Improvement of Facility Layout Using Systematic Layout Planning

Abstract

The facilities layout problem is an integral part of facilities planning that aims to systematically arrange and locate all production units within a facility with an objective of improving the production operations of a company. The work reported in this paper aims to study and improve the facility layout of a manufacturing company using Muther’s systematic layout planning procedure (SLP) for increased productivity and space utilization. In this case study, the existing layout is studied and the amount of equipment identified. Data on the production processes is investigated and flow analysis conducted. An activity relationship chart is formed, studied and new layout alternatives developed.A multi-criteria decision making tool is then proposed and used to evaluate the developed alternatives which are compared with the existing layout. The SLP method derives an improved layout that improves flow of materials, utilizes space effectively, and is flexible.