Thomas Weber 
Flow charts and various process flow diagrams (PFD) fill countless pages in quality management manuals. All too often, they are smiled at as management wallpaper, and almost everyone knows that things work differently in practice anyway than they are theoretically painted on the brown paper in the production manager’s office. But where does the desire … Read more
Anyone who is responsible for production, logistics, or IE in their organization may already have experienced that end-to-end layout planning in 3D still seems problematic despite the companies’ extensive digitization activities. Indeed, these and comparable technical aspects must be taken into account. Nevertheless, they could distract from organizational necessities. After all, functioning systems consist not … Read more
Regarding material handling in the industry, thoughts quickly turn to logistical equipment and the associated optimization issues. But hasn’t the proverbial baby already fallen into the well when aspects of logistical solutions come into focus? After all, logistical requirements are preceded by their causes. Those who know them and work on them consistently will also … Read more
Of course, the questioning title of this blog is rhetorical. Because in recent decades, both the way plant floor plans are created and their potential benefits have changed considerably. The reason for this – you guessed it – is the developments in IT and digitization. The impact of digitization on plant floor plans If we … Read more
The ability to align strategic decisions with a long-term philosophy If you are looking for the best strategy for a company, you quickly end up with Toyota’s policy. The “Toyota Way” has not only become a bestseller, but also a buzzword for strategic decision-making – a role model, and not just for large companies. Read … Read more
AGVs (automated guided vehicles) are also on everyone’s lips when it comes to forward-looking logistics concepts. Driverless is often seen as the next, higher goal after forkliftless. In lean management, however, tugger trains are the means of choice. Are AGVs now making tugger trains obsolete? In terms of transport history, the development in the 20th … Read more
Assembly lines within one-piece-flow (OPF work systems) are very popular in assembly planning. Great advantages are associated with this in lean production. In this context, particular mention should be made of the following: Short lead times, low inventories, good possibilities of automation also with the use of (collaborating) robots, continuous production and last but not … Read more
Very many, if not most, planning projects in industry involve restructuring the manufacturing site: So space for manufacturing is needed somewhere, and often there is even space available somewhere else in the facility. If the new asset fits where the old equipment is moving, replacing it quickly appears to be the most practical and cost-effective … Read more
Lean production methods and lean management traditionally focus on continuous improvement (KAIZEN). Many lean methods therefore logically focus on discovering waste in existing processes. In this way, they trigger the continuous improvement process in the company. In factory planning, on the other hand, completely new productions are created on the drawing board. Innovative processes are … Read more