En modell för upphandling av produktionsutrustning enligt Design för Sex Sigma En studie av upphandling på A-fabriken Volvo Cars Torslanda

Abstract

Problem
The procurement of a complete factory, including the design, manufacturing and installation,
is a common way for automotive producers when acquiring new production equipment for
new models. Due to the long lead times of a procurement process, the process has to
commence well before the finalisation of the design of the car to be built. This makes the
formulation of requirements very complex. It is of great importance to be able to formulate
relevant requirements, and that these requirements can be verified after the installation of the
equipment. This is the most critical activity to assure that the delivered equipment will be able
to meet production goals in a resource-efficient manner.
Purpose
The purpose of the thesis is to examine the possibility of exploiting the methodology and the
tools from Design for Six Sigma, to achieve a more efficient requirements and verification
process. The work also includes assessing the gains of using Life Cycle Cost, LCC, as a merit
of evaluation between different suppliers. The aim is to present a model that demonstrates
how DFSS-methodology and LCC can be used in the acquisition of production equipment.
Methodology
The thesis is based on a case study at the A-shop at the Torslanda plant of Volvo Car
Corporation. Interviews has also been made with staff at Systecon AB and Alfa Laval AB.
There has been a focus on theoretical studies in predominantly Design for Six Sigma. The
empirical research has been conducted using solely qualitative methods.
Results
The results of the thesis show potential areas of improvement in the procurement process. The
realisation of these improvements using DFSS is analysed. The main areas that have been
identified are firstly to be able to use functional requirements in the contract. Secondly to be
able to compute the Life Cycle Cost of the equipment, and subsequently to be able to use
LCC in the requirements process. Thirdly to develop a collaborative development of the
related maintenance concept, in order to make it more efficient and to eradicate the need for
reengineering the concept proposed by the supplier. The use of Design for Six Sigma can help
to reduce lead times, mainly for commissioning and verification of the equipment, due to
more resources being committed to the early phases of the project. The effects of the cut lead
times would be that the contract can be signed at a later stage, where the product design is
more finalised, and hence reduce the risk of late design changes. The focus on maintenance
issues early in the process can reduce future reliability problems. The results of the thesis are
summarised in a model that describes how to use the DFSS method in procurement of
equipment. This model is intended as a recommendation how the ideas could be introduced in
a procurement project.
Conclusions
The structured methodology of the model will lead to requirements that are related to real
needs and that can be easily verified. This increases the effectiveness of the requirements to
assure that the needs are satisfied. The model proposes collaboration in maintenance planning,
which means that less resources has to be spent to achieve an efficient maintenance concept.
The cut lead times will reduce the risk of late design changes that can have a large financial
implication. It should be considered that the effectiveness of the model has not yet been
verified in a procurement project.

• author: Bengtsson, Maria and Mosesson, Jakob
• supervisor: Bertil Nilsson
• organization: Production Management
• course: MIO920
• year: 2005
• type: M1 - University Diploma
• subject: Technology and Engineering
• keywords: Design for Six Sigma, procurement, production equipment, Life Cycle Cost, Quality Function Deployment, procurement model
• other publication id: 05/5231
• language: Swedish
• id: 2006320
• date added to LUP: 2011-06-29 15:13:52
• date last changed: 2011-06-29 15:13:52