A Generic Kanban Based Push-Pull Schedule in a Job Shop

Abstract The present paper shows how the productivity of a mechanical workshop was improved using group technology. A mixed push-pull scheduling system based on a generic Kanban was implemented and special attention was paid to the shop constraints. The workshop faced severe problems with long customer delays and delay liabilities. Costs were high due to a high work in process inventory. Implementing group technology, identifying the actual constraint empowering the shop team, controlling master planning and refining the shop scheduling greatly improved the productivity. The different problems were identified, analysed and eliminated mainly by the means of a new scheduling system.