This thesis deals with the establishment of a small woodwork workshop, a company focusing on production of design furniture from pallets. First part of thesis is about a theoretical introduction to business, basic concepts, business plan and the necessary analyzes. In the second part there are analyzes used for evaluation of current state and their summaries. Last part provides my own solutions and consideration of the project’s realization.

I detta examensarbete ville jag undersöka asymmetri och använda det ordet för att formge möbler och objekt. Jag ville undersöka hur asymmetrin skulle kunna te sig och jag lade en stor grund vid litteratur och omvärldsanalys. Med researchen tog jag mig vidare in i en skiss- och modellprocess som därefter ledde fram till två utvalda former som jag skulle tillverka i full skala. Arbetet är förhållet till ett tio veckor långt tidsspann och jag betraktar arbetet i helhet som en skiss och en grund för fortsatta studier på master- och forskarnivå. Jag kom fram till att asymmetri kan te sig på olika sätt i formgivningen – en materiell asymmetri, en asymmetri i formers relationer till varandra och att det krävs en viss symmetri för att kunna urskilja asymmetrin, det avvikande. Resultatet är två möbler som visar hur långt eller hur kort man kan dra asymmetrin och de båda objekten innefattar symmetriska beståndsdelar placerade i en asymmetrisk relation till varandra. / In this thesis I wanted to investigate asymmetry and use that word to design furniture and objects. I wanted to investigate how the asymmetry could manifest itself and I laid a great foundation in literature. With the research I proceeded into a sketch and model process which then led to two selected forms that I would produce in full scale. The work is related to a ten-week long span of time and I regard the work as a whole as a sketch and a basis for further studies at master’s and doctoral level. I found that asymmetry can manifest itself in different ways in design – a material asymmetry, an asymmetry in the relations of shapes to each other and that a certain symmetry is required to be able to discern the asymmetry, the deviating. The result is two pieces of furniture that show how far or how short one can take the word investigated. The two objects comprise symmetrical elements placed in an asymmetric relationship to each other.

Since the emergence and the subsequent evolution of lean manufacturing concepts, numerous enterprises of different scale and specialties have adopted lean tools and techniques in their facilities with varying success. In general, lean manufacturing related studies have been conducted on large manufacturing firms, such as the automotive industry. Yet, lean manufacturing tools and techniques are also suited for small enterprises. Thus, the main concern of this study is to investigate the success of set-up time reduction efforts (one of the steps needed to achieve 'one-piece flow') in secondary wood products manufacturing facilities on four woodworking machines (moulder, shaper, table saw, and band saw) based on firm size. The first objective of this research is to explore the results of the implementation of set-up time reduction efforts on selected woodworking machines in enterprises of varying size. It is assumed that company size is a major factor influencing the rate of set-up time improvements. To that end, the first hypothesis, which states that 'Small firms are less successful in reducing set-up time through set-up time reduction efforts than are large firms,' has been developed and supportive questions have been corresponding created. While statistical testing of the hypotheses created for this is not possible due to the limited number of participants, speculations about the possible outcome can be made. Thus, for hypothesis one, the data obtained does not show any sign of a relationship between a firm size and the success rate of set-up time reduction efforts. The second objective of this study is to investigate how a firm's productivity is affected by set-up time reduction efforts as related to firm size. With regards to some of the weaknesses of typical small manufacturing firms (e.g. having limited budget and resources, intuitive management strategies including lack of strategic planning), large firms, by and large, are expected to be more successful in increasing productivity through set-up time reduction. To that end, the goal is to investigate results of the set-up time reduction efforts in terms of productivity improvement in manufacturing facilities. With this in mind, the second hypothesis was proposed, which reads 'Small firms achieve lower productivity gains through set-up time reduction than do large firms.' For the second hypothesis, while no conclusive proof can be offered, no sign of a relationship between firm size and productivity gain through set-up time reduction could be found. Another objective of this study is to explore the success rate of set-up time activities on the four types of woodworking machines in industry facilities considering the training activities provided by manufacturers. The aim is to compare set-up time improvement performance of manufacturers between enterprises which trained their workers/operators and enterprises which did not train their employees. To understand the relationship between the scale of firms (and/or facilities) and training activities to improve set-ups, the third hypothesis, which reads 'Small firms are less concerned with set-up time reduction through training than are large firms,' has been developed. For the third hypothesis, while testing is not possible, it appears that there is no relationship between firm size and the level of concern for set-up time reduction through training activities. The final objective of this research is to investigate whether the secondary wood manufacturing firms studied experienced a bottleneck in their production due to the long set-up actions of machines. In order to accomplish this objective, the final hypothesis, 'In both, large and small firms, bottlenecks occur at machines with high set-up times,' has been developed. The final hypothesis cannot be accepted or rejected due to the limited number of responses obtained, set-up time was a frequently indicated explanation for the occurrence of production bottlenecks in secondary wood products manufacturing firms. / Master of Science

There are many factors to be considered when studying the lighting of industrial arts shops. Adequate light is one of the most important factors, and by adequate lighting is meant light that is sufficient in quantity and quality. Other factors to be considered include the location of the shops in the building, the windows, interior painting, width, and length, and the ceiling height of the shoprooms. The study herein is directed toward better lighting in the industrial arts shops for more efficient work.

This research had an objective of exploring the role of MSEs in LED through analysis of wood-work MSE value chain. The basic research questions underscore what the domestic wood-work value chain looks like; what major weaknesses and challenges confront the operation of MSEs; what major areas of upgrading and inter-firm relations are evident in the sector; and what MSE value chains contribute to LED. The research exercise was based on review of related literature and a field survey, involving MSE operators drawn from the study area (Addis Ababa). Mixed method of analysis (quantitative and qualitative) was employed to deal with the data collected through questionnaires and interviews. Porter’s model of VC (1985) and UNIDO’s description of wood-work VC (2005) were used to provide conceptual framework. The wood-work sub-sector in Ethiopia has a domestic value chain since main inputs are from local sources, designs are by local producers, and products are for domestic markets. Domestic actors govern the allocation of resources and the distribution of benefits. Public enterprises control plantations hence primary inputs. Wholesalers in turn control inputs, which finally reach MSEs through retailers. Design, production and marketing decisions are made by MSE operators. Middlemen are minor as most of the products reach consumers directly. The value-chain’s downstream is thus described by a short distribution-channel. Horizontal, non-market, linkages characterize inter-firm relations; whereas, arm’s length market linkages dominate the supplier-MSE-buyer relations. In the absence of “lead firms”, wood-work MSE value chains fail to qualify for the mainstream “buyer-driven” model. Without buyer-dominated quasi-hierarchical relationship, MSEs exercise “incremental upgrading” through learning-by-doing. Measures taken to upgrade the production process are considerably inclined to the physical (hardware) aspects of the firm. The MSE value-chain is restrained by internal and external problems. The current state of design marks underdeveloped links in the chain and delays entry into competitive markets. Despite the drawbacks, MSEs enable localities mobilize fragmented resources and create employment. MSEs contribute to LED through the value chain, right from input-sourcing to production and marketing. Inter-firm relations and upgrading efforts uphold the contributions. / Development Studies / Ph. D. (Development Studies)

This thesis overviews my experience during graduate school making tangible,object oriented sculpture. I have been working formally to compose space in a way that develops a narrative between parts. The work is also a bridge between the fields of painting and sculpture, in terms of drawing with form and both painted and local, material color. My palette has mostly consisted of bronze casting, steel fabrication, fiberglass and epoxy resin, paint, the found object, woodworking, and mold making. This work is also conceptually based in showing the hand worked qualities of the materials, the transfer of meaning through casting, and my emotional relationship with the various parts of the sculptures. The three major themes of the work are: divine love and the complex of the apocalypse, the complexities and psychology concerning the relationship between a man and a woman, and the intrigue, potential energy, and beauty of the systems mankind hasinvented to harness the atom. The major artistic influences for this body of work have been: Jasper Johns, Marcel Duchamp, Constantine Brancusi, Alberto Giacommetti, Reg Butler, Henry Moore, Lynn Chadwick, Kenneth Armitage, Jeff Koons, Terry Winters, William DeKooning, Richard Diebenkorn, David Smith and Charles Long. I retain a strongrelationship with the movements of Dada, Surrealism, Futurism, and Assemblage, and amalso currently involved in solidifying the Manifesto of Raubeaux with a small group ofesteemed colleagues.

This research had an objective of exploring the role of MSEs in LED through analysis of wood-work MSE value chain. The basic research questions underscore what the domestic wood-work value chain looks like; what major weaknesses and challenges confront the operation of MSEs; what major areas of upgrading and inter-firm relations are evident in the sector; and what MSE value chains contribute to LED. The research exercise was based on review of related literature and a field survey, involving MSE operators drawn from the study area (Addis Ababa). Mixed method of analysis (quantitative and qualitative) was employed to deal with the data collected through questionnaires and interviews. Porter’s model of VC (1985) and UNIDO’s description of wood-work VC (2005) were used to provide conceptual framework. The wood-work sub-sector in Ethiopia has a domestic value chain since main inputs are from local sources, designs are by local producers, and products are for domestic markets. Domestic actors govern the allocation of resources and the distribution of benefits. Public enterprises control plantations hence primary inputs. Wholesalers in turn control inputs, which finally reach MSEs through retailers. Design, production and marketing decisions are made by MSE operators. Middlemen are minor as most of the products reach consumers directly. The value-chain’s downstream is thus described by a short distribution-channel. Horizontal, non-market, linkages characterize inter-firm relations; whereas, arm’s length market linkages dominate the supplier-MSE-buyer relations. In the absence of “lead firms”, wood-work MSE value chains fail to qualify for the mainstream “buyer-driven” model. Without buyer-dominated quasi-hierarchical relationship, MSEs exercise “incremental upgrading” through learning-by-doing. Measures taken to upgrade the production process are considerably inclined to the physical (hardware) aspects of the firm. The MSE value-chain is restrained by internal and external problems. The current state of design marks underdeveloped links in the chain and delays entry into competitive markets. Despite the drawbacks, MSEs enable localities mobilize fragmented resources and create employment. MSEs contribute to LED through the value chain, right from input-sourcing to production and marketing. Inter-firm relations and upgrading efforts uphold the contributions. / Development Studies / Ph. D. (Development Studies)

This diploma thesis consist proposal of business plan to start a company in custom furniture making business. This plan reacts on possibility of buyout of assets from dissolving association of tradesman. Goal is to create and evaluate limited company type business plan.

The project deals with the modernization of the agricultural building which leads to a change of the using building. In an effort was to make use of the building which goes to into ruin and to create jobs in this location. The building is located on the plot no. 212 on the north of outskirts of Opatovice I.. In the area there is a cowshed and a silage trough. The former cowshed will be rebuilt into a woodworking facility constituted by manufacturing and administrative part. The silage trough will be used as a waste stock. A new outdoor wood store will be built in the northwest part of the plot. The administrative building will be added to the main building with a basement made from permanent formwork. The ground floor and the first floor are made of clay bricks and reinforced concrete cross-reinforced slab 150 mm thick. The internal partitions in the 1st floor are made of clay block prartitions 115 mm thick. The internal partitions in the 2nd floor are plasterboard 100 mm thick. Rebuilding involves a large number of demolition work for example new openings in existing walls. The whole woodworking facility will be insulated by a certified thermal insulation system 100 mm thick on the production part and 180 mm thick on the administrative part. The object is covered with saddle roof shaped letter "T" with a sheet metal cover. The original hard landscaping will be replaced by an asphalt road.

Целью работы является разработка нового механизма ценообразования на деревообрабатывающих предприятиях. В основе механизма – расчет и дальнейший учет в процессе ценообразования коэффициента отходов, характеризующего объем отходов на лесопильном производстве в зависимости от таких параметров конечной продукции, как толщина и ширина пиломатериала. Разработанный механизм ценообразования позволяет более точно определить себестоимость продукции, формировать выгодные предложения контрагентам и концентрировать усилия менеджеров по продажам на наиболее рентабельных позициях ассортимента. / The aim of the work is to develop a new pricing mechanism at woodworking enterprises. The mechanism is based on the calculation and further accounting in the pricing process of the waste coefficient, which characterizes the volume of waste in the sawmill, depending on such parameters of the final product as the thickness and width of lumber. The developed pricing mechanism makes it possible to more accurately determine the cost of production, form favorable offers to counterparties and concentrate the efforts of sales managers on the most profitable positions of the assortment.