Date of Award

5-1992

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Abstract

This thesis is a case study of a wood products manufacturing facility - the Clawson Manufacturing Company. The study included a three month on-site field investigation focusing on manufacturing processes and material flow related to facility design and plant organization.

The purpose of this study is to attain knowledge on increasing the efficiency of product flow operations of the Clawson Manufacturing Company and to gain insight on possible improvements in manufacturing productivity.

The design of this study consisted of a definition of the enterprise to be studied, preparation of an instrument, collection of data, and analysis of data.

The data gathering instruments used in this study were two standard analysis forms found commonly in industrial engineering and facility design: The production chart and the relationship chart.

Analysis was based on criteria using both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed through the charts and graphs showing: distance, time, associative relationship and type of activity. Qualitative data analysis takes into account the integral parts of the organized system on a holistic basis. Conclusions obtained from the study were that although Clawson Manufacturing is a very internally stable firm with an appreciable future, numerous recommendations for improvement in manufacturing capability were gained from the investigation. Some of the "problem area" modifications were implemented while the analysis was in progress and technical assistance in the planning of the facility improvement was rendered by the investigator.

These design modifications alone should significantly improve the manufacturing capabilities of Clawson Manufacturing. Directors of the firm will control implementation of any suggestions resulting from the study. Recommendations for further study are that a follow-up study be conducted with the Clawson Manufacturing Company in order to maintain continuous improvements for the company and to measure this case study analysis in terms of longevity research. An additional recommendation is that a similar study be conducted with other firms.

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