Manufacturing Productivity Improvement Is Important

Manufacturing Productivity Improvement is important in reducing costs and achieving greater productivity within existing facilities. This is one of keys to softening the impact of what companies are going through during these uncertain economic times. There is quite a bit of research that is being done in order to improve processing in manufacturing in order to achieve successful results. In a study done by Hashimoto, Matsui, Matsuno, Nansai, Murakami and Moriguchi (2008), an analysis was done that emphasized decomposing resource-use intensity into the factors of recycling. They found that although the effects of recycling were not great, the increased recycling of nonmetallic minerals contributed to a decline in resource use.

Bryson, Taylor and Cooper (2008) conducted a review of the lock industry in the West Midlands (UK), in which they found that firms have developed inimitability strategies based around design, expertise, specialization, customization and nearness to market that assist them in maintaining their revenue and profit streams. The continued survival of these lock firms was based on the development of product-based competitive advantage combined with locational advantage and supported by efficient, responsive and customer-focused manufacturing processes.

Wen-Ruey Lee, Mario and Chiu (2007) conducted a review of the mathematical relationship between quality and productivity. A study that involved two manufacturing industries was conducted to confirm applicability and validity of this model. Given that the model is based on profit, the results of this study substantiate the belief that quality and productivity improvement can produce increases in profit and are thus worthy of emphasis by engineers and managers as well as engineering economics researchers.

Total Productive Maintenance

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) seeks to involve workers at all levels, from the shop floor to senior executives, to ensure effective equipment operation. Its goal is to reduce emergency and unscheduled maintenance to a minimum, eliminate all losses such as breakdowns, adjustment losses and defects, and rework, and ultimately achieve, zero equipment breakdowns and zero product defects, leading to improved utilization of production assets and plant capacity. Aiquang (2007) conducted a review of Bosch Group, the global supplier of automotive, building and industrial technology as well as consumer goods. Before implanting TPM they spent several hours in solving machine/equipment problems, while the operators and line leaders did not know how to assist them.