Riordan Manufacturing Production Plan

Riordan Manufacturing Production Plan Free Online Research Papers Riordan Manufacturing’s China plant produces electric fans for distribution worldwide. The plan operates as a decentralized unit of Riordan Manufacturing. The materials required for production are produced locally. The primary materials used in the production of the fans consist of electric motors and plastic polymers. The plastic components for the fan are injection molded on site at Riordan Manufacturing in China. Fans are made to stock in anticipation of forecasted sales. Customers provide an anticipated purchase quantity of fans for the year. The sales for fans are forecast based on previous years’ sales. These forecasts drive production planning. This creates inefficiency in the production planning process. The China plant also designs and develops custom fan products for worldwide customers. Although Riordan Manufacturing has an estimate from customers for yearly requirements of custom fans, the orders are received randomly throughout the year. Custom fan orders are not included in the forecasts. Data required for planning is located in two different places and are not integrated. The material needs in the forecast are incomplete, requiring a manual effort to track requirements for custom fan orders. Riordan could benefit from streamlining material and production processes to reduce costs and cycle time in delivering product to customers. Custom Orders The Random spacing of orders for custom fans with varying quantities make it difficult for Riordan to estimate material requirements in the short term. The custom fans are designed and developed under an individual contract with the customer. A separate contract vehicle is used for a small pilot production run to validate the design of the fan and the production process. A separate contract is required since the cost of the production fan is unknown until the fan is developed. The development process and transition to production can be improved. The pilot production program can incorporated into the development process by building prototypes during development. Since Riordan has developed custom fans in the past, the information from the past projects can used to estimate the costs adequately. Alternatively, the contract vehicle could be converted to a cost type contract. The production process for custom fans requires multiple set-ups during the year and creates material ordering challenges. Riordan should conduct trade study and consider implementing an alternate process. The alternate process would be to produce the estimated number of custom fans for a customer in one or two production runs. These production runs will be entered into the production forecast to eliminate the difficulty with estimating material requirements. The first production run should immediately follow the pilot production run when the design and build process have been validated. Since the customer estimates are annual, producing a six month inventory of fans would be low risk. Riordan can negotiate with customers for storage cost sharing. The increased efficiency and elimination of material planning issues will more than cover the cost of storage. Supplier Management Riordan Manufacturing’s supplier for electric motors has an on time delivery of 93%. Delays in material receiving create bottle necks in production. Riordan should work with the supplier to improve the delivery schedule by providing accurate forecasts. Alternatively, a second source of supply should be identified to assure electric motors are received on time for production. The polymer supplier has not had any issues in meeting delivery requirements. Riordan should consider discontinuing the safety supply of polymers. Since supply is not an issue, the stockpiling adds costs that are easily avoidable. Material Receiving Riordan material receiving process now is that trucking company delivers the material to the dock. The supervisor compares the shipping document against scheduled incoming orders. Team unloads the materials and delivers to the factory. At the end of the day, the receiving supervisor gives the log to the receiving clerk. The Clerk data into the inventory control system. The ordering system is not tied to inventory control. Bottle Necks The receiving supervisor performs a manual verification process. The truck driver and loading crew are waiting for the verification. Any discrepancies found must be resolved before the material is unloaded and stocked. Material can not be stocked until the manual verification is complete, creating a potential bottleneck in the process. The second potential bottleneck is the receiving clerk. Although material is physically in the stockroom, the inventory control system does not reflect the new material until the data is manually entered into the system. Since this occurs at the end of the day, the material inventory will not show in the system until the following day. The receiving clerk is a single point failure that could bring the process to a stop. The bottle neck could occur from the manufacture of the Riordan raw material, such as not getting their product to supply the part that is needed to deliver to Riordan. New Receiving Process Riordan should look into changing the process of receiving their material from manual to computer based process. Riordan could incorporate a barcode receiving data collection process. There are devices that will support bar code reading, this applications will use the latest Microsoft handheld computer operating systems. By incorporating the barcode system this will provide the company with real-time processing, this will improve the inventory accuracy. The barcode system will improve on the ability to process the incoming data immediate for both receiving and shipping. This process will also provide seamless tracking and instant visibility of inventory and reduced paperwork. Imposing the bar code on the material supplier will benefit both the supplier’s process and the new process at Riordan Manufacturing. Manufacturing with Inventory The manufacturing inventory is done manually at the end of each day. The manufacturing team submits a form to the inventory clerk with completed product data and raw material consumption. The data is entered into the inventory for assemblies and sub-assemblies. The bar coding of raw material could easily be extended to include sub-assemblies and completed products. Scanning the data into the inventory system would automate the process and provide real time work in process status. The manual forms completed by manufacturing and data entry by inventory clerk are eliminated. Cost savings realized from the revised process will easily provide a return on investment for the bar code system. Final Product Shipping The sales department completes enters customer orders into the shipping and billing system. Orders are filled and the shipping data is entered into the shipping and billing system. Copies of the orders shipped are sent to a clerk to be manually entered into the inventory system for update of completed stock. A physical inventory is conducted annual to reconcile quantities of raw material, sub-assemblies and finished product. Again, there are multiple independent systems that do not communicate and numerous manual entries on forms and data entry into the inventory control system. The bar code system described for the material receiving and manufacturing inventory could readily be implemented in final product shipping. The bar codes will allow for automatic data entry as orders are processed. The number of opportunities for error is significantly decreased. The need for the annual physical inventory may be eliminated, or the reconciliation scope significantly reduced. Research Papers on Riordan Manufacturing Production PlanBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfThe Project Managment Office SystemTwilight of the UAWOpen Architechture a white paperIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalGenetic EngineeringDefinition of Export QuotasNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever Product

PepsiCo in 2007 Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

PepsiCo in 2007 - Case Study Example Natural resources essentially drop out of the competitive equation. Being born rich becomes much less an advantage than it used to be. Technology gets turned upside down. New product technologies become secondary; new process technologies become primary. PepsoCo obtains better terms from distributors and suppliers and promotes their products and services to consumers better than foreign firms because of common cultural heritage, ties, and language should be used for their greatest advantage. The main strength is new product development and product reformulation. Customers accept, reject, or alter propositions, perhaps through on-the-spot negotiations. Also, PepsiCo establishes close relations with distributors and follows aggressive acquisition strategy. The company relies on innovations and Product One strategy and strong leadership (Thompson et al 2008). For PepsiCo, Power One strategy is both a component and a determinant of the marketing mix. The company considers the life-style factors influencing product development. Urbanization, leisure, competition, discretionary income, travel, styles, tastes, automobiles, informality, and convenience have led to the emphasis on product form, readiness, packaging, combination, and selectio n convenience. For PepsiCo, product development refers to the conversion of ideas into successfully marketed products. It combines technical and marketing competence, and is concerned with strategies of programmed introduction of new products to markets as replacements for decaying ones. Since it carries out an important mission directed at corporate growth and advancement, product development should report to top management (Thompson et al 2008). Strong leadership and positive corporate culture support development and strategic growth of the company. Opportunities In implementing the product mix concept, companies are shifting away from being producing units, with set production capacities that merely broaden their line by adding similar items. They are becoming units that assess market opportunities against such criteria as rate of return on investment, and that change their facilities when the opportunities warrant it. This orientation demands a change from product rigidity to product flexibility. International expansion proposes great opportunities for PepsiCo (Thompson et al 2008). The idea is to establish effective management in multi-brand companies by developing a series of profit centers in which product executives assume responsibility for the total marketing effort for a line. This approach grows out of the inability of one executive to master the intricacies and details of marketing several dozens or hundreds of products. Product managers develop product ideas, nurture their brands, compete effectively within and outside the company , prepare budgets, work with marketing-research and advertising agencies, influence salesmen, wholesalers, and retailers, and generate sales, profits, and larger market shares. They understand and represent markets, customers, and consumers. "PepsiCo management believed international markets offered the company's greatest opportunity for growth since per capita consumption of snacks in the United States averaged 13.9 servings per month" (Gambler 2008). Weaknesses Both PepsiCo and distribution-channel members are faced with the problem of deciding the best combination

Understanding Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Understanding Management - Essay Example A close analysis of the design, fabrication, and assembly departments reveals that the workers have exhibited mixed reactions towards the new system adopted. This paper will critically analyse the management theories applied in each department. Workers in the design department have made it clear that their job description involves a high level of creativity and complexity. Therefore, the employees feel that the performance related pay system does not compensate them appropriately. Since they apply their creativity in their daily activities, they have the conviction that such talent deserves proper recognition and rewards. In addition, the employees have highlighted that the products of their creativity should be considered as their intellectual capital (Markert 2008, p. 41). Unfortunately, the company has been against this idea. In the view of the management team, all the creations of the design produced by the department staff members remain to be the property of the company as long as such individuals are staff employees to the company. Although the company management is unwilling to consider the issues raised by the employees in this department, they do not consider replacing the staff members. The management team is we ll aware that employees with the level of talent required are rare. The board members have tried negotiation with the professional staff members without any success (Zgarrick 2012, p. 67). The professional work-based assessors have made it clear that the payment and reward system adopted by the company has negative effects on the quality of the designs. The assessors suggest that the company should hire the staff members as consultants and not full-time staff members. The management approaches used by LIPC Company reveals that the classical management theory is in place. The classical management theory focuses on proper organization in an effort to register increased productivity. Usually, the

Leadership Essay Example for Free

Leadership Essay Vice Principal Mr. Leonard Curry entered the main staffing office of the Academy and ordered a young teacher to get out into her class. Her quiet gentle response was, ‘I do not have a class now, sir.† â€Å"What!’ was his rebuttal insisting that the schedule had been changed and it was her period to be teaching a 10th grader’s Biology class. She replied by asking if it were ethical for her to be informed in such a manner pointing out that   a memo is the acceptable mode of transmitting such changes. This was followed by a gentle explanation she wanted to perform her duties without conflict. Further he said that it was her responsibility to check out changes on the teacher’s assignment notice board from time to time. She reiterated that that was an unconstitutional approach since it was not stated like that in the bylaws of the school. They continued to argue with the principal threatening her with suspension for insubordination had she not complied. A disciplinary report was eventually filed for insubordination and disobeying the rule of law. Impact on credibility—Principal-Mr.Cury displayed a tendency towards an autocratic leadership style. Once how to address the issue was lawful inscribed in the bylaws stipulating a particular way to inform about staffing changes it had to be adhered to. It would appear that the young teacher reminding him of it antagonized the situation. This is a challenge to his credibility. Communication-It is clear that there was a change of command in terms of communication. The principal seemed to have erred. His reaction is to blame the young teacher for his mistake by imposing a penalty on her for his mistake. This is often a management strategic adopted in a autocratic culture. Power of influence—in this situation the power of influence lay in the position or status of principal. The principal used it to make himself look respectable while casting blame onto unsuspecting immature teacher.

Love in Relationships :: Love

Unknown source of Passage 1 and 2 Love relationships are similar to a seesaw, as the seesaw tips according to the persons sitting on the two sides, a love relationship can also lean according to the mentality of the couple in the said relationship. Passage 1 and Passage 2 both depict situations with love relationships that have varying passions, intensity, and dilemmas. Passage 1 and Passage 2 establish a controlling idea that love?s various obstacles and hindrances can occur by the individuals in the relationship or by outside forces affecting the relationships. Passage 1 introduces the idea that the crisis of death can occur during a relationship. Passage 1 describes the relationship between two lovers. When the woman in the relationship dies the man is left to mourn over the death of his lover. This death profoundly affects the man and his ability to live without his love. This is evident when the speaker, in stanza 5, states the hyperbole ?And neither the angels in heaven above, Nor the demons down under the sea, Can ever dissever my soul from the soul Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.? These thoughts and feelings of mourning due to the death of the woman thus create the obstruction that may transpire in a relationship. As to solving this dilemma the man in the relationship decides to lie side by side next to his deceased lover. Passage 2 incorporates the idea of an obstacle during a relationship, however not in the form of death. Passage 2 describes a situation where a woman asks a man, presumably her father, to tell her about times when she was a child. In the story a couple is described to be in love and wanting to be together. One obstacle the couple faces is, having to survive in the lower floor of a dentist?s office with a young child, who is the woman listening to this story. This is only a minor problem the couple has to face, and in addition, this problem is faced by the couple together not by one or the other. The major problem comes up when their baby seems to be sick and the husband decides to go hunting early in the morning. The wife is upset at the husband and questions his role in the relationship. This shows the obstacle in this relationship.

Pop Culture Essay

Throughout, history popular culture has been a common factor in everyday life. The identity of popular culture is seen through many elements of art. It was derived from artifacts and styles of human expressions developed from the creativity of ordinary people, and circulate among people according to their interests, preferences, and tastes. For example, music, fashion, people, stereotypes, and social rituals all play a role in the development of what is known today as pop culture society. These elements have shape society to behave and think a certain way, all in which are seen to have a more negative impact to the public rather than promote positive influences. Moreover, we will examine three main elements of popular culture that affect the American culture on a day to day basis. â€Å"Stereotypes, social rituals, and arts are all elements of popular culture that have been adopted and appeals to large masses of people, normally the middle class citizens† . Thus, popular culture comes from people; it is not just given to them. This perspective tears away at distinctions typically made between producers and consumers of cultural material. According to Webster stereotypes are oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment. For example, â€Å"people develop conceptions about certain groups of people because of what we see on television and use these generalizations in everyday life, such as Gender and where the media portrays ones masculinity and femininity† 2. Stereotypes can be seen with real or imaginary people or objects. For example, real icons such as expensive cars can be portrayed as a person being wealthy with luxury. Imaginary icons are things such as Bat mobiles or spaceships that are seen as a â€Å"warp speeding icon expressing in truly magical ways- faster than light travel, to demonstrate power beyond discovery† 3. Other real or imaginary stereotypes are heroes. For instances, Martin Luther King Jr. is a known for leading many Americans to freedom from slavery and racism. On the hand, Superman is an imaginary hero that saves the world from danger. These stereotypes have shaped America’s beliefs to be based on judgments of their own opinions as opposed to the truth. Social Rituals consist of â€Å"highly patterned symbolic events in which we all participate as a way of marking important passages in our individual lives or in society as a whole† 4. For example, holidays such as Christmas which is only celebrated by some who believe in decorating and exchanging gifts for the birth of Jesus Christ. However, others prefer not to engage in certain holidays or activities. Moreover, rituals integrate with heroes and icons that are built from a base structure of hierarchy. For example, voting is a common social ritual that plays a significant role in many American’s life. After voting, many constituency wear clothing to symbolize their heroic effort or support for the candidate they endorsed. Art is one the largest rooms of pop culture with a vast and diverse amount of subdivisions. Art includes; magazines, movies, television, recordings, comic books and others. Art correlates with all forms of pop culture and its affects with society. For example, books discuss heroes, icons, stereotypes, people, myth, beliefs and values. All of these elements interact with one another and result in moving to another room that leads to other possibly subcategories. Thus, arts are group together based upon shared characteristics which are known to both popular artist and the audience. Pop Culture is a trend that many learn about through film, media, music, people, fashion and others. These trends can sometime have a negative effect on the way society may behave or act to certain situations. For instances, many people use stereotypes to judge others or relate their lives to those individuals. In addition, others use heroes whether they are real or imaginary to compare and contrast their way of living. On the other hand, there are other elements of pop culture that make up these special trends. For example, social rituals is another element that allows people to express themselves based on their belief, things such as holidays, voting, and weddings. Lastly, Art is the element of diversity it relates to all subcategories of pop culture, within these categories all elements interact and form other elements.

Norse Mythology The Norse Gods - 1750 Words

How Marvel Comics has Americanized the Norse Pantheon Norse mythology has always been close to the consciousness of the public. If we look at all the references in comics, movies, literature, art, music and graphic novels it is absolutely full of them. This close relationship to the Norse myths could be embedded into our society partly because of the influence of Christianity into the Scandinavian culture during their changing of religion. The texts that we have as our source material are the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda. These were for the most part written down by Christians after the oral tradition had died out. Christians have transcribed the majority of what we do have in a bias fashion so that the Norse Gods weren’t really†¦show more content†¦Marvel is widely known for their comic books and superheroes. Some Marvel characters are completely made up by Marvel writers themselves inside their own universe whereas others draw from historical texts, such as Gods of the Norse Pantheon. The primary writers for Marvel comics were Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. They didn’t exactly do an accurate job of portraying Thor as the Norse God that he was in the Eddas. Thor is by far the most popular of the Norse Gods. Thor gains his popularity because of how people can relate to him so easily. He is not very intelligent but he is brave, honest and straightforward in most of his encounters. Although he is easily outwitted and â€Å"all brawn, no brain†, Thor is well liked because of his brute force and ability to kill giants with one blow from his magical hammer Mjolnir (Lindow, 287). People that worshipped the Pagan Gods felt that they could relate with Thor because they knew where they stood with him. He was always hitting things and eating things, similar to what you would think of as a â€Å"manly man.† Marvel has continued to make Thor a popular character to the American reader and viewer. In Marvel’s comic books and movies (Thor), Thor is blonde, muscular, has a clean shave and speaks in a sort of Shakespearean pattern. Where as in the texts, Thor has red hair with a beard and does not speak any English at all. In order for Thor to use his mighty hammer Mjolnir in the Norse world, he needs his iron gauntlets where