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Material Flow Analysis – A Case and Simulation Study

Holmgren, Fredrik LU (2019) MTTM05 20191
Engineering Logistics
Abstract
Title: Material Flow Analysis – A Case and Simulation Study.

Background: The case company, i.e., Volvo Cars is about to make changes in their supply chain setup by implementing a cross-dock within the EMEA region which will affect the supplying frequency of articles to the production facility in Torslanda, Gothenburg. Due to these upcoming supply chain modifications, Volvo requested a performance reevaluation of their logistical setup and material flow situation within a specific segment, i.e., TC within the production facility in Torslanda.

Problem Description:
While performing this reevaluation, some logistical inefficiencies were encountered that according to the management department required further investigation, analysis... (More)
Title: Material Flow Analysis – A Case and Simulation Study.

Background: The case company, i.e., Volvo Cars is about to make changes in their supply chain setup by implementing a cross-dock within the EMEA region which will affect the supplying frequency of articles to the production facility in Torslanda, Gothenburg. Due to these upcoming supply chain modifications, Volvo requested a performance reevaluation of their logistical setup and material flow situation within a specific segment, i.e., TC within the production facility in Torslanda.

Problem Description:
While performing this reevaluation, some logistical inefficiencies were encountered that according to the management department required further investigation, analysis and preferably suggestions of logistical setup improvement before performing the supply chain modifications. The current logistical setup inefficiencies mainly regards the unsynchronized material flow deliveries and inadequate goods receiving locations both of which consequently increases the delivery distances significantly.

Objective:
The purpose of this master thesis is to map and analyze the current logistical setup, identify problems with- and construct suggestions of improvement for the specific material flow within Volvo Cars production plant in Torslanda, Gothenburg.

Research Questions:
RQ1: How does the current state of the logistical setup look?
RQ2: What are the problems with the current logistical setup?
RQ3: How are the eventual problems with the logistical setup affecting the material flow?
RQ4: How should the logistical setup be restructured in order to improve the material flow?

Methodology:
The methodological path that have been followed throughout the project has been done so with the sole purpose in answering the stated research questions and fulfilling the overall thesis objective. Accordingly, the project has been conducted as a case and simulation study by the utilization of an abductive methodology where both quantitative archive data and qualitative information from respective interview session has contributed to the empirical findings and the overall conclusion.

Conclusion:
The concluded findings in this thesis project regards suggestions of logistical setup and material flow improvements through synchronized material flow, adequate goods receiving locations and zone-divided distribution. (Less)
Popular Abstract
The manufacturing industry of today are more than ever experiencing the continuous change in technology, increase in mobility and impact of globalization.
For many global acting companies, these changes provides both increased competition and privileged business opportunities1, however, the logistics management role and responsibilities are due to these matters becoming more and more complex, thus the need for decision-support has become more important than ever.
But what type of decision-supporting phenomenon exists within this type of industry and how could it ease the logistics management complexity?
One answer to that question is Simulation!
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Holmgren, Fredrik LU
supervisor
organization
course
MTTM05 20191
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Material flow analysis, Synchronized material flow, Logistics, Lean, Material handling, Gemba, Spaghetti chart processes, Fishbone diagram, Cause and effect analysis, Pareto analysis, Simulation, Proplanner, Flow Planner.
report number
5879
language
English
id
8973789
date added to LUP
2019-04-01 13:00:02
date last changed
2019-04-01 13:00:02
@misc{8973789,
  abstract     = {{Title: Material Flow Analysis – A Case and Simulation Study.

Background: The case company, i.e., Volvo Cars is about to make changes in their supply chain setup by implementing a cross-dock within the EMEA region which will affect the supplying frequency of articles to the production facility in Torslanda, Gothenburg. Due to these upcoming supply chain modifications, Volvo requested a performance reevaluation of their logistical setup and material flow situation within a specific segment, i.e., TC within the production facility in Torslanda. 

Problem Description: 
While performing this reevaluation, some logistical inefficiencies were encountered that according to the management department required further investigation, analysis and preferably suggestions of logistical setup improvement before performing the supply chain modifications. The current logistical setup inefficiencies mainly regards the unsynchronized material flow deliveries and inadequate goods receiving locations both of which consequently increases the delivery distances significantly.

Objective: 
The purpose of this master thesis is to map and analyze the current logistical setup, identify problems with- and construct suggestions of improvement for the specific material flow within Volvo Cars production plant in Torslanda, Gothenburg. 

Research Questions:
RQ1: How does the current state of the logistical setup look? 
RQ2: What are the problems with the current logistical setup? 
RQ3: How are the eventual problems with the logistical setup affecting the material flow? 
RQ4: How should the logistical setup be restructured in order to improve the material flow? 

Methodology: 
The methodological path that have been followed throughout the project has been done so with the sole purpose in answering the stated research questions and fulfilling the overall thesis objective. Accordingly, the project has been conducted as a case and simulation study by the utilization of an abductive methodology where both quantitative archive data and qualitative information from respective interview session has contributed to the empirical findings and the overall conclusion. 

Conclusion:
The concluded findings in this thesis project regards suggestions of logistical setup and material flow improvements through synchronized material flow, adequate goods receiving locations and zone-divided distribution.}},
  author       = {{Holmgren, Fredrik}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Material Flow Analysis – A Case and Simulation Study}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}