Improving Medical Devices Manufacturing – From the Push system to the Pull system

Abstract

A manufacturing subassembly line at medical devices company currently supplies two sites with manufacturing lines. The subassembly line has high inventory levels which reduce cash flows for potential investments. The high inventory levels come in both finished goods and work in process (WIP). Work orders will now be created in the manufacturing software in order to move to a pull system. By moving from the push system to the lean manufacturing method of pull system, the company will be able to reduce its inventory levels by more than $140,000. This lean manufacturing method will also help in the increase of capacity at the subassembly line. This project proves that manufacturing logistics can be improved by performing simple changes in order to implement the lean manufacturing system. Key Terms ⎯ Build Plan, Inventory, Lean Manufacturing, Subassembly, WIP.