M.Tech. (Industrial Engineering) / Material handling is never value-adding, but always increases the production costs. The objective of any new handling system should therefore be to reduce handling and then to find cost-effective solutions for those operations that cannot be eliminated. The systems approach can be used to analyse and solve material handling problems, ensuring that all alternatives are considered. This increases the likelihood of a successful project. The feasibility study should be used at the outset of a project to ensure that a shortlist of the best solutions can be made. This is done before major capital expense is incurred. Thereafter, a systematic procedure guides the project from a concept design, to a few selected option, then to the simulation of the proposed system and finally to the installation plan and construction. The systems approach is often preferred by management, because the financial and technical issues are quantified and therefore reduce the risk of a bad investment. Ultimately, a new material handling system, if required at all, should minimise production costs and therefore be an asset instead of a liability to the company.

M.B.A. / The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate the levels of supply chain process innovation within medium to large chilled-process meat manufacturing organisations throughout South Africa. As well as to compare their levels of process innovation with data obtained from successful process innovators (as recognised by Supply Chain/Logistics Associations and or Organisations) and finally to map out a method for improving supply chain process innovation for chilled-process meat manufacturing organisations. The research methodology employed in this study was to determine the current levels of warehousing performance within chilled-processed meat manufacturing organisations. The second process in the methodology was to analyse the qualitative data by means of a computer based programme. Thirdly, the researcher had to determine if a relationship exist between the warehousing processes within a company and the use of technology. Finally the researcher had to identify steps which chilled-process meat manufacturers could adopt in order to develop into better warehousing process innovators. The major findings of this research study were that the levels of logistical excellence of the chilled process meat manufacturing organisations are significantly lower than that of successful process innovators. This was based on the fact that the researcher selected six questionnaire items to develop the dependent variables for the purposes of assessing its measures of central tendency and dispersion. The results of a correlation matrix showed that the correlation pattern of the six items and fifteen pairs, five were significant at the 95% confidence level and the same five were significant at the 99% level. On the basis of the analytical tools used, the researcher concludes that the levels of warehousing process innovation and logistical excellence were indeed lower in chilled-process meat manufactures than in world-class organisations.

M.Comm. / The South African economy is currently in a dynamic phase of change. In seeking a solution to rebuilding the economy and attaining a growth rate which is capable of creating jobs and sustaining economic development, it is widely recognized that a competitive platform needs to be created for a powerful expansion by the tradable goods sector. Many South African products cannot compete in international markets because of high unit costs and the consequential high prices offered to consumers. One of the primary reasons for product uncompetitiveness can be described as supply chain inefficiencies.q The supply chain is defined as the network of organisations that are involved in the various processes and activities that produce value in the form of products and services in the hands of the ultimate consumer. This study analyzes a single stand-alone component of the supply chain organisation, namely the public warehouse. The study recognizes that warehousing plays a vital role in enhancing end-user value by providing time and space utility and suggests that in order for the warehouse to fulfil a valueadding role, it must adjust its functioning to meet the supply chain's requirements. The study shows that conventional techniques are incorrectly focused and are thus inappropriate in an organisation aiming to achieve competitiveness and profitability, optimise the logistics trade-off between cost and quality and simultaneously supply the customer with a high level of service performance. The use of conventional costing and management techniques are shown to lead to the incorrect calculation and misallocation of costs which in turn result in inaccurate product (service) costing. This has made the public warehouse analyzed uncompetitive in the market and as a result unable to add any additional value to the customer. It is suggested that a completely new and differently focused system needs to be implemented if supply chain objectives are to be realised. It is suggested that activity-based management is capable of achieving supply chain goals. Activity-based management (ABM) is a system or discipline which focuses on the management of activities as the route to improving the value received by the customer and the profit achieved by providing this value. The study shows that ABM, as applied to the public warehouse, was able to achieve cost reductions, better and more effective management, enhanced strategic positioning, and, most importantly, competitiveness in the market place, a prerequisite for adding value to the supply chain. The study recognizes that supply chain management and activity-based management are relatively new fields of expertise, and that these are not yet recognized as a fully fledged profession in South Africa. Supply chain management needs to be established and promoted as a formal profession. Finally it is recognized that more research is necessary before ABM and supply chain management can become the standard in South African organisations. Information needs to be obtained regarding key South African performance indicators and information needs to be recognized as a strategic asset. Once this recognition is achieved strategic information plans can be designed and used to enhance the competitiveness of South African products.

No description available.

This thesis investigates the impact of integrating Zone Bypass (ZBP) conveyor to a Pick-To-Light (PTL) order picking system. This integration results in a new system (PTL+Z), which could be helpful to achieve higher levels of productivity in warehousing operations. Two options have been proposed to improve the current PTL system productivity. One is to adapt the ZBP conveyor, which will help each order to bypass unnecessary zones with nothing to pick. Another one is to better plan stock keeping units (SKU) assignment by applying level loading assignment. Mathematical models are developed to evaluate system throughput of PTL system with random assignment (PTL/R), PTL system with level loading assignment (PTL/L), PTL+Z system with random assignment (PTL+Z/R), and PTL+Z system with level loading assignment (PTL+Z/L). Simulation models are validated to test the reliability of mathematical models. Also, economic analysis is developed in term of payback period for decision purpose.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, August, 1987. / Title from PDF t.p.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.