The effects of the scope of plant layout conversion on manufacturing cell design processes and outcomes

One of major research issues in cellular manufacturing is studying factors that are favorable or detrimental to the conversion of traditional functional layouts to GT cellular layouts. Among many factors, this paper explored plausible relationships between the scope of plant conversion and the manufacturing cell design processes and outcomes. The cell design practices of 28 U.S. plants were surveyed through a mail questionnaire. While most relationships were not statistically significant, some interesting findings and insights could be drawn. With this research, a part of relationships between the company’s conversion strategy and the cell design strategies and outcomes can be better understood.