Bus644 - Ashford University

Space Age Furniture Company

BUS644 Operational Management

Space Age Furniture Company

Organizations in today’s market place have complex variables to evaluate on a day-to-day basis. Successful organizations have to find the balance between profit maximization and employee satisfaction. This is a major concern that Space Age Furniture Company is currently facing. This paper will give an overview of Space Age’s internal production operation by examining their process flow and MRP in an effort to provide recommendation that will lead to a more efficient process design for Space Age.

Space Age is a furniture company that produces microwave stands called a “Saturns” and TV stands called “Gemini’s” in different shapes and sizes with different features. The primary challenge that they are facing is in regards to part number 3079 that is required in both sub-assemblies. Currently, this part is required to go through a machine in the assembly of both products. However, this machine is only operated by 1 employee, Ed, within Space Age. Therefore, based on the current rise in demand, there is a significant scheduling issue that is causing Ed to work a large amount of overtime.

All in all, Space Age has to figure out a way to meet the needs of their customers while providing its employees with reasonable working conditions. This is why Space Age must take a deep dive into its operations in order to find ways to improve. Investing in lean operational practices will ultimately allow Space Age to effectively manage their staffing and demand concerns

An important aspect of lean operations within manufacturing, in regards to eliminating waste, is the issue of system design within manufacturing facilities. “In order to identify and eliminate waste, every step and individual action involved in the processes for specific service is mapped; and the flow analyzed (Soriano-Meier, 2011).” The main purpose of layout design is “aimed at improving the efficiency of movement of...