1. ARTICLE CRITIQUE The influence of work-cells and facility layout on the manufacturing efficiency, Journal of Facilities Management.
1.
Introduction
This purpose of this paper is to critique the article ‘The influence of
work-cells and facility layout on the manufacturing efficiency’ written by SeyedMahmoud Aghazadeh, Saeedreza Hafeznezami, Lotfollah Najjar and Ziaul
Huq. This paper will first summaries the article. Secondly, it will briefly critique
the article. Thirdly is the conclusion of the entire article critique. Overall the
article was well written, clear and relevant.
2.
Summary of the article
It was made clear in the abstract that this article analyses the use of
product-oriented layout and a work-cell strategy in order to maximise
efficiency. The purpose of the study was made clear in the introduction
whereby authors start plainly that with labour costs low in foreign
manufacturing, domestic manufacturers must turn to the design of the layout in
the facility in order to increase efficiency. Data was collected via a model that
using 26 weeks of data between the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first quarter
of 2010 during layout transformations at the case study company based in
upstate New York. The findings from this study indicate that there is a strong
correlation between the variables improved at both the cell-structures and the
product-structures of the facility and the overall efficiency of the manufacturing
facility itself. The authors had concluded that redesign of the work-cells and
other sections of the facility such as storage can lead to an increase in
efficiency.
3.
Article critique
The authors had succeeded to discover the case study company’s
large process-layout problems. Conversely, after reading the abstract and the
findings, I would be expecting that the authors will formulate comparison with
other manufacturers’ layout before come to a decision on choosing a model in
order to overcome the process-layout problems. I believe that the comparison
allows the authors to recommend few layout models accordingly. Besides,
there are various studies have been conducted focusing on the “facility layout
problem,” yet thorough analyses of the redesigning of layout in regards to
efficiency are not as available. Instead, an understanding of the topic was
derived through sources focusing on the specificities of manufacturing layout.
The authors manage to show that an overall higher efficiency allows for
the facility to handle much larger workloads and also drives down both shortrun and long-run costs. The outcomes also allow for a suggestive redesign of
the facility in order to further maximise efficiency. However, it was found that
the amount of time a product remains in each cell on the assembly line does
not have an effect on the overall output of diesel engines.
The author clearly outlined the layout efficiency through redesigns and
layout using work-cells in a product-oriented environment. I would interpret that
this article would be useful to manufacturers that having low variability in their
product and having the ability to use work-cell layout within their facility.
4.
Conclusion
This paper has both summarized and critiques the article. The content,
strengths and limitations of the article were analyzed and critiqued. To
conclude, I would suggest that this article should lie in comparison with more
than one company in a similar business for a better assumption to maximise
efficiency withstand a greater capacity and will ultimately lead to improved
production results. The authors suggested redesign of the facility by using
product-oriented layout and a work-cell strategy but fail to acknowledged
possibility of rebuilding an entirely new facility.
References
Emerald | The influence of work-cells and facility layout on ... (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/case_studies.htm
/journals.htm?articleid=1939419&show=html
Seyed-Mahmoud Aghazadeh, Saeedreza Hafeznezami, Lotfollah Najjar, Ziaul
Huq, (2011). "The influence of work-cells and facility layout on the
manufacturing efficiency", Journal of Facilities Management, Vol. 9 Iss: 3,
pp.213 - 224.