<p>Mek Stans 07 is a machine developed for Tetra Pak in Lund as a 10p candidate theses project at Halmstad University. The commission behind the project involved development of a machine that punches holes in packages for the inspection division at Tetra Pak. The task for the machine was to facilitate the process of making openings for testing in the company’s other equipment.</p><p>Researches on different methods of cutting, types of automatization and possible designs were made. To implement the project a design and construction from the base where chosen. A construction based on a fully automatic design with conveyor belt powered by electric motors and a grip / centring system based on pneumatics.</p><p>The packages are placed on a conveyor belt in the machine. After that a hole is punched and the packages are emptied of its contents, all done fully automatic. Finally it’s just to remove the punched and finished packages from the other belt.</p><p>A lot of energy has been used to make the machine as automatic and easy operated as possible. A minimum of instructions are needed to operate and use the machine, it’s also built to be able to handle most of Tetra Pak’s different packages.</p><p>A centring system that is able to handle all types of packages was one off all the smart solutions that were developed. By punching the packages from below, a number of problems were solved, for example the emptying and the problem with the flaps that is punched out gets caught inside the packages. However the greatest benefit was the waters weight, inside the packaging, that assisted the punching. By its mass it held the paper in the package flat while punching.</p><p>Everything on the machine where constructed from the ground, both the mechanics and the electronics. The project has resulted in a complete and fully functional machine that will be used at the inspection division at Tetra Pak.</p><p>Tetra Pak is also interested in building another equivalent machine that their sister company Tetra Recart can use. This shows that Tetra Pak is satisfied with the result.</p>

Mek Stans 07 is a machine developed for Tetra Pak in Lund as a 10p candidate theses project at Halmstad University. The commission behind the project involved development of a machine that punches holes in packages for the inspection division at Tetra Pak. The task for the machine was to facilitate the process of making openings for testing in the company’s other equipment. Researches on different methods of cutting, types of automatization and possible designs were made. To implement the project a design and construction from the base where chosen. A construction based on a fully automatic design with conveyor belt powered by electric motors and a grip / centring system based on pneumatics. The packages are placed on a conveyor belt in the machine. After that a hole is punched and the packages are emptied of its contents, all done fully automatic. Finally it’s just to remove the punched and finished packages from the other belt. A lot of energy has been used to make the machine as automatic and easy operated as possible. A minimum of instructions are needed to operate and use the machine, it’s also built to be able to handle most of Tetra Pak’s different packages. A centring system that is able to handle all types of packages was one off all the smart solutions that were developed. By punching the packages from below, a number of problems were solved, for example the emptying and the problem with the flaps that is punched out gets caught inside the packages. However the greatest benefit was the waters weight, inside the packaging, that assisted the punching. By its mass it held the paper in the package flat while punching. Everything on the machine where constructed from the ground, both the mechanics and the electronics. The project has resulted in a complete and fully functional machine that will be used at the inspection division at Tetra Pak. Tetra Pak is also interested in building another equivalent machine that their sister company Tetra Recart can use. This shows that Tetra Pak is satisfied with the result.

<p>Preface: Establishing assembly and production facilities has traditionally constituted the possibility for companies to avoid high import duties, or a possibility to establish themselves in free-trade areas.</p><p>Purpose statement: This thesis is intended for companies that explore their possibilities to establish an assembly plant in Brazil. The aim is to try to interpret and to create an understanding concerning which factors can have an influence when relocating production activities abroad.</p><p>Research method: The basis for this study has been internal information from Tetra Pak along with literature. The study has been carried out as case study based research where interviews and articles have formed the basis for the gathering of data.</p><p>Results: For companies that want to establish long-term production, Brazil possesses the prerequisites required. However, not all areas in Brazil are adequate for establishing an assembly plant – industries are mainly concentrated to the federal states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and these are therefore the areas best suited for production activities.</p>

Preface: Establishing assembly and production facilities has traditionally constituted the possibility for companies to avoid high import duties, or a possibility to establish themselves in free-trade areas. Purpose statement: This thesis is intended for companies that explore their possibilities to establish an assembly plant in Brazil. The aim is to try to interpret and to create an understanding concerning which factors can have an influence when relocating production activities abroad. Research method: The basis for this study has been internal information from Tetra Pak along with literature. The study has been carried out as case study based research where interviews and articles have formed the basis for the gathering of data. Results: For companies that want to establish long-term production, Brazil possesses the prerequisites required. However, not all areas in Brazil are adequate for establishing an assembly plant – industries are mainly concentrated to the federal states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and these are therefore the areas best suited for production activities.

Master's thesis. / Format: PDF. Bibl.

This thesis involved Tetra Pak and corrugated cardboard suppliers in China at various locations to understand how this industry looks like, the reasons for inconsistent quality and analysis of the current state of whole industry, and recommendations for improvement. As innovation can bring competitive advantage to companies, our thesis focused upon making extended value of material flow from Tetra Pak and suppliers. The aim of this project is to investigate how strategic intelligence can create value and strengthen Tetra Pak business relationship with its customers in big emerging markets like China. Theoretical framework creates a foundation for how to structure the efficiently utilize intelligence in the decision-making process for a MNC. Another aspect of the thesis was to examine supply network management process and the supplier relationship development in China, as well as the strategic, social, macro economy aspects that influence change management in medium and large organizations. Corrugated cardboard industry in China is still in a transitioning to a mature market. One conclusion drawn from the trip to China is that the dairy producer should start emphasizing visual control on quality, and less concern on price. They should see their suppliers as long term partners but not just treat them as providers. Because it is fundamentally undercutting the ability of the organization to improve what it provides to customers through better quality and productivity. It hinders efforts from reducing cost. Finally, the research problems we focus throughout this thesis will be answered after the analysis. Moreover, we will provide some suggestions about corrugated industry and our case company-Tetra Pak.

<p>This thesis involved Tetra Pak and corrugated cardboard suppliers in China at various locations to understand how this industry looks like, the reasons for inconsistent quality and analysis of the current state of whole industry, and recommendations for improvement.</p><p>As innovation can bring competitive advantage to companies, our thesis focused upon making extended value of material flow from Tetra Pak and suppliers. The aim of this project is to investigate how strategic intelligence can create value and strengthen Tetra Pak business relationship with its customers in big emerging markets like China. Theoretical framework creates a foundation for how to structure the efficiently utilize intelligence in the decision-making process for a MNC.</p><p>Another aspect of the thesis was to examine supply network management process and the supplier relationship development in China, as well as the strategic, social, macro economy aspects that influence change management in medium and large organizations.</p><p>Corrugated cardboard industry in China is still in a transitioning to a mature market. One conclusion drawn from the trip to China is that the dairy producer should start emphasizing visual control on quality, and less concern on price. They should see their suppliers as long term partners but not just treat them as providers. Because it is fundamentally undercutting the ability of the organization to improve what it provides to customers through better quality and productivity. It hinders efforts from reducing cost.</p><p>Finally, the research problems we focus throughout this thesis will be answered after the analysis. Moreover, we will provide some suggestions about corrugated industry and our case company-Tetra Pak.</p>

TESIS PARA OPTAR AL GRADO DE MAGÍSTER EN MARKETING / Singh, Daljit [Parte I], Burillo, Michelle [Parte II] / Como trabajo final para optar por el grado de Magister en Marketing, hemos decidido realizar un Plan de Marketing para la marca Del Monte® en el mercado panameño, específicamente para el Maíz en Grano en formato Tetra Pak®, debido a la importancia que tiene la marca en esta categoría y línea de producto. En los últimos años, Del Monte® ha sufrido de escasez de varios productos procedentes de las plantas ubicadas en Estados Unidos de América, entre ellos el maíz en grano. Considerando estos factores, se desarrolló un plan para importar al mercado panameño, maíz en grano procedente de plantas de producción de Del Monte® en otras regiones, que tuvieran un diferenciador importante para el consumidor y de esta forma, desarrollar la línea. Por otro lado, la categoría de vegetales enlatados, tiene poco apoyo por parte de la mayoría de las marcas, lo que hace que las consumidoras no realicen el valor o beneficios del producto que están comprando y la versatilidad que muchos de estos productos tienen. De igual forma, la falta de dinamismo por parte de las marcas, al no innovar o renovar empaques, nuevas referencias o líneas de producto; hacen que sea más difícil crear ese compromiso entre una marca y el consumidor. Tomando en cuenta que el maíz en grano es un producto cotidiano y a la vez muy versátil, con potencial para crear contenido dinámico y de utilidad para sus consumidoras; y que la propuesta diferenciadora de Del Monte®, no ha tenido una exposición adecuada que le permita tener un crecimiento en la categoría, creemos oportuno aprovechar la oportunidad para presentar un plan que permita crear conocimiento del producto para desarrollar la línea en un corto a mediano plazo. Como líderes de la categoría, Del Monte®, debe mantenerse a la vanguardia y realizar cambios en el comportamiento de la categoría que le permitan captar la atención del target, buscando siempre ser ese aliado dinámico que les brinde solución en el momento de preparar la comida para la familia.

Biomimetic tactile sensing was previously mostly performed in medical situations, such as when locating tumors in patients’ bodies. This thesis examined the effectiveness of using a biomimetic tactile sensory equipment for examining pressure distribution throughout carton board packages, made in two different carton board qualities. The purpose was to examine to what extent biomimetic tactile sensing was able to mimic the results of a group of human test subjects evaluations. Eight packages, made from two different materials, were tested. There were four packages of each of the materials. Each package had four points where displacement measurements with a force of 6N were conducted. The packages were then measured twice on a single point on the edge of the package, with the force of 12N.  The packages at disposal were compressed using a uniaxial-tensile-testing machine alongside with the aforementioned equipment. The pressure sensitive film was placed on top of the packages and a limit on the maximum force to be applied was set on the testing machine. Two limits on the applied forces were set, the first to see the distribution of pressure within the range of elastic deformation, so that no lasting deformation would have occurred. The second force limit was set to see the moment where the elastic deformation area transformed into the plastic deformation area, to see whether or not there was a difference in the distribution of pressure pre- or post-plastic deformation. From the results from compression tests, it was clear that there was a difference in pressure distribution before and after the plastic deformation had occurred. The experimental diagrams showed that the curves were vastly different in both cases. It was also clear that there was a significant difference in the distribution of pressure, depending on if the pressure was applied closer to the middle compared to closer to the center of the package (single vs multiple concentration of forces, respectively). Inspecting results from packages made in both carton board qualities, there were no clear results as the same trends could be seen throughout the tests.  It was concluded that the BioTac could be used to accurately identify concentrations of forces, differences in pressure distribution and the location of deformation. This means that the BioTac will be useful in future experiments, when objectively evaluating and defining grip stiffness, with the help of methods such as the finite-element method. / Biomimetiskt taktilt avkännande var något som tidigare mestadels utfördes för medicinala syften, såsom för att lokalisera tumörer i patienters kroppar. Detta examensarbete undersökte effektiviteten av att använda en biomimetisk taktil avkännare för att granska tryckfördelningen genom kartongförpackningar, gjorda av material från två olika kartongkvaliteter. Totalt åtta förpackningar, gjorda av två olika material, provades. Det var fyra av varje materialtyp. Varje förpackning mättes på fyra punkter med 6N och sedan två gånger på samma punkt med 12N. Förpackningarna till förfogande trycktes ihop med en enaxlad drag- och tryckprovare samt den tidigare nämnda avkännaren. En tryckkänslig film användes mellan avkännaren och förpackningen för att tydligt se tryckfördelningen på alla förpackningarna. Två gränser på den maximala tillåtna kraften upprättades i tryckmaskinen, 6N och 12N. Den lägre nivån sattes för att undersöka tryckfördelningen inom det elastiska deformationsområdet, utan att en kvarstående plastisk deformation uppstått. Den högre gränsen sattes för att undersöka skedet där det elastiska deformationsområdet övergår till det plastiska. Båda gränsvärdena valdes för att undersöka om det gick att urskilja en skillnad i tryckfördelningen innan och efter plastisk deformation, eller inte.  Från resultaten av dessa kompressionstest var det tydligt att det fanns en skillnad i tryckfördelning före och efter den plastiska deformationen uppstått. De uppställda diagrammen visade att kurvorna var mycket annorlunda i båda fallen. Det var, dessutom, relativt tydligt att det fanns en skillnad i tryckfördelning beroende av om trycket var applicerat närmre mitten av paketet jämfört med om det var applicerat närmre kanten av paketet (enskilda kraftkoncentrationer vid mitten av förpackningarna och multipla koncentrationer vid kanten av förpackningarna). Genom att undersöka resultat från förpackningar gjorda av båda kartongkvaliteter, upptäcktes ingen tydlig skillnad i förpackningarna, då liknande trender uppstod i båda materialen. Slutsatsen drogs att BioTac kunde användas för att finna kraftkoncentrationer, skillnader i tryckfördelning, samt området för deformation. Detta betyder att BioTac-sensorn kan vara nyttig vid framtida experiment, för att objektivt utvärdera och definiera greppstyvhet, med metoder som finita-element-metoden.

Background: For companies operating globally, expatriates represent a knowledge resource. When different ways of thinking, different experiences and ideas meet, new ideas and knowledge are created. Managers who have lived and worked abroad make an essential addition to the range of ideas and experiences that a company can make use of. While going on an international assignment offers the opportunity to acquire knowledge, finishing one, and moving on, offers the opportunity to transfer this knowledge and utilize it in the organization. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how a global corporation utilizes the knowledge its expatriates gain during international assignments. Realization: We have looked at utilization of expatriates’ knowledge at Tetra Pak from both the HR managers’ and the expatriates’ point of view. We conducted five interviews with HR managers and sent out questionnaires to 60 expatriates, of which 21 replied. Conclusion: Knowledge management is highly topical at Tetra Pak right now. To open up for learning and to spread knowledge are priorities. Utilization of expatriates’ knowledge can be looked at on two levels, the individual- and the organizational level. On the individual level, it is very much a question of career management. On the organizational level, it is a matter of knowledge transfer and sharing. Transfer of knowledge in general is very much intended at Tetra Pak, but there is no focus on expatriates’ knowledge. Knowledge sharing on the other hand, seems to more or less “just happen”, it is a matter of learning by accident rather than intent.