Standardiserat utförande och förbättring av avropsprocessen : En fallstudie på Balco AB

Sammanfattning: Course: Degree project in logistics, 4FE05E, spring 2013 Author: Maria Wennberg Supervisor: Petra Andersson Examiner: Helena Forslund Title: Standardization and improvement of the outbound process execution   Background: Transportation represents a critical part of companies’ logistics. Special management and control is needed when using a third party logistics. Balco uses a third party logistics for their deliveries of balcony parts and before it takes place the outbound process is executed. Currently, Balco experience difficulties with the process’ many ways to be performed by the project managers and logistics department. It results in unnecessary expenditure of time, as well as quality problems and additional costs. A standardized and improved outbound process that guarantees the same execution should resolve the problems that Balco now is experiencing. Purpose: to identify the present situation by describing and mapping in what ways the project managers and logistics department execute the outbound process. This to identify where it exists differences that results in unnecessary expenditure of time. The purpose is also to provide suggestions for improvement based on the existing differences and problems, to enable reduction of unnecessary expenditure of time. Method: The research is a qualitative case study of Balco AB where the data collection was conducted by interviews, observations and focus groups. First, the outbound process was mapped and timed. Then the existing differences and problems were identified. Remaining parts of the research consists of the standardization of the outbound process and improvements of the inventory, which are presented in separate chapters. Conclusions: It exists differences in the execution of the outbound process between project managers and the logistics department that results in unnecessary expenditure of time. With a standardization 24 to 52 minutes can be saved, depending on who is executing the process. Improved article placement, inventory zones and coding can reduce the expenditure of time with another 31 minutes. Balco needs to ensure that the standardization is followed, purchase electronic tablets, introduce an inventory system, divide the inventory areas into zones and initiate electronic bar coding. Besides from the reduced expenditure of time, Balco should also be able to experience fewer errors, increased quality as well as decreased costs.