...Production and Operations Management Introduction Improving the operations of a company that will enhance productivity and product quality may not only certainly benefit a company’s bottom line, but can also benefit national interests. Marathon Oil, for example, is the United States’ “fifth largest transportation fuel refining company and the largest in the Midwest” (“Corporate Profile”). This Findlay, Ohio based company’s operations “include a six-plant refining network, a comprehensive terminal and transportation system, and extensive wholesale and retail marketing operations” (“Corporate Profile”). Marathon’s six refineries have a total refining capacity of 1.142 billion barrels per day and provide the United States with approximately seven percent of its total capacity (“About MPC”). Marathon sells 4.1 billion gallons of gasoline each year that are then distributed to over five thousand independently owned and operated Marathon locations (“About MPC”). Marathon owns Speedway, the fourth largest convenience store chain in the U.S. Speedway not only sells gasoline but also sells food and beverages and a variety of other products in one of its 1350 locations scattered throughout the Midwest (“About MPC ”). To be sure, examining Marathon’s overall product process and identifying those phases which might be improved could result in more efficient refining and distribution of the United States’ life blood: transportation fuels. Efficiency improvements to Marathon’s...
Words: 2695 - Pages: 11
...Running Head: OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT Operations Management MMBPL502 Patricia Schroeder January 23, 2012 Introduction Kathy Kudler, the Founder of Kudler Fine Foods, has decided to expand her business by contracting with local growers of organic produce. Kathy has requested that I report what steps need to be taken and what operational changes will be necessary if Kudler decides to pursue this business path. The report should identify those business processes at Kudler that could be affected by this decision and explain how they would be affected. It should describe how Kudler’s supply chain would be affected by this decision and finally, it should describe the quality control tools and performance standards that Kudler would need to put in place to ensure the effectiveness of its operations. Business Process It is useful to categorize processes to describe how a process is designed. By being able to quickly categorize a process, we can show the similarities and differences between processes. Make-to-order – this process is activated only in response to an actual order. Inventory (both work-in-process and finished goods) is kept to a minimum. Make-to-stock – this is a highly efficient process that produces standard products that can be delivered quickly to the customer. Hybrid – this process combines the features of both make-to-order and make-to-stock (Chase, Jacobs, Aquilano, 2005). Inventory Control Each of Kudler’s individual...
Words: 1349 - Pages: 6
...The goal of this essay is to discuss the importance of culture, the job, and organisational context in determining whether wage compression and symbolic egalitarianism are best. Pfeffer (2005) argues for wage compression and symbolic egalitarianism as two of thirteen management practices that lead to superior organisational performance, and the rationale and validity of his argument will be assessed in line with the work of Hofstede as applied to studies of multinational corporations. Pfeiffer’s arguments will be shown to be of limited application contingent on the context they are being applied to. Symbolic egalitarianism is a conscious strategic decision within the organisation to remove symbols of hierarchy and the differential valuing of employees. This can include decisions such as moving managers from their offices to open plan areas, reducing or removing tiers of titular status, or status symbols attached to seniority or role. Pfeffer argues symbolic egalitarianism signals equality and improves communications, it “diminishes ‘us’ versus ‘them’ thinking” [ (Pfeffer, 2005, p. 101) ] which he believes creates a more collaborative environment with better information flow and cooperation due to the hierarchical barriers between employees and managers being removed. Organisations make a strategic choice in their remuneration and reward programs to enforce either hierarchical or egalitarian culture. Egalitarian systems allow earnings to increase without employees having...
Words: 1519 - Pages: 7
...Organizational Structure Paper Melissa A. Wilkinson XMGT/230 - Managment Theory and Practice June 2, 2013 Elaine McCarty Organizational Structure Paper At Burns & McDonnell engineering, several different organizational charges are used because of the size of the company. For individual projects, functional organizational charts are used to organize employees within that particular project. Functional organization is the departmentalization around specialized activities such as production, marketing, and human resources (Bateman & Snell, 2011). For the Maine Power Reliability Program, in which Burns & McDonnell functions as the Program Manager for this project, a functional organization is used. At the top of the organizational chart, the lead of the entire project, the program manager is at the top. Underneath the program manager is the assistant program manager, who reports directly to the program manager. From there, everyone else is grouped by functional group which the lead or project manager at the top of that functional group. There is one overhead project manager and underneath this position are the assistant project managers and the technical admins. The next group is led by the substation project manager and underneath him are substation assistant project managers and technical admins. The third functional group is procurement. There is a procurement manager and underneath him are the people who have been assigned to procurement and...
Words: 1048 - Pages: 5
...A. Provide twelve business terms and definitins that are new to you that are used by this company. Franshisee- Aperosn who buys a franchise Profit- revenue minus expenses Mission statement- outlines the organization's fundamental purposes. Importing- buying products from other countrie Exporting- selling products to another country Contract manufacturing- foreign company produces private label goods to which a domestic company then attaches its own brand name or trademark. Integrity based ethics code- define the organizations guiding alues, create an environment taht supports ethically sound behavoir Corporate social initiaves - enhanced forms of corporate philanthropy directly related to the company's competencies. Insider trading- uses private company infomation to further insers own fortuenes or those of their family and friends. Unified system- this happes after managers have decided a course of action now they need to organize the fimr to accomplish their goals. Middle management- this includes gernal managers, division managers, and branch and plant managers. B. Discuss the organizationl structure of the business relative to these five functinal areas: Marketing - The different forms of marketig, sales, and adverting for Gap are television, radio, credit card discounts, mail, and email. Gap spends a certain amount of money on advertising everymonth, and if they do not feel as though they are getting the response they hoped for they will pull the plug...
Words: 1651 - Pages: 7
...I.INTRODUCTION Experiencing low cost traditional surgical procedures, Advanced Medical Technology Corporation (AMT) wants to broadcast this tagline by manufacturing well designed medical instrument based on a massive researching. Taking into account the efforts and allowances spilled by AMT on its research and development aspect, and in invading new markets, it is not unexpected that it had gained an extraordinary growth and rapid expansion of its sales force for just a few years of being established. Like any other companies who were in their infancy/growth stage, it is a normal thing to put the best shoe forward in order to gain an A+ mark. But the aggressiveness nature of the decisions made by Peter Haskins, president of the AMT, had, to the conclusion of some lenders, contributed to several tribulations that impede the continuous growth of the company. Though AMT had gained extraordinary growth through their well done researches, it tends to risk its financial aspect by exhausting too much fund just to develop and produce its product. Its mismanagement of its assets had made potential creditors to deny its loan requests. These facts had led to the perfection of this study. It aimed to analyze the problems faced by the company, the cause of these problems and how the company will trounce these problems. II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Advance Medical Technology Corporation (AMT) developed, manufactured and sold scientific medical instruments, needles, and catheters that allowed...
Words: 2630 - Pages: 11
...Task 1 Assessment for Supply Chain Management B. I named my microcomputer company GigaJet. I don’t know if it is true for everyone that opens a business, but I find that naming a business is a very difficult task. The company name is reflective of what I wanted shareholders to feel when they saw and used the product; a microcomputer that has a lot of storage, “Giga”, and is fast and can go anywhere, “Jet”. Within the simulation each business was required to pick two segments to manufacture the microcomputers for. At GigaJet I chose to focus the manufacturing of our products to supply the workhorse and traveler customers. I chose these two segments because they had similar customer needs and wants, as well as a high potential demand. The next step within the simulation was to choose which markets to sell the microcomputers to. I developed a simple spreadsheet to analyze what markets would be the best fit for the company’s long term success. This spreadsheet was developed by multiplying the potential demand in each segment by the price that customers were willing to pay. From the following spreadsheet, I determined that the best markets for GigaJet to sell to were in the North American and European markets. |North America|Europe|Asia|South America|Total| Workhorse|$17,985,000|$19,377,500|$12,410,000|$13,905,000|$63,677,500| Mercedes|$19,288,000|$13,836,000|$16,960,000|$9,424,000|$59,508,000| Traveler|$12,041,600|$8...
Words: 4234 - Pages: 17
...Operations Management 4BIM502 Assignment No. 1 Abdurahman Haji 12159352 Adam Al-Ghariyani 10594805 Word Count: 2650 Question 1). The post-construction issues that have come to surface regarding the Northstar HyperMall within the last three months are varied yet linked. These issues are of such importance in relation to the reliability – (According to Hollins and Shinkins, 2006 ) “The most important aspect of any product or service...something performing to specification” that they became the focal point of the General Manager’s (GM) area of concern. These problematic reports have dealt a destabilising blow to the future of the newly constructed Mall by Northstar, forcing the management to ensure that measures are taken both to identify and devise a solution in order to rectify the situation, ultimately restoring efficiency and thus heightening the chances of a success. Issues with relation to Customer Service are of great value, as this is where the interaction between the customer, the staff and all other products and services encompassed within the Northstar Mall facility take place. However, validity of the feedback/suggestions and general comments/complaints must be assured in order to gain a non-bias and factual foundation on which to view options to proceed. In the world business, on multiple planes, the quality of the service provided to the potential customer is paramount, as this service is what, when placed in conjunction amongst other variable factors...
Words: 2985 - Pages: 12
...company (Seeking Alpha) Formed as a corporation in April 1987 by the merger of Baker International Corp and Hughes Tools Company Operate in 80 countries (10-k) 59400 employees (10-k) 45% of revenues generated in US, 55% generated in North America (Hoovers) Customers: larger integrated oil & gas companies- US companies, international independent companies, and national or state-owned companies Segments: Drilling and Evaluations, Completion and Production, Industrial Services and Other (provide products and services to downstream chemicals and process & pipeline industries) (10-K) Key Resources and Capabilities: Sales organizations- market its own products within the four geographic areas Provide service for products through stock point and service centers located in areas of drilling and production activities throughout the world (10-k) Placed managment close to customers to facilitate strong customer relationships and quick reactions to local market condutions and customer needs (10-K) Remote operation centers allow for the interpretation of data in the field to help customer's "steer" as drilling well (Youtube interview with Derek Mathieson) New advances: sand control for deepwater markets, MWD, LWD (EPMag Interview) Acquired BJ services Greatest competitive advantage in drill bits, packers and downhole motors Reputation for quality downhole tools and equipment (Seeking alpha) FracPoint completion system? Strategy to Increase Viability and Sustainability: ...
Words: 733 - Pages: 3
...OPERATIONS MANAGMENT PROJECT Thomas and Betts Company INDEX Introduction………………………………………………………… Development ……………………………………………………… Conclusion ………………………………………………………… INTRODUCTION The last week we made a visit to Thomas and Betts Company to can know, analyze and understand all the operation processes that they used.The purpose of the visit was analyzing the real production procedure of a manufacture company.so, we are going to talk about the processes that T&B uses to produces electric boxes and other products. Thomas & Betts Corporation is a leading designer and manufacturer of electrical components used in industrial and commercial markets. A Global Leader in innovative Wire and Cable Management, Cable Protection Systems, Power Connection and Control, Safety Technology, HVAC Building Solutions, and Engineered Transmission Structures.T&B has 4 plants in Nuevo León which are BKB, DC/PM, WP, HVAC, the development of this project is more focused on the plant weatherproof. Thomas & Betts network of more than 6,000 distributor locations and wholesalers in North AmericaWith a portfolio of over 200,000 products marketed under more than 45 premium brand names, Thomas & Betts products are found wherever electricity is used. Also is a member of the ABB group that is from Switzerland, this company manufactures electric boxes and other type of stuff out of aluminum injection and Zamak as material. Thomas & Betts offers a broad range of grounding and bonding products...
Words: 1219 - Pages: 5
...the implications of a new product on operations managment the implications of a new product on operations managment By: Mwenya Musakanya SN: 14100042 BS343 PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT By: Mwenya Musakanya SN: 14100042 BS343 PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT Contents 1 Introduction 2 2 New Products and Product Design 2 2.1 Factors to Consider in Product Design 3 2.1.1 Design for Manufacture 3 2.1.2 Product Life Cycle 3 3 Process Selection 4 3.1 Process Decisions 4 3.2 Factors to Consider in Process Design 5 3.2.1 Choice of Technology 5 3.2.2 Process Planning 5 4 Capacity Planning 5 4.1 Process of Capacity Planning 6 4.2 Importance of Capacity Planning for New Products 7 5 Quality Control 7 5.1 Methods that can be used to control Quality 7 5.1.1 Verification of the Design Quality 8 5.1.2 Product Quality Control 8 5.1.3 Supplier Quality Control 8 5.1.4 Early Warning Mechanism 8 6 Forecasting 9 6.1 Methods used in Forecasting 10 6.1.1 Short Term Forecast 10 6.1.2 Long Term Forecast 10 7 Conclusion 10 8 References 12 Introduction New product launches are highly complex and can pose major challenges to companies. But then, managing the relationship between product generations and diversity can greatly increase the chances for success for a company. Traditionally, new products have offered great opportunities for companies to innovate, connect with their customers and provide value added services and products. When...
Words: 3524 - Pages: 15
...aspects of strengths and weaknesses of scientific management. From craftsmanship to mass production. Scientific management.- breakthrough in the industrial production. Until F.Taylor published his book 'Principles of scientific management' in which he laid down fundamental principles of large-scale manufacturing through assembly-line factories, good production was based mostly on the work of crafts. "Production efficiency methodology that breaks every action,job, or task into small and simple segments which can be easily analysed and taught. Introduced in the early 20th century, Taylorism (1) aims to achieve maximum job fragmentation to minimize skill requirements and job learning time, (2) separates execution of work from work-planning (3) separates direct labour from indirect labour (4) replaces rule of thumb productivity estimates with precise measurements, (5) introduces time and motion study for optimum job performance, cost accounting,tool and work station design and (6) makes possible payment-by-result method of wage determination.”1. ( reference). Application in industry scientific management methods a specially assembly-line factories made it possible to mass production of goods. Many products previously inaccessible for a mass audience, such as for example cars have become available. The most famous example of the application of scientific management is cars production in the Ford factories in early twenty centuries. The methods used in the Ford factories...
Words: 973 - Pages: 4
...Supply Chain Paper Riordan Manufacturing is a global plastics manufacturer employing over 550 people with projected annual earnings of $46 million. The company is owned by Riordan Industries, a Fortune 1000 corporation with revenues in excess of $1 billion per year. Its products include plastic beverage containers produced at its plant in Albany, Georgia, custom plastic parts produced at its plant in Pontiac, Michigan, and plastic fan parts produced at its facilities in Hangzhou, China (Riordan Manufacturing, 2013). Manufacturing Strategy Team Alpha will be discussing the Hangzhou facility in China and the many aspects of the supply chain design. The Hangzhou fan manufacturing plant uses a Level Strategy of production. The plant's business is a make-to-stock operation in which the future demand for fans is forecasted based on taking the average of sales for the last three years and extrapolating it into the next year. The assumption in using this forecasting method is that history will repeat itself within manageable limits (Riordan Manufacturing, 2013). A level strategy maintains a stable workforce, working at a constant output rate. Shortages and surpluses are absorbed by fluctuating inventory levels, order backlogs, and lost sales (Jacobs & Chase, 2011 pg.534). Employees in a level strategic manufacturing facility benefit from stable work hours at the costs of potentially decreased customer service levels and increased inventory costs. Additional concerns are the possibility...
Words: 611 - Pages: 3
...only the core, strategic functions of the business are performed inside the company (Darling, October 1996).The main thought about running a company this way was to pull other organizations with expertise in these areas together to reduce the amount of liabilities for facilities, labor, and working capital. The company can claim that this system of outsourcing is working because sales have grown at an average annual rate of approximately 20%. Even though Super Bakery was experiencing some success with the outsourcing at the same time it was proving to be a challenge to the organization in terms related to controlling the costs. The organization started off with a more traditional costing method that simply spread the costs of the operation to every customer. This caused every customer orders to appear to cost the same amount to complete but this was not the case. This was causing the customers whose orders were less to make up the difference for those orders that were more expensive due to distance or other things. This did not seem to be the most viable way to do business because costs were easily passed over to every customer. The bakery desired...
Words: 750 - Pages: 3
...healthcare services, and future insight to how medical devices would change over time. In the past, records including charts and personal information were paper files placed in folders and stored in cabinets in the medical records department or hospital libraries. Today, many facilties are now using electronic or digital records that is stored. In the article strategic research was done to find the most efficient, cost effective, and overall beneficial record keeping system in healthcare available. It was discovered that one of the best new innovatios in record keeping is a system called Healthcare Digital Records (HDR). Upon Implementation research was conducted to contemplate which type of systems to innovate and how to carry out the production. The SDLC process was used as a means of investigating, studying, and analyzing HDR to ensure that it...
Words: 671 - Pages: 3
