Abstract
The highly competitive environment, linked to the globalization phenomena, demands from companies more agility, better performance and the constant search for cost reduction. The present study focused on improvements in internal materials handling management, approaching the case of a large company in the automotive industry. Materials handling is intrinsically associated with production flow. Because of this, it has direct influence on transit time, resources usage, and service levels. The objective was to evaluate, in a systematic way, the impact of implemented changes in materials handling management on the internal customers' perceptions of cost, safety in service, service reliability, agility and overall satisfaction. A literature review preceded a case study in the company's manufacturing unit and the questionnaires were completed by 26 employees directly involved in the process. Analyzing the answers, it was possible to suggest that internal customers understood that the new materials handling management system enlarged service agility and reliability and reduced costs, which caused an improvement in overall satisfaction.
Highlights
There is a strong concern to adjust the supply system in a company (Machline, 2008) to achieve a higher service level internally and to the outside customers
The data were tabulated in order to obtain an average percentage and standard deviation of overall satisfaction in relation to the factors and sub factors presented during sampling
Considering satisfaction levels equal to or higher than 4 in Table 2, it is identified that the overall satisfaction percentage shows that 50% of the respondents noticed improvements in the process after its implementation
Summary
There is a strong concern to adjust the supply system in a company (Machline, 2008) to achieve a higher service level internally and to the outside customers. This brings to a higher operational level and even a possible differential when compared with the other competitors Materials handling management is among many factors that contribute to improve a company’s performance. The Materials Handling Industry of America [MHIA] defines materials handling management as “Material Handling is the movement, storage, control and protection of material, goods, and products throughout the process of manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal.
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