Unlocking DC throughput capacity through improved flow
Name
1051238226-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
5.88 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
8ae6a07b0f6e42bd286c37de7d26620b
Author(s)
Morrison, Ryan Cannon
Advisor(s)
Stephen Graves and David Simchi-Levi.
Alternative Title
Unlocking distribution center throughput capacity through improved flow
Date Issued
2018
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
The large multi-channel apparel distribution center was built as a purely wholesale building in the 1900s. With distribution becoming more complex due to e-commerce and smaller orders for more frequent replenishment, the requirements for the distribution center have changed significantly. The manner in which work flows through the building is influenced by batch size and release logic, which have not evolved to keep up with changing demand. Under the current flow of work, associates cannot stay busy working at the same processing (packing) station. Unstaffed processing stations are used as buffers, and associates move to unstaffed processing stations when they run out of work. The current flow prevents staffing all of the processing stations which significantly reduces the long-term throughput capacity. This thesis lays out a methodology to improve flow and unlock throughput capacity by changing batch size and control logic to meet future demand. The key enablers of this thesis were: 1) The collection of data to evaluate progress at key steps in the process 2) A holistic understanding of how the system functions, as well as the implications on the longterm throughput capacity
Description
Thesis: M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, in conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT, 2018.
Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, in conjunction with the Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT, 2018.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (page 57).
Subjects
Sloan School of Management.
Mechanical Engineering.
Leaders for Global Operations Program.
MIT Department
Leaders for Global Operations Program at MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sloan School of Management
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