Article ID: | iaor201525860 |
Volume: | 15 |
Issue: | 2 |
Start Page Number: | 215 |
End Page Number: | 236 |
Publication Date: | Mar 2015 |
Journal: | International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management |
Authors: | Hiraki Shusaku |
Keywords: | supply & supply chains, management, manufacturing industries, scheduling |
This paper proposes a method to address a mixed‐model sequencing problem that currently exists in automobile manufacturing. From the standpoint of supply chain management, we proposed a new sequencing method that aims at: 1) levelling the workloads for each process on an assembly line; 2) maintaining a constant rate of production for all the parts in the production process; 3) meeting delivery dates of distributors when the final products are delivered by specialised shipping vessels. In order to simultaneously satisfy these three goals, a two‐stage approach is proposed. First, by dividing the production period into shorter periods, the production volume of each product is determined for each of these shorter periods to maintain a constant rate of parts usage and meet the delivery date to distributors. Next, a production schedule is established for each period to realise smoother production on the assembly line.