Application of single minute exchange of die tool in a food industry company to eliminate waste

Poznan University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznan, Poland

^* Corresponding author: justyna.trojanowska@put.poznan.pl

Abstract

Dynamically occurring changes in the economy and social environment require enterprises to monitor and improve the effectiveness of their production processes in order to remain competitive. The paper describes a research project aimed at improving the flow of materials by changing the organization of production and using Lean Manufacturing tool in a manufacturing company from the food industry, which is characterized by specific requirements and legal standards. Among others, a tool for organizing the workplace and a tool allowing to shorten the time of changeovers, taking into account the specific requirements of the food industry, were used in the research project. The effect of the implemented changes is an increase in production efficiency by 11% and obtaining annual financial benefits in excess of EUR 100,000. It should be noted that the implementation of the project did not require any capital expenditure. All tasks were completed within the working hours of the company’s employees.