Modeling and Performance Analysis of Manufacturing Systems in Footwear Industry

Abstract Article Information This study deals with modeling and performance analysis of footwear manufacturing using arena simulation modeling software. It was investigated that modeling and simulation is a potential tool for modeling and analysis of manufacturing assembly lines like footwear manufacturing because it allows the researcher to experiment with different variables and controls the manufacturing process without affecting the real production system. In this study Arena simulation software is employed to model and measure performance of existing manufacturing systems of footwear. A footwear assembly plant producing a moccasin model shoe in Ethiopia with a total number of 19 major parts to be assembled on two consecutive assembly lines (stitching and lasting) were selected for the model. Furthermore, 39 and 37 activities were identified for stitching and lasting production line respectively. For each activity, 15 numbers of observations have taken using stopwatch. All the collected data are statistically analyzed using arena input analyzer for statistical significance and determination of expressions to be used in simulation modeling. A standard validated simulation model was developed and run for 41 replications. The result shows that the stitching assembly line i