Assessment of potential productivity improvements at Marel’s Turning and Milling Cell

Competition in the manufacturing industry is constantly increasing, making it essential for manufactures to improve processes and develop productivity. A lack of understanding of how to measure and analyze productivity creates barriers for companies to develop it. The objective of this thesis is to assess the potential of productivity improvements at the Turning and Milling Cell (TMC) in Marel’s production facility in Garðabær. The purpose is to provide insights into what aspects of the cell’s operations represent a potential to improve productivity. The method used to assess the potential is based on the Productivity Potential Assessment. It involves assessing the following factors that influence productivity: manual work efficiency, machine efficiency, key performance indicators, level of production engineering and the work environment. The results show that great productivity improvement potential lies in all factors except the work environment, which was found to have a low potential. The key issues present in the cell is the lack of data collection and low efficiency in manual and machine work. Productivity in the TMC could be increased substantially without making investments in more machines or personnel. It involves changing the way the production is organized and managed