Transforming a traditional manufacturing system into a just-in-time system with kanban

ABSTRACT

Traditional manufacturing systems, characterized by many U.S. firms, are known for maintaining relatively high levels of raw material, work-in-process, and finished goods inventories as a hedge against uncertainty in supplier delivery and quality, production rates and quality, and customer demand. Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing systems, characterized by many Japanese firms, are outperforming their U.S. counterparts by using Kanban production control in concert with many other more commonplace operations management techniques. Many U.S. firms have attempted to imitate Japanese methods in piecemeal fashion with limited success perhaps due to a failure to understand JIT as a comprehensive system and philosophy. An excellent means of developing a better understanding of JIT manufacturing and to begin implementing JIT within an existing traditional system is through the use of computer simulation. This paper presents a rationale of JIT and an example of using GPSS/PCtm simulation to study the effects of adopting JIT with Kanban production control in an actual U.S. manufacturing environment. This methodology should be applicable to other traditional manufacturing systems desiring to better understand and implement JIT.

References

1. Aquilano, N. J. and Chase. R. B. (1985) PrQdu~tlon anc~ u peratlons Manaqement. MicharO D. Irwin, Inc. HomewooO. llinois.
2. Byrd, J., Jr. (1988). A just-In-time implementation strategy at work. Industrial Ma~aQement 30, 8-I(~.
3. Chapman, S. and Schminke. M. (1988). Organizatlon theory and implementing OIT: understanding why as well as what anO bow. UnDubl ished Proceedings Paper. 1988 Annual Meetl rigs of the Academy of Management. Anaheim. Cali4ornla.
4. Ebrahimpour. M. and Lee. S. M. (1987) . Just- In-Time. Manaqement Decision 25. 50-54.
5. Kelton. W. D. and Law. A. M. (1982). Simulation ModelinQ and Analysls. McGraw-Hill Book Com0any. New York.
6. Lubben. R. I . (1988) . Just-In-Time Manu~acturinq: An Aqqressive Manu+acturinQ Strateqy. McGraw-Hi ii Book Company, New York.
7. Myers. M. S. (1988) . Let just-in-time mend your split culture. Industrial Manaqement 30. 11-18.
8. Schri Oer, T. J. (1974) . Si mul ati on Using GPSS. John-Wiley & Sons, New York.

Index Terms

• Applied computing

  • Enterprise computing

  • Operations research

    • Industry and manufacturing

  • Physical sciences and engineering

    • Engineering

• Computing methodologies

  • Modeling and simulation

    • Simulation evaluation