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The main focus of this paper is how a manufacturing organization can secure the capabilities of effectively executing a series of improvements of various sizes and innovativeness from small to large and incremental to more radical at the manufacturing plant, so that the speed of improvement as a whole at the plant can be kept high. A recent study on a Toyota plant in Japan has shown that a group of production engineers located at the plant plays an important role in ensuring the mentioned kind of capabilities. Those engineers are considered trusted experts in improvement of various sizes and innovativeness. They also coordinate those improvements so that the speed of improvement at the plant level can be kept high. This study raises a question of how other manufacturing companies do to ensure these capabilities, given that the group of the production engineers playing the role is likely a specific organization design to this specific company. For the question, three manufacturing plants producing vehicles in Swedish are studied. The paper discusses implications drawn from a cross-case analysis of those plants including the Toyota plant, in terms of the main focus of this paper. © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

The purpose of this study is to explore the current available practices of feedback loops at different phases in the industrialization process. Although literature highlights the impact of feedback loops for both product and production systems development, there is limited research about how firms utilize the concept of feedback loops in the industrialization process. Based on a case study at a railway component manufacturing company, the paper presents the identified feedback loops and mechanisms that are working well and not working well within the industrialization process. Further, it explains a practical method to improve the current or establish new feedback loops. The paper contributes to the discussion on the application of lean and agile approaches to the industrialization process where feedback loops act as enablers.

For the manufacturing system development process to deliver the expected value, it is important that the management of the process works. However, the competence of building adequate process models is often missing. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that with some training, it is possible to achieve much better process models. This is studied through a workshop, where the participants map their “breakfast process”. The result shows that without guidance, the process becomes self-centred. A self-centred resource-oriented process model gives focus on time and resource utilisation, while a value objective oriented process model focuses more on process quality.

Sustainability and digitalization are fast growing sub-topics in the domain of manufacturing research and they will both be main forces shaping the future production systems. An overview of the related literature reveals two big bodies of knowledge being created in these fields, but also a little intersection among them. The reason lies in the fact that while digitalization is a trend aimed mainly at technological advancement, sustainability requires a long term commitment to reshape the whole approach to business of a manufacturing firm. However, there is a growing indication in literature that digitalization can be a powerful tool in the necessary road towards sustainable manufacturing. This work analyses the related scientific contribution through the lens of the concept of Business Model (BM) and Business Model Innovation (BMI) as understood by leading economic literature. The result is a characterisation, and when possible a description of the ways digitalization can support manufacturing firms in the adoption of sustainable business models., Export Date: 18 July 2019; Conference Paper; Correspondence Address: Maffei, A.; KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Brinellvägen 68, Sweden; email: maffei@kth.se

To remain competitive, single-family wooden house builders might create smart wooden house factories. Smart factories and smart production are recent concepts used to denote ideas that support competitiveness in for example the automotive industry. In the housing sector, a concept introduced to increase competitiveness is industrialized house-building. The aim of the study presented here was to investigate whether industrialized house-building characteristics could be a step toward a smart factory for wooden house builders. In this paper, ideas of the smart wooden house factory are synthesized, and challenges for the single-family wooden house builder are identified. The study is founded on empirical data from one single-case study. A challenge identified was the maturity level of the culture and organization to commit to and utilize modern technology and modern working methods. The concept of the smart wooden house factory is still in its infancy and needs further research.

The analytical STRATEGO-tool has been used in total 48 project groups in master courses at Chalmers University of Technology from spring term of 2015. The project trains the students in applying theoretical tools at real organizations with a specific interest in analyzing their use of operations strategy. This paper presents the outcome from these courses and specifically discusses its usability as a pedagogic tool in different contexts, even though the intention with the tool initially was to constitute a tool for SMEs who wanted to develop their manufacturing strategies.

Improving material efficiency contributes to reduce the volume of industrial waste as well as resource consumption. However, less has been published addressing on what to measure for material efficiency in a manufacturing company. This paper presents the current practice of material efficiency performance indicators in a manufacturing context through a bottom-up approach. In addition to literature review, the empirical data was collected via a multiple case study at seven global manufacturing companies located in Sweden. The results show that existing material efficiency indicators are limited and are mainly measured as a cost or quality parameter rather than environment. The limited number of measurements relates to the fact that material efficiency is not considered as a central business in manufacturing companies and is managed by environmental department with limited correlation to operation. Additionally, these measurements do not aim to reduce waste volume or improve homogeneity of generated waste., CiMMRec, XPRES, INNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development

In order to fully utilise a 3D simulation software capable of evaluating hand-guided human-industrial robot collaborative (HIRC) work tasks, there is a need of a HIRC design process for early production development stages. This paper proposes a HIRC design method that uses the possibilities of the demonstrator software in the HIRC workstation design process. The method is based on Pahl and Beitz's engineering design method; it interprets all their phases and activities into HIRC design-specific ones., XPRES - Excellence in Production Research, INNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development

This research explores integration of the suppliers' workflows in the OEM's new product development (NPD) process, to support the production ramp-up. Based on multiple-case study approach, incorporating both the OEM and the supplier perspective, this research explains critical aspects for the integration of suppliers' workflows in the OEM's NPD process, and when these aspects need to be addressed. The results show that face-to-face meeting on a project level, standardized work model, readiness of the component specifications, role of Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) engineer, quality assurance document provided to the suppliers, etc. are critical aspects. © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This research explores integration of the suppliers' workflows in the OEM's new product development (NPD) process, to support the production ramp-up. Based on multiple-case study approach, incorporating both the OEM and the supplier perspective, this research explains critical aspects for the integration of suppliers' workflows in the OEM's NPD process, and when these aspects need to be addressed. The results show that face-to-face meeting on a project level, standardized work model, readiness of the component specifications, role of Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) engineer, quality assurance document provided to the suppliers, etc. are critical aspects. © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This research explores integration of the suppliers' workflows in the OEM's new product development (NPD) process, to support the production ramp-up. Based on multiple-case study approach, incorporating both the OEM and the supplier perspective, this research explains critical aspects for the integration of suppliers' workflows in the OEM's NPD process, and when these aspects need to be addressed. The results show that face-to-face meeting on a project level, standardized work model, readiness of the component specifications, role of Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) engineer, quality assurance document provided to the suppliers, etc. are critical aspects. © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This research explores integration of the suppliers' workflows in the OEM's new product development (NPD) process, to support the production ramp-up. Based on multiple-case study approach, incorporating both the OEM and the supplier perspective, this research explains critical aspects for the integration of suppliers' workflows in the OEM's NPD process, and when these aspects need to be addressed. The results show that face-to-face meeting on a project level, standardized work model, readiness of the component specifications, role of Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) engineer, quality assurance document provided to the suppliers, etc. are critical aspects. © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This research explores integration of the suppliers' workflows in the OEM's new product development (NPD) process, to support the production ramp-up. Based on multiple-case study approach, incorporating both the OEM and the supplier perspective, this research explains critical aspects for the integration of suppliers' workflows in the OEM's NPD process, and when these aspects need to be addressed. The results show that face-to-face meeting on a project level, standardized work model, readiness of the component specifications, role of Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) engineer, quality assurance document provided to the suppliers, etc. are critical aspects. © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Virtually every company has implemented a Business Performance Measurement System (BPMS) with the purpose of monitoring production and business performance and to execute the corporate strategy at all levels in a company. The purpose of this article is to shed light on common pitfalls related to the practical use of BPMS and further to present a life cycle model with the purpose of introducing structured approach to avoiding the pitfalls. The article contributes to further development of the BPMS life cycle concept and practical examples of how it can be used.

The perceived benefits of large industrial robots for collaborative operations are characteristics such as long reach with heavy load carrying capability. Collaborative operations refers to situations where operators and robots share a workspace to complete tasks in close proximity. This mode of operation coupled with the physical characteristics of large robots represents high risks to injury and for these reasons, the safeguarding of the workspaces needs to be achieved in conjunction with the tasks to be performed within the workstation. This article will detail two workstations that was developed in a laboratory environment and are partial results of a research project titled ToMM2, whose aim was to understand safety issues associated with collaborative operations with large robots., INNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development

When discussing dependability of mechanized, discrete item production, the focus tends to be on maintenance. By studying experiences and breakdown data from eight automotive manufacturing sites in Sweden, a new view on the problem arises. It seems that on average, 40% of the breakdowns are related to poor maintenance practices. This indicates that maintenance management is not the dominant cause of breakdowns. Rather, companies should focus on human factors, e.g. skills, routines, and workload, among operators, as well as maintenance staff. Also, the Early Equipment Management process requires more attention in order to increase the dependability in the production system.

This research explores integration of the suppliers' workflows in the OEM's new product development (NPD) process, to support the production ramp-up. Based on multiple-case study approach, incorporating both the OEM and the supplier perspective, this research explains critical aspects for the integration of suppliers' workflows in the OEM's NPD process, and when these aspects need to be addressed. The results show that face-to-face meeting on a project level, standardized work model, readiness of the component specifications, role of Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) engineer, quality assurance document provided to the suppliers, etc. are critical aspects. © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This research explores integration of the suppliers' workflows in the OEM's new product development (NPD) process, to support the production ramp-up. Based on multiple-case study approach, incorporating both the OEM and the supplier perspective, this research explains critical aspects for the integration of suppliers' workflows in the OEM's NPD process, and when these aspects need to be addressed. The results show that face-to-face meeting on a project level, standardized work model, readiness of the component specifications, role of Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) engineer, quality assurance document provided to the suppliers, etc. are critical aspects. © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

It has been shown that large robots can be safely installed for human-robot collaborative assembly cells in experimental setups. It has also been found that these installations require demanding considerations of a significant number of layout and safety parameters. This indicates that successful commercial implementations will require a resource efficient model for production system design that anticipates utilization of large robots in collaborative settings. Experiences from experimental setups have been used to explore a basic model for such production system design, to stimulate a discussion regarding what model characteristics should be tested and validated in future research.

The temporary constructions industry has cost efficiency and sustainability challenges that may require new innovative business models as well as product and processes. This paperaims to discuss how social sustainability services can be included in product service system (PSS)by investigating a case where employment is offered in distributed temporary building module manufacturing in the PSS context. The case has been evaluated against PSS literature. Recent reviews and literature on inclusion of social sustainability and PSS for buildings were used. It is concluded that the current concept fits basic definitions of PSS although it is not typical. The social value of employment is difficult to evaluate and inclusion in PSS needs further research. Design practice could be used to further develop the services in the studied concept., CiMMRec, Constructivate

This article investigates sustainability in the performance measurement systems of Swedish manufacturing companies. It builds on a previous study that documents relatively few direct environmental indicators at shop floor level, which raises questions about possible indirect links between existing indicators and the environment that could be used to improve the environmental aspect of company's sustainability ambitions. A method for identifying and categorizing indirect links to sustainability issues was defined and used. The results suggest that at shop floor level 90% of the indicators have at least an indirect relation to one or more of the sustainability dimensions economy, environment and social, of which 26% are at least indirectly related to the environmental dimension. Despite the many indirect connections, participating companies perceive a need to improve sustainability indicators and some ideas are suggested., Sure BPMS, XPRES, INNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development

Risk assessment is a systematic and iterative process which involves risk analysis where the probable hazards are identified and corresponding risks are evaluated along with solutions to mitigate the effect of these risks. In this article the outcome of a risk assessment process will be detailed where a large industrial robot is being used as a intelligent and flexible lifting tool that can aid operators in assembly tasks. The realization of a collaborative assembly station has several benefits such as increased productivity and improved ergonomic work environment. The article will detail the design of the layout of a collaborative assembly cell which takes into account the safety and productivity concerns of automotive assembly plants., INNOFACTURE - innovative manufacturing development