Examensarbetet är utfört vid Institutionen för teknik och naturvetenskap (ITN) vid Tekniska fakulteten, Linköpings universitet

Inefficient use of resources occurs in many industries, including both time and materials being wasted. A theory which has been used for a long time to reduce waste of resources in all supply chains is the SCM theory. The aim of SCM is mainly to guide the different components of a supply chain, so at the end of the process generate a value for the end-customer as great as possible. An important aspect of SCM is logistics, which to some extent relates to managing and making the usage of resources more efficient, with the goal of reducing waste. The construction industry has previously been under scrutiny for their lack of ambition regarding the improvement of the current course of action, and implementation of well-functioning logistics in their activities. One solution which has been used is Lean Construction, a branch of Toyota’s Lean-theory.  This report has been written with the study conducted by Josephson and Saukkoriipi as a benchmark. Josephson and Saukkoriipi studied potential wastes in the construction industry by utilizing field research. The target for this case study is Ebbepark in Linköping, a construction site for a new district in the city. The district contains a variety of buildings, including private housing and schools. The project group has chosen to make a follow up study of Josephson and Saukkoriipi’s research with the goal of identifying waste of resources and their potential effects on Ebbepark, as well as propose solutions. To establish areas of improvement, the study was done in three steps by using surveys, observations and interviews, as inspired by Josephson and Saukkoriipi’s methods. These particular steps were used since they complement each other well, to create a broader view of how the construction site works. The data extracted from these three methods were then examined using literature to find potential solutions for reducing wastes at Ebbepark.  In the sense that Josephson and Saukkoriipi’s report represents the construction industry as it was in 2005, clear improvements have been observed in this case. E.g., in the matter of the construction workers' hours, the number of wasteful activities has been reduced from 33% to 13%. Although there were clear improvements, there were still some areas where waste could be identified. E.g., large volumes of material were stored at the construction site, which might lead to increased workload and risk of damaged material. Fill rate during transport was low, as well as breaks being lengthy. The study concluded with the recommendation that improvements could be made using different aspects of Lean construction and SCM.

Logistik handlar om att skapa produktiva materialflöden genom att planera, styra och organisera alla aktiviteter i materialflödet, från råvaruköp till produktanvändning. Logistik innefattar många delar av företaget såsom transporter, lager, marknadsföring och ekonomi. Nobia Production Sweden är ett företag baserat i Tidaholm som tillverkar kök. Marknadsläget går mot ett bredare sortiment av köksluckor för att tillfredsställa kundbehovet. Detta har lett till att företaget har identifierat några problem med det nuvarande nyttjandet av lagerytan såsom platsbrist, ökade transporter, förseningar och felplock. Syftet med projektet var att identifiera problem med nuvarande användning av företagets lageryta samt föreslå och evaluera relevanta förbättringsförslag. Projektet är begränsat till företagets centrallager. För att uppnå syftet med projektet skulle ett antal delmål uppnås. Delmålen var detaljerad problemanalys, framställa en nulägesanalys genom intervjuer, observationer och klockstudier, alternativa förbättringsmetoder samt föreslå och evaluera förbättringsförslag. Den teoretiska referensram och litteraturstudien har använts som grund för att fördjupa kunskaper samt identifiera vilka metoder och verktyg som ska nyttjas genom arbetet. En kartläggning genomfördes för att ha en grund till väsentlig datainsamling för att uppnå syftet och delmålen. Med hjälp av datainsamlingsverktyg framtogs en nulägesanalys som gav en helhetsbild av området vilket var intervjuer, klockstudier, observationer enligt Genchi Genbutsu och spaghettidiagram. Resultaten av metoderna hjälpte till att få djupare förståelse kring materialflödet och vad som kan förbättras. Förbättringsförslagen som framtogs är lösningar grundade på projektets metoder och verktyg som är kopplat till den teoretiska referensramen. Förbättringsförslagen innefattar en ABC-klassificering, addition av extra lagervåning samt strukturerade plockrutter i lagret. Resultaten av förbättringsförslagen kommer att medföra en minskning på onödiga transportsträckor samt utnyttjande av befintliga lagerytor på ett effektivare sätt. Spaghettidiagrammen visar att plocktiden minskades med 28-47 % inom lagret. Om ABC-klassificeringen implementeras kommer hanteringskostnaderna minskas med 28 %. / Logistics is about creating productive material flows by planning, controlling and organizing all activities inthe material flow, from raw material purchases to product use. Logistics includes many parts of the company such as transport, warehousing, marketing association and finance. Nobia Production Sweden is a company based in Tidaholm that manufactures kitchens. The marketsituation is moving towards a wider range of kitchen doors to satisfy customer needs. This has led the company to identify some problems with the current use of the storage space, such as lack of space, increased transport, delays and incorrect picking. The purpose of the project was to identify problems with the current use of the company's warehouse space and to propose and evaluate relevant improvement proposals. The project is limited to the company's central warehouse. In order to achieve the purpose ofthe project, a number of sub-goals are set. The sub-goals were detailed problem analysis, presenting acurrent situation analysis through interviews, observations and clock studies, alternative improvement methods and evaluation of them. The theoretical frame of reference and the literature study have been used as a basis for deepening knowledge and identifying which methods and tools are to be used through the work. Mapping of the material flow was conducted to have a basis for significant data collection to achieve the purpose and subgoals. A current situation analysis was produced by using data collection tools that provided an overall picture of the area. The data collection tools during the study where interviews, clock studies, observations according to Genchi Genbutsu and spaghetti diagram. The results of the methods helped to gain a deeper understanding of the material flow and what can be improved. The improvement proposals that were produced are solutions based on the project's methods and tools that are linked to the theoretical frame of reference. The improvement proposals include an ABC-classification, picking from one more height and structured picking routes in the warehouse. The results of the improvement proposals will lead to a reduction in unnecessary transport distances and the utilization of existing storage space in an efficient manner. The spaghetti diagrams show that the picking time is reduced by 28-47% within the warehouse. If the ABC classification implements, handling costs will be reduced by 28%.

Background: The debate about the existence of Maastricht Aachen Airport (MAA) has received great media presence in the past years. The subject involves many stakeholders from various perspectives, while focusing on the politicians of Limburg and the government of the region representing the sole shareholder of the airport. Purpose: The limited availability of neutral data regarding MAA created the urge for an unbiased research. The purpose of the research is to generate a political oriented overview of perceptions and values related to MAA that aids in determining the airport’s future by including various stakeholders of the region. Method: A deductive approach has been chosen in order to execute the research, whilst focusing on Freeman’s Stakeholder Theory as a foundation. Qualitative semi-structured interviews have been conducted with seven politicians from six different political parties of the government of Limburg. Furthermore, the director of MAA has been interviewed, as well as a great number of inhabitants. These stakeholders have been identified due to their influential- and voting power with regards to the research purpose. Conclusion: MAA is a regional airport with national significance, which adds value through its cargo handling. As other airports are reaching their maximum capacity in the Netherlands, there is an enhanced prospective for MAA in the future on the field of cargo. Its passenger flight value is limited due to the number of alternative airports in its direct vicinity. The current strategy of MAA depends on political decisions related to campaign promises rather than neutral qualitative and quantitative research. A complete Social Cost and Benefit Analysis would create a well-structured view on the existence of the airport and would aid in determining the position of the national government with regards to potential financial support and decision influence.

Lean is a method used mainly in assembly manufacturing to streamline production by eliminating various types of waste. The use of Lean in the process industry is currently limited. Some critics say, the use of the tools in Lean is very limited, while others argue that the approach of the method needs to be adapted to the conditions that exist in the process industry. Since Lean aims to eliminate waste, there is a tool called value stream map that is used to map material and information flow to identify waste in the manufacturing industry. The thesis was conducted as a case study at BillerudKorsnäs Karlsborg's paper production, where the purpose was to investigate how value stream mapping can be applied in the paper industry, with the aim of identifying and eliminating non-value-creating activities. While performing the value stream map, several problem areas were identified within the information and material flow. The most important were considered maintenance of the production equipment as well as product and material handling. This led, among other things, to recommendations for expanding finished goods inventory and introducing better documentation, to create inventory management strategies to reduce inventory levels in material inventories. Following a value stream map, it was also concluded that the applicability of the tool was considered good since activities and problem areas could be identified synoptically. / Lean är en metod som främst används inom stycktillverkning för att kunna effektivisera produktionen genom eliminering av olika typer av slöserier. Användningen av Lean inom processindustrin är i dagsläget begränsad, somliga kritiker menar på att användandet av de verktyg som Lean erbjuder är väldigt begränsade medan andra hävdar att metodernas angreppssätt behöver anpassas efter de förutsättningar som finns inom processindustrin. Då Lean syftar till att eliminera slöserier finns det ett verktyg som heter värdeflödesanalys som används för att kartlägga material- och informationsflöde för att kunna identifiera slöserier inom tillverkningsindustrin. Examensarbetet utfördes som en fallstudie på BillerudKorsnäs papperstillverkning i Karlsborg där syftet var att undersöka hur värdeflödesanalys kan tillämpas inom pappersindustrin med målsättningen att identifiera och eliminera icke värdeskapande aktiviteter. Vid utförandet av värdeflödesanalysen identifierades en mängd problemområden inom information- och materialflödet. De mest väsentliga ansågs vara underhåll av produktionsutrustningen samt produkt- och materialhantering. Detta ledde bland annat till rekommendationer att utöka färdigvarulager samt införa bättre dokumentation, för att skapa lagerhanteringsstrategier med syfte att minska lagernivåer i materialager. Efter genomförd värdeflödesanalys kunde även slutsatserna dras att tillämpbarheten av verktyget ansågs vara god då aktiviteter och problemområden kunde identifieras på ett överskådligt sätt.

Purpose – The purpose of the research is to explore how defective parts and products affect the sustainability aspect of manufacturing companies and how defects can be reduced.    Method – To reach the purpose of the study, a single case study and literature review have been conducted. The single case study has used an abductive approach throughout the study with the use of quantitative and qualitative data. The different methods to collect the data throughout the study were observations, interviews, questionnaires, and document studies. The empirical data was later analysed with pattern matching against the theoretical framework to reach results.    Findings – It is clear that defective parts and products have a negative effect on manufacturers’ sustainability performance. The use of lean methodology and its tools can provide manufacturing companies with accurate information on what defects they have and the causes behind, in order to reduce the number of defects and improve the sustainability aspect.     Limitations – The research has been limited to one company and a certain area within its production. The studied area was further narrowed down to only include the closest processes to the machines, hence, processes before and after the area are not covered in this research.    Keywords – Defects, Sustainability, Production, Lean, Plastic injection moulding, Process.

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It has long been well-known that economic variables such as GDP and fuel price as well as socio-demographic characteristics and spatial distribution are key factors in explaining car use trends. However, due to the recently observed plateau of total car travel in many high income countries, it has been argued that other factors, such as changes in preferences, attitudes and life-styles, have become more important drivers of car use.    This thesis shows that the two variables GDP per capita and fuel price explain most of the aggregate trends in car distances driven per adult in Sweden: as much as 80% over the years 2002 to 2012. The estimated elasticities are well in line with previous literature and can reasonably well reproduce the trend in car distances driven per adult back to 1980. We find, however, a substantial variation in elasticities between municipalities depending on public transport supply, population density, share of foreign-born inhabitants and the average income level.   Swedish National Travel Survey data from 1978 to 2011 reveals that reductions in per adult driving mainly occurred among urban men. Urban men of all income groups reduced their driving for both commuting and non-commuting trips in conjunction with rising gasoline prices, which may have contributed to this development. We find that driving among those socio-demographic groups, who have better opportunities to reduce their driving, and driving for discretionary rather than commute purposes is being reduced over time. Sweden is ranked among the most gender-equal countries in the world; yet we find a substantial remaining gender gap in the share of adults driving a car on an average day, even when controlling for other socio-economic differences. / <p>QC 20150409</p>

The purpose of this thesis was to map and evaluate the current transportation flow for transportation of asphalt at a Swedish construction company in the asphalt pavement sector. The mapping and evaluation target the transportation methods together with the information and material flow. With the support of the theoretical framework, this thesis further proposes and investigates a more efficient asphalt transportation process whilst offering suggestions of how digital aids could assist in higher efficiency of the process from manufacturing to paving. Because the purpose and scope of this thesis are of predictive nature, the corresponding research purpose was chosen, which is answered by utilizing an abductive research approach and case study as research design. The empirical findings are of high importance to guide the problem formulation and to set the phenomenon in a practical example. The choice of a qualitative research strategy was made, which is further motivated by the observation and interview-based data collection. Furthermore, the Casual Loop Diagram together with the qualitative analysis has shown that information sharing is a vital part of transportation planning which concerning the current information flow at the case company makes it difficult to attain a successful transportation structure. This thesis has proposed a new information flow assigning an additional role undertaking the position as a central coordinator that is accountable for transportation planning during project day. With this change of flow, the company can utilize the benefits of transportation planning methods such as route planning and consolidated transportation. Consequently, with a central coordinator that has a complete overview of the transportation during the project day, it would increase the visibility and contribute to increased transportation efficiency.

Optimization is a method that is, as the name suggests, used to find the    optimal solution for different problems. In practice the method is used for    many different purposes, everything from minimizing the distance traveled by a traveling salesman, to maximizing the storage capacity of a warehouse. The purpose of this project was to develop a tool that, through the use of optimization finds a solution to production and transporting problem of the logistics at Norra Timber. To achieve this, a series of functions were written in MATLAB that read data files from the user. The functions then use that data to define and solve the production and transportation problem proposed by Norra Timber using a built in solver from the optimization toolbox in MATLAB. When the program has found a solution, it is exported into a series of Excel spreadsheets to make the results easier to read. The method was found to be successful in finding the optimal solution for all the different scenarios that were tested. In total, five different scenarios were tested. One baseline test and four scenarios where each one was built upon the scenario before it. At the end of the final scenario, the total cost of the production was reduced by approximately 1.15%, compared to the baseline test, which matched the expected cost reduction. In conclusion, the tool fulfills the requirements of functionality. It is efficient at testing different scenarios and finding the optimal solution. However, the tool does have minor inconveniences that can be improved upon. While they can be detrimental to the user experience, they do not affect the results.