow
Reduce the material flow to the packing area.
? Standard material should be directed to the spare parts department for packing
? Rim, fuel tank and air deflector suppliers should do the packing. The material should then be transported to the point of consolidation
? The Components should be packed at the component?s assembly area
? The Engines should be packed at the engine manufacturing area
Better control of material flows from the storage facilities.
? Fixed time control of material delivery
? The storage facilities should only deliver full material containers
? Transport the surplus of material to the truck assembly
Change the external transports
? After being packed, the gearbox should be transported directly to the current harbour
? Move the axle packing to Södertälje
? Use the harbour in Göteborg as a point of consolidation
? Start a close co-operation with one transport company which can take full responsibility for the whole distribution to the customers
Layout
? Establish two stations, one for the packing- and one for the picking operations
? Create a layout and a material flow that is similar to the assembly line with the boxes in the middle and the material along the sides
? Let the material move and the packing material, the boxes, remain
? The material flow to the packing- and the picking operations should go by roll conveyors
? Label checking should be done as today at the packing- and the picking area. The material should be delivered with its labels
Packaging materials
? Use larger boxes
? Use a sheet to reduce problems with ergonomics...
