Material Handling, Inventory and Productivity Improvement - A Lean Six Sigma Approach Case Study

Wa-Muzemba Anselm Tshibangu

2014

Abstract

This paper describes a two-step strategic-tactical Lean Six Sigma methodology as used by the author to improve productivity, enhance inventory and material handling management, and thus, reduce operational costs at “Down Town Press Inc.”, a commercial printing press located in New York State, USA. A close look at the company’s performance revealed a troubling picture with only 51 % utilization of personnel, nearly $40,000 of invested capital underutilized annually, and an excess of monthly inventory costs of almost $29,000. This study was conducted to help the company avoid a fatal bankruptcy and regain financial prosperity. First, a strategic Six Sigma DMAIC procedure approach is deployed to better understand the deep turmoil faced by Down Town Press Inc. Second, a more tactical Lean approach is applied to identify various wastes and propose a set of techniques, technologies and strategies to reduce or eliminate the identified wastes, and thus, reduce operational costs. The continuous improvement changes proposed at the conclusion of the study suggest a possible reduction of $300,000 in yearly operational capital. Furthermore, with the implementation of the proposed Inventory Management integrated with a comprehensive Material Handling Management System, the study predicts a higher utilization of employees and, therefore, an increased productivity.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Anselm Tshibangu W. (2014). Material Handling, Inventory and Productivity Improvement - A Lean Six Sigma Approach Case Study . In Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics - Volume 2: ICINCO, ISBN 978-989-758-040-6, pages 700-707. DOI: 10.5220/0005025307000707

in Bibtex Style

@conference{icinco14,
author={Wa-Muzemba Anselm Tshibangu},
title={Material Handling, Inventory and Productivity Improvement - A Lean Six Sigma Approach Case Study},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics - Volume 2: ICINCO,},
year={2014},
pages={700-707},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0005025307000707},
isbn={978-989-758-040-6},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics - Volume 2: ICINCO,
TI - Material Handling, Inventory and Productivity Improvement - A Lean Six Sigma Approach Case Study
SN - 978-989-758-040-6
AU - Anselm Tshibangu W.
PY - 2014
SP - 700
EP - 707
DO - 10.5220/0005025307000707