[Industry Case] Automation of production processes for individual orders and specification
![[Industry Case] Automation of production processes for individual orders and specification](https://www.economiecirculaire.org/data/sources/users/5739/20210617145226-700-172-max.jpg)
This fourth industry case focuses on automation and production processes.
The furniture production is a significant industry within Polish economy. Many companies are still using traditional approaches in order to offer low cost products as a goal. Company B of this case study decided to focus on the high-end of the market, as well as reducing waste production. This strategy requires a high level of adaptation for the furniture design.
To define new ways of production, Company B used mass-customization to produce faster and benefit from lower costs. Some steps still needed to be performed by experienced employees. Defining new ways of production led to rethink different aspects such as implementing recycling and reducing waste.
Within its new factory, Company B keeps its employees trained to make full use of the new possibilities offered by new technological implementations and new capabilities.
Key skills and competences needed to implement this new way of production:
- Design Thinking
- CAD/PLM
Results:
- Company B dramatically reduced time needed and costs to produce custom furnitures.
- Automation helped to cope with a lack of employees on the job market.
- Automation helped Company B to reach a new market and increase profits, meeting higher expectations, but also offering premium products linked with services.
