Packaging Process Improvement in a Manufacturing Environment

Abstract

A manual filling, packaging and labeling process implicates significant labor intensive tasks that will result in non- standard process with high variability. This non-standard process has resulted in more than 20 complaints in the last 2 years. This manual process requires 2-3 employees per batch. This project will focus on the reduction of cycle time for the pack out process and reduce and or eliminate complaints due to discrepancies. This project will also address the ergonomic concerns related to repetitive movements. In order to standardize and automate this process Lean Six Sigma Tools and methodologies (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control) were used to identify the problem and improve the process. As a result we were able to recommend the implementation of equipment and waste minimization. This recommendation would imply at least a 13% improvement in productivity. Key Terms - Cycle Time, DMAIC, VOC, VSM.