WGEP - Case Study

Larissa Albuquerque Marques Silva

Gabriel Luís Anibal de Oliveira

Aaron Brantley

04/19/23Brantley | Albuquerque | Oliveira

1

Introduction

Western Geophysical Exploration Products (WGEP) Seismic exploration company

Manufactures equipment for laying underwater cables

Poor reputation with customers Marginal product quality

Poor on-time delivery

Long manufacturing lead times

Inconsistent product reliability

High product costs

04/19/23Brantley | Albuquerque | Oliveira

2

PRODUCT FLOWProcess improvement step Effect or Result

Designing cells with a product-oriented flow

Eliminate unnecessary movementIncrease visibilityImprove communicationReduce manufacturing cycle times

Kanban and visual control WIP went from 60 to 12 cables Lead time was reduced from over 30 days to less than 5 daysMaterial shortages almost nonexistent

Additional aisles Improve safety Eliminated full-time material handling laborReduced the total time spent moving the bay cable

04/19/23Brantley | Albuquerque | Oliveira

3

Product Quality/ Employee Skills Training

Process improvement step Effect or Result

Locating cells into adjacent to the previous step

Allowing workers to catch immediately correct any quality problems

Close proximity of the workers Improving communicationCross-training Problem solving

04/19/23Brantley | Albuquerque | Oliveira

4

Material Waste Reduction

Process improvement step Effect or ResultProcess improvement step Effect or Result

Minimizing excess cable production Saving amount to a 4% reduction in the cable cost.The annual saving of this improvement amounted to more than $320,000.

04/19/23Brantley | Albuquerque | Oliveira

5

Visual Controls

Process improvement step Effect or Result

Visual display system (schedule board)

Allowing all employees to understand: Current and future demand Quality improvement Cost reduction

Kanban Cards Providing information about the part and its location

04/19/23Brantley | Albuquerque | Oliveira

6

Materials Management

Process improvement step Effect or Result

Master production schedule Eliminated incoming inspection for all materials

Kanban Cards The Kanban card contained all the information the shop need to receive, store, and use the material

04/19/23Brantley | Albuquerque | Oliveira

7

Performance Measurement

Process improvement step Effect or Result

New performance measurement system in these areas:QualityOn-time deliveryProductivityCostSafety

Providing relevant, reliable, and timely information and to communicate this information to all employees on a regular basis

04/19/23Brantley | Albuquerque | Oliveira

8