An ongoing improvement process approach to a production process

Abstract

AfriSam's Olifantsfontein plant produces aggregates and Readymix cement for the construction industry. Their management identied discrepancies in the average turnaround times of their order ful lment process. This project attempts to solve the problem by applying the theory of constraints. The conception of the theory of constraints is drawn from two beliefs: every system must possess constraints or else pro t-oriented organizations would make limitless pro t; and the indication of a constraint insinuates an opportunity for improvement. The ve focusing steps of on-going improvement, which is one of the theory of constraints man- agement philosophies, will provide a framework of solving the problem by identifying, exploiting, elevating and breaking the constraint. The study commences by providing a background of the business, followed by an analysis of the problem by examining the current order ful lment process in respect of how it adds value to the business and the manner in which it ts into the larger spectrum of the plant operations. The ve focusing steps will then be judiciously applied until the identi ed constraint is broken.