Abstract
This paper presents a new metric for describing the sustainability improvements achieved, relative to the company’s initial situation, after implementing a lean and green manufacturing system. The final value of this metric is identified as the Overall Environmental Equipment Effectiveness (OEEE), which is used to analyze the evolution between two identified states of the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and the sustainability together, and references, globally and individually, the production steps. The OEE is a known measure of equipment utilization, which includes the availability, quality and performance of each production step, In addition to these factors, the OEEE incorporates the concept of sustainability based on the calculated environmental impact of the complete product life cycle. Action research based on the different manufacturing processes of a tube fabrication company is conducted to assess the potential impact of this new indicator. The case study demonstrates the compatibility between green and lean manufacturing, using a common metric. The OEEE allows sustainability to be integrated into business decisions, and compares the environmental impact of two states, by identifying the improvements undertaken within the company’s processes.
Highlights
At present, lean and green practices are being implemented in manufacturing companies in a variety of industries
It would be useful to address these challenges by focusing on an indicator that is currently used in lean manufacturing, the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
The new parameter Overall Environmental Equipment Effectiveness (OEEE) proposed is aimed at companies in the secondary sector with flexible manufacturing processes depending on the demand and harmonized distribution of resources along the production line
Summary
Lean and green practices are being implemented in manufacturing companies in a variety of industries. The elimination of non-value-adding activities is a central tenet of lean manufacturing. It reduces costs and production times, and improves process and product quality, as well as offering other benefits. Ioppolo et al [1] observed difficulties in the integration and implantation of these lean and green concepts. In this context, it would be useful to address these challenges by focusing on an indicator that is currently used in lean manufacturing, the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). The relationship between availability, performance and quality established in the OEE is key to its usefulness, and has resulted in its employ as an indicator in businesses’ decision-making processes
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