Lean manufacturing challenges in a South African clothing company
- Authors: Chiromo, F. , Nel, A. , Sebele, T.O.
- Date: 2015-06-08
- Subjects: Clothing trade - South Africa , Lean manufacturing - South Africa , Supply chain management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5109 , ISBN 978-1-77592-111-0 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13935
- Description: This is a case study that investigates factors that affect the implementation of lean supply chain concepts in a South African clothing manufacturing company, hereafter referred to as Company A. The company’s primary markets are public hospitals in Gauteng Province and it offers a wide range of hospital linen and apparel for hospital staff, patients and wards. The study was conducted at the premises of Company A and it analyses the extent to which production of defective parts, overproduction, excessive inventory, unnecessary production steps, unnecessary movement of people, workers waiting for material and unnecessary handling of material affect the attainment of lean supply chain. Areas covered by the study are segments of the production department; namely the storeroom, cutting room, garment construction, cleaning and despatch. The study also looks at the attempts made and challenges encountered by Company A in eliminating these wastes. The effects of these wastes are visible throughout the company from sourcing of raw materials to the delivery of finished products. They affect delivery lead times, product/service quality, cost and customer satisfaction. These findings have implications on the competitiveness of Company A. They help Company A to focus on establishing supply chain linkages that reduce the wastes. The study contributes by suggesting a model that a manufacturing entity should adopt to reduce the impact of the seven wastes.
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Investigating the information technology factors that contribute to supply chain management
- Authors: Thomas, Deon
- Date: 2011-10-11T08:41:20Z
- Subjects: Information technology , Supply chain management , Business logistics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/373260 , uj:7250 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3903
- Description: M.Sc. , Supply chains members are disperser across multiple geographical locations and the competitive effects of globalisation has provoked the agile capacity of contemporary supply chains. This makes it more difficult for supply chain organisation to meet consumer demands, especially if supply chain processes are not adequately streamlined. This confronted supply chain managers with the daunting task to make informed decisions regarding critical business drivers within their organisations. Incorrect decisions can lead to counter-productive actions. Supply chain members both upstream and downstream often make decisions based on their immediate environment and resources available, thereby not considering other factor within the supply chain holistically. This perspective has change and supply chain managers need to make decision based on the overall information and resources available within the entire supply chain network. The need to evaluate the appropriate supply chain performance measures is critical, as it directly affects the performance of the entire supply chain network. The focus of this thesis revolves around the linear composition of supply chain technology, integration, collaboration and visibility to maximise supply chain agility. The objective of this thesis is therefore to present a model that highlights the roadmap to achieving supply chain visibility followed by supply chain agility. This will allow supply chain members to make informed decisions around key drivers within the supply chain. The intention of the model is to provide a guideline approach toward achieving supply chain agility through a process of welldefined analysis in areas such as supply chain technology, integration, collaboration and visibility. The method used to develop the model in this thesis is build on the scientific principle of adding smaller pieces of the different supply chain management theories to corroborate the context and value of the model. These supply chain management theories combined provides valuable guidance for the roadmap towards achieving supply chain agility. The point of departure is a simple five-step model of which its validity is legitimised through a case study research, conducted on two supply chain partners. The findings from this case study have contextualised the model into a definite treasure map towards achieving success in the face of globalisation.
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Fuzzy system dynamics simulation for manufacturing supply chain systems with uncertain demand
- Authors: Mutingi, M. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2012-07-16
- Subjects: Fuzzy systems , Supply chain management , Supply and demand , Manufacturing industries
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14422
- Description: Real-world manufacturing supply chain systems are characterised by imprecise and dynamic factors. As a result, decision-making takes place in a complex, dynamic and fuzzy environment in which managerial goals and the impacts of possible actions are not precisely known. In a demand driven manufacturing supply chain system, the presence of a fuzzy demand is a serious cause for concern. The present study integrates fuzzy theory and system dynamics simulation to address the fuzzy and dynamic nature of demand-supply factors, from a systems perspective. A set of performance indices were defined to evaluate the system performance. Based on typical demand scenarios, comparative simulation experiments were conducted using the base scenario as a benchmark. The simulation results show the utility of the fuzzy system dynamics approach: (a) the approach represents the real-world picture of a supply chain with fuzzy demand, (b) the supply chain system performs better under dynamic fuzzy policies, and (c) computational “what-if analysis” showed that dynamic fuzzy-based policies are more robust than conventional crisp rules, even in turbulent demand situations. Further managerial insights and practical evaluations are provided in this study.
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An analysis of South African automotive supplier parks from a supply chain perspective with specific reference to the Rosslyn Automotive Supplier Park
- Authors: Nieuwoudt, Anton C.
- Date: 2013-07-18
- Subjects: Supply chain management , Business logistics , Automobile industry and trade - South Africa , Rosslyn Automotive Supplier Park (Rosslyn, South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7620 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8490
- Description: M. Com. (Logistics Management) , The opening of the first dedicated Supplier Park by Seat adjacent to its Abrera assembly facility in 1992, in many ways, marked the beginning of a global trend. Since then, more than forty parks in various configurations have been established around the world. Initially, this trend was mostly confined to Europe but the Supplier Park concept quickly gained momentum in newly industrialised countries like Brazil and, more recently, the USA and South Africa (Reichhart & Holweg, 2007: 52). The world’s automotive industry is a vital part of the workings of the global economy and the wellbeing of the world’s citizens (OICA, n.d.). According to the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA, n.d.), the world’s automotive industry manufactured over 66 million cars, vans, trucks and buses in 2005 which is equivalent to a global turnover of close to € 2 trillion. If vehicle manufacturing were a country, it would be the sixth largest economy in the world requiring the direct employment of nearly eight million people in manufacturing the vehicles and the parts that go into them. This is more than 5% of the world’s total manufacturing employment. In addition to these direct employees, many more people are employed indirectly in related manufacturing and service provision industries (OICA, n.d.).
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Ameliorating corporate performance : by designing a resilient supply chain measuring system
- Authors: Mapokgole, J. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Supply chain management , Supply chain metrics
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6158 , ISBN 978-616-7695-10-5 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13762
- Description: In today’s highly business competitive environment, most businesses have and continue realizing the value of investing in supply chain improvements. A good starting point of improvements can be associated with scientific analysis of their returns. For that reason, most businesses have also created metrics that document practical supply chain performance and keep track of changes overtime in order to drive their business performances and profitability. While performance measurement is critical, unfortunately most companies either measure too much or too little with regard to supply chain. Other shortcomings may include; too many metrics, isolated metrics, conflicting metrics, outdated metrics, unreliable data, lack of ownership among others. It becomes even worse when companies measure wrong things. On the other hand, companies continue to pursue supply chain metrics as a means to increase their line of sight (i.e. that which is visible to them) over areas they do not directly control but have an impact on their companies’ performance. Problems with current metrics and the need for supply chain performance measure are discussed. This paper is aimed at establishing universally effective measurement system for global supply chain. Proposed framework focuses on managing the interfacing customer and supplier relationship management processes at each link in the supply chain. A unified approach for measuring supply chain system is presented supported by real life case studies coupled with practical examples.
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Developing performance management systems for the green supply chain
- Authors: Mutingi, Michael , Mapfaira, Herbert , Monageng, Robert
- Date: 2015-04-15
- Subjects: Performance measurement , Performance management systems , Supply chain management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5085 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13656
- Description: As “green” issues continue to become a global concern in the manufacturing supply chain, developing appropriate performance measurement systems for specific supply chains is imperative. Various green supply chain management strategies have been proposed in different contexts. On the other hand, a number of performance management systems (PMS) have been proposed. However, given the variations in the contexts of the available green strategies and the performance measurement approaches, selecting or developing suitable performance measures and the ensuing PMS under a given supply chain context is not trivial. The purpose of this study is to develop a structured taxonomic approach to developing PMS under various green supply chain conditions, contexts, and business objectives. Therefore, we (i) explore extant empirical studies on green supply chain activities and environmental management, (ii) develop a taxonomy of green supply chain strategies, (iii) derive a structured approach to developing green performance management systems, and, (iv) provide a taxonomic performance measurement framework consisting of environmental, economic and social performance metrics. Unlike past studies, the taxonomic framework forms a practical platform to assist decision makers when developing a suitable set of performance measures and the ultimate PMS while considering the particular context of specific green strategies under which the PMS is supposed to operate.
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Improvement of logistics and supply chain management in the cement industry in Nigeria
- Authors: Aniki, Abimbola O , Mbohwa, Charles , Akinlabi, Esther Titilayo
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Logistics management , Supply chain management , Cement industry - Nigeria
- Identifier: uj:4744 , ISSN 2078-0958 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11730
- Description: Worldwide, Logistics and Supply Chain play important roles and also contribute immensely to the economy of a nation. In this paper, research was conducted to investigate how logistics and supply chains are implemented in cement factories in Nigeria, identify the problem areas and proffer solutions. The study was conducted by administering well-structured questionnaires. According to the investigation, it was confirmed that most of the investigated companies based their logistical system only on road-link transport system for delivering products to their customers or end-users. Furthermore, the survey revealed that 73% of the respondents prefer to continue with the road-link logistics system. Though there is railway infrastructure in the country but due to research finding, the rail system is obsolete due to negligence and poor maintenance on this logistics system. A new railway infrastructure will have to be put in place for effective and efficient operation; and this is going to be costly for individual company to bear.
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The use of Total Quality Management as a business improvement strategy in Soweto furniture manufacturing SMMEs, South Africa
- Authors: Seseni, Lawrance , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Supply chain management , product quality , TQM
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/241133 , uj:24818 , Citation: Seseni, L. & Mbohwa, C. 2017. The use of Total Quality Management as a business improvement strategy in Soweto furniture manufacturing SMMEs, South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: This study investigates the use of TQM as a business improvement strategy in furniture manufacturing SMMEs and the impact of supply chain management on product quality of furniture manufacturing SMMEs that are situated in Orlando Industrial Park and Freedom Park. It was discovered in this study that supply chain starts with the supplier and end with the customer. The study reveals that furniture manufacturing SMMEs must make relationships with all the stakeholders involved, including other organization as it helps to improve the competitiveness of the enterprise and it further helps with learning from enterprises. A long-term relationship needs to be made with the suppliers of the enterprise. This study adopted a mixed method approach by developing a case study, questionnaires were issued, observations were made and managers and owners were interviewed as well. This study adds knowledge on the impact of the supply chain on product quality. Further research must be made on the effectiveness of TQM on furniture manufacturing SMMEs.
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Supply chain collaboration and organisational performance in the fast moving consumer goods industry
- Authors: Hadebe, Nkanyiso Prayer
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Supply chain management , Delivery of goods - Management , Business logistics , Customer services - Management , Organizational effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/295850 , uj:32225
- Description: Abstract: This study investigated supply chain collaboration, which is a topic of high interest in the field of supply chain management. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate how collaborative relationships with international suppliers enhance supply chain efficiencies, ultimately improving the organisational performance of imported goods in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry. Methodology: A case study approach was adopted in this research, and an online survey was conducted with the international suppliers of NHM-SA (fictitious name). Data was collected from 91 international suppliers; however, only 50 suppliers provided usable data. A quantitative approach was used to investigate the relevance of supply chain collaboration in attaining supply chain operational efficiencies, which ultimately enhances organisational performance. Findings: The concept of supply chain collaboration is of importance in the FMCG industry but is often limited due to operational issues with constraints such as the partners’ lack of commitment to a collaborative relationship. The results provided empirical evidence, showing that cost optimisation, communication and information sharing have a positive effect on organisational performance. The study results also proved that supply chain collaboration have indirect positive impacts on organisational performance. Limitations: This study was limited to a single case study from the FMCG industry. Therefore, caution should be exercised when generalising the results. Participants provided responses based on their experiences and perceptions and may therefore not be factual. Practical implications: The study demonstrated the various methods in which organisations form collaborative supply chains with their partners. Such collaborative relationships enhanced operational efficiencies, joint planning and knowledge sharing,.. , M.Com. (Business Management
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An exploratory analysis of green supply chain best practices in the retail sector
- Authors: Naidoo, Anandthan
- Date: 2014-10-20
- Subjects: Retail trade - Environmental aspects , Supply chain management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:12626 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12446
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Retailers are the main link between product suppliers and final consumers and therefore in a position to play a pivotal role in driving environmental sustainability by encouraging the adoption of appropriate greening practices in their total supply chain activities. Whilst studies have been conducted on the green supply chain practices of leading retailers from around the world, few studies have been conducted on retailers in South Africa. The objectives of this study are to explore the range of green supply chain best practices currently adopted amongst consumer services retailers listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the extent to which green supply chain best practices are adopted in their total supply chain activities, the level of maturity of their green supply chain management practices, and the main driving forces for, benefits of and barriers to the adoption of green supply chain practices. A conceptual framework is derived from a literature review and used to develop a highly structured survey questionnaire to collect empirical data for analysis in relation to the objectives of the study. The questionnaire was administered by engaging in face-to-face interviews with respondents representing listed consumer services retailers. The empirical data collected was analysed using a Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet model. The findings of the study indicate that the majority of the retailers studied are adopting all those green supply chain best practices identified in the literature review at least to some extent. Although a few of the retailers studied have reached a high level of maturity in their green supply chain management practices, the majority have recognised the importance of environmental sustainability related issues, have started incorporating appropriate greening practices into their total supply chain activities and therefore have progressed beyond a low level of largely ignoring green supply chain practices to the intermediate levels of maturity. This implies that they are taking environmental sustainability related issues seriously and not merely engaging in acts of green-washing. However currently these retailers are focusing first on those internal operations where they consider greening practices to be within their sphere of influence, easy to formulate, quick to implement and which can have a positive impact on environmental sustainability and the organisation in the short- to medium-term. These internal operations include transportation and logistics, solid waste management and energy usage management. Most of the main driving forces for the adoption of green supply chain practices come from outside the organisations and include an increase in disclosure requirements for sustainability policies and practices, government environmental regulations, and risks of disruptions in energy and raw material supply.
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Optimising supply chains through container triangulation
- Authors: Ferreira, Marianne
- Date: 2012-06-05
- Subjects: Supply chain management , Container triangulation , Freight and freightage , Sasol Polymers triangulation project
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:2426 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4886
- Description: M.Comm. , The South African government passed legislation in 2003 whereby fuel would have to meet a number of stringent environmental standards by 2006. These standards include the ceasing of sale of leaded petrol and sulphur added diesel and has a requirement for a higher octane unleaded fuel. To meet these standards Sasol Limited committed to invest R7 billion in new production facilities. The Fischer Tropsch process is used by Sasol Limited to produce liquid fuel from coal. By-products are formed during the process and is further refined and sold as raw materials to producers of various other products. In October 2003 Sasol invested R7 billion in the transformation of the plant to produce by-products (polymers) for export. In the course of this process the SASOL Turbo Project was initiated. In order to build the most efficient supply chain and to ensure short lead times to target markets, Safmarine (Pty) Ltd was identified as a strategic partner to handle the external supply chain included but not limited to the ocean freight, cross-docking and packing of cargo. During an assessment of the supply chain, an opportunity for container triangulation was recognised. One of Safmarine’s global key accounts based in South Africa, was recognised as a fitting import partner to Sasol Polymers (a subsidiary of Sasol Limited) in the triangulation project. Very little theory exists on the concept of container triangulation and its application in the field of supply chain management. The author could find only a few examples of successful container triangulation in practice so a need exits to study the concept further. The main aim of this study is to determine whether container triangulation can be used to improve supply chains and to provide guidelines for the successful implementation of such an initiative. The study is based on a combination of a literature review and experiences gained from a real-life triangulation project which was planned and partially implemented by Sasol Polymers and two supply chain partners. The study found that the successful implementation of a container triangulation project holds the potential of many advantages for supply chain partners. During the planning of the triangulation project, potential advantages were identified to the supply chains of Sasol Polymers and partners. Some of the possible advantages include, but are not limited, to: • Cost saving benefits • Improved equipment utilization • Mutually beneficial partnerships • Improved speed of container movement in the supply chain The correct application of information technology is a prerequisite for the successful implementation of a container triangulation project. This study also briefly reflects on the information technology used in the Sasol Polymers triangulation project and provides suggestions for further improvement in this regard.
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The effects of forecasting accuracy on business and supply chain planning
- Authors: Nkosi, Makhehla Andries
- Date: 2012-06-04
- Subjects: Business forecasting , Polymer industries , Business planning , Forecasting accuracy , Supply chain management
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2356 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4811
- Description: M. Ing. , Undoubtedly, forecasting accuracy presents many advantages to a business, but the opposite is also true for forecasting inaccuracy. This paper is intended to outline the effects of forecasting accuracy on business planning while also investigating factors that affect it. The role of the human element in this regard is also discussed in the report. The study is qualitative in nature with an exploratory approach. A survey and focus group interviews / discussions were conducted so as to achieve the aim of the project. The information obtained from these two methods was used to explore the research questions which in turn were designed to identify the impact of forecasting accuracy and factors that affect this accuracy. The findings of the study indicate that the effect of forecasting accuracy is more significant than commonly perceived. The findings also outline the important factors affecting forecasting accuracy. The basis of this argument is that most of the factors that affect forecasting accuracy can be controlled and are centered on people. Therefore, in order for companies to survive, they must begin improving v their forecasting process and paying more attention to the human element of this process.
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Sustainable supply chain management in construction firms
- Authors: Ojo, Elizabeth , Mbohwa, Charles , Akinlabi, Esther Titilayo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sustainability development. , Construction industry -Nigeria - Lagos , Construction industry - Environmental aspects , Supply chain management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4873 , ISBN 978-0-9566060-6-8 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12549
- Description: Environmental change is happening everywhere. Turbulent weather patterns - heat waves, rains, snowfalls, hurricanes and stormy rains are becoming extreme in every sense throughout the world. These climatic changes are today a concern of every individual and world leader alike. The burning of oil and other fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which rises, blankets the earth and traps heat causing severe changes in weather patterns. Not only do we have climate problems but we are also dealing with a resource depletion issue. The construction industry has a major impact on the environment because 50% of the material resources for construction are taken from nature. The huge consumption of resources by the construction industry has called for sustainable practices in construction. Sustainable supply chain provides economic, social and environmental requirements in material and service flows occurring between suppliers, manufacturers and customers. Sustainable development has taken the centre stage among different countries of the world. During the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, the governments and other international organizations decided to take useful measures to protect the environment for long term social and economic development. This paper aims at investigating the compliance of the construction industry to environmental regulations. In this paper, the construction industry of Lagos state in Nigeria was used as a case study.
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A framework for developing performance measurement systems for “green” supply chain management strategies
- Authors: Mutingi, M. , Mhlanga, S , Mbohwa, Charles , Mapfaira, H
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Performance measurement , Performance management systems , Supply chain management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6167 , ISBN 978-0-7972-1405-7 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13774
- Description: As environmental issues are continually and rapidly emerging as one of the most crucial topics in strategic manufacturing decision making, the formulation of “green” performance management systems is very important. This research seeks to introduce and explore green performance measurement frameworks that exist in various real-world case studies that are found in literature. The study yielded a set of four taxonomic performance measurement systems that are applicable in specific contexts of manufacturing supply chain strategies. Moreover, specific green performance metrics are provided in respect of the identified green manufacturing strategies. Implications of the application of each performance management system on existing manufacturing policies are evaluated, giving practical managerial insights. The study forms an essential framework for the decision maker to rapidly develop a suitable performance system in a green manufacturing environment, within a reasonable time frame.
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Risks associated with South African energy pipelines
- Authors: Van den Berg, Hugo
- Date: 2012-06-06
- Subjects: Energy pipelines , Pipelines , Business logistics , Supply chain management , Risk assessment
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2488 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4942
- Description: M.Comm. , The demand for products which are distributed through pipelines has increased worldwide over the last decade. These increases in demand have irrevocably impacted upon top management’s perceptions of risks associated with energy pipeline supply chains. Even in South Africa, the increase in demand for products such as diesel, jet fuel and petrol, which are supplied through the energy pipeline supply chains have increased the risks associated with energy pipeline supply chains. This study explores the different risks associated with South African energy pipelines, and investigates whether these risks can have an influence on the business as well as the physical environment of the energy pipeline supply chains. A literature study was conducted and three energy pipeline supply organisations surveyed to determine what their specific viewpoints were regarding the risks faced by the South African energy pipeline supply chains.
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