NMIMS Global Access

School for Continuing Education (NGA-SCE)

Course: Operations and Supply Chain Management

Internal Assignment for December 2023 Examination

Q1. In a FMCG Manufacturing Company analyze how can the company become
Operationally robust and competent on the basis of Quality, Cost, Flexibility, Speed and
Services.

Answer-

Introduction:

Success in the very competitive FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) manufacturing sector
depends on operational skill and robustness. Companies must concentrate on important
factors including quality, pricing, flexibility, speed, and services in order to accomplish this.
These factors are crucial in improving a manufacturing company's overall performance and
competitiveness. Using pertinent examples and analogies, we will examine how an FMCG
manufacturing company might achieve operational competence and robustness based on
these factors in this article.

Concept and Application:

Measures of Quality and Quality Control: Customer satisfaction and loyalty are directly
impacted by quality, which is an essential component. Throughout the production process,
FMCG manufacturing companies should adopt strong quality control procedures to maintain
operational robustness in terms of quality. To guarantee the delivery of reliable and superior
products, FMCG manufacturing companies must put strong quality control procedures into
place. This entails putting in place quality assurance systems, carrying out frequent
inspections, and establishing strict quality standards. To reduce errors and raise the general
calibre of products, a business could, for instance, implement the Six Sigma approach.
Companies may improve customer happiness, strengthen brand reputation, and reduce the
likelihood of product recalls and consumer complaints by upholding strict quality control
procedures.
Cost: To stay profitable and competitive, FMCG manufacturing companies must control costs
effectively. Businesses should prioritise increasing productivity, cutting waste, and allocating
resources optimally in order to become financially stable. The implementation of lean
manufacturing concepts can result in cost savings, process optimisation, and the elimination
of non-value-added operations. For example, businesses can enhance cash flow and reduce
inventory holding costs by implementing Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory management.
Businesses can maintain healthy profit margins and provide competitive pricing to customers
by controlling costs wisely.

Flexibility: To adjust to shifting consumer needs and market trends, FMCG manufacturing
companies must possess flexibility in today's dynamic market. Agile manufacturing
techniques can be used to achieve operational robustness in terms of flexibility. This entails
being able to swiftly modify delivery dates, product variations, and production numbers. For
instance, businesses can use modular production methods and invest in flexible
manufacturing technologies. Being adaptable helps businesses cut lead times, successfully
satisfy consumer expectations, and react quickly to changes in the market.

Speed: In the FMCG sector, where a company's success can be determined by its time to
market, speed is a crucial component. Businesses should concentrate on cutting production
lead times, enhancing order processing, and streamlining supply chain logistics if they want
to become operationally robust in terms of speed. For example, businesses can boost
production speed by implementing sophisticated manufacturing technology like automation
and robotics. Logistics operations can also be made more efficient by using real-time data
and putting in place effective warehouse management systems. Businesses can obtain a
competitive edge by outpacing their rivals in product delivery by increasing speed.

Services: In the FMCG sector, a company's ability to provide outstanding customer service
sets it apart from its rivals. Companies should concentrate on exceeding client expectations in
areas like after-sales support, product customization, and timeliness in order to become
operationally robust in terms of services. Companies can monitor client interactions and offer
individualised support, for instance, by putting in place a customer relationship management
(CRM) system. Businesses can also use technology to provide clients with convenient online
platforms and self-service choices. Businesses can improve their brand reputation and foster
client loyalty by offering top-notch services.
Conclusion:

In order for FMCG manufacturing companies to prosper in the fast-paced industry of today,
they must become operationally strong and competent. FMCG companies can improve their
competitiveness and overall performance by putting a high priority on quality control
measures, lean manufacturing to optimise costs, agile practises to embrace flexibility,
sophisticated technologies to improve speed, and outstanding customer services. To satisfy
the shifting demands and tastes of customers, businesses must constantly innovate and adapt.
FMCG producers can maintain their dominance in the market and promote long-term, steady
growth by doing this.

Q2. A Fashion Company manufactures clothes, which includes Materials Sourcing,

Pattern Making, Cutting Process and Manufacturing. The precedence and time
requirements for each step are given below. To meet demand, the Company needs to
produce 6000 finished items every 40-hour week. Design an assembly line with the
fewest number of workstations that will achieve the production quota without violating
precedence constraints.

Work Element Precedence Time (Min.)

A Material Sourcing - 0.1
B Pattern Making A 0.2
C Cutting Process A 0.4
D Manufacturing B,C 0.3

Answer-

Introduction:

A fashion manufacturer needs to design an effective assembly line in order to satisfy

production targets without going against precedence limits. Utilising task pieces assigned to
workstations according to their priority limits allows the business to maximise production
flow while cutting expenses and raising productivity. In this case, the fashion house has a 40-
hour work week with 6000 completed products to generate. The following are the work
elements, along with the order and duration of each:
- A: Purchasing Materials (0.1 min)

- B: Creating Patterns (reliant on A) (0.2 min)

- C: Cutting Process (0.4 min; dependent on A)

- D: Manufacturing (0.3 min; dependent on B and C)

Concept and Application:

We can use the following methodical technique to create an assembly line with the fewest
number of workstations:

1. Determine the limitations on precedence: To ascertain the necessary sequence of execution,

analyse the work elements and their dependencies. In this instance, D depends on both B and
C, and B and C depend on A.

2. Assign tasks to individual workstations: Assign work pieces to their own workstations that
are independent of each other first. As A is independent in this instance, it can be put to use
on a workstation.

3. Take into account dependent work components: Assign work items to the same workstation
or a subsequent one if they are dependent on previously allocated work elements. Since B and
C are dependent on A in this instance, they can share A's workstation.

4. Keep assigning work components: Until all work elements are assigned, keep going
through the motion of allocating dependent work items to workstations.

The assembly line design in this case could look like this:

Workstation 1: A: Sourcing Materials

Workstation 2: B (Cutting Process), C (Pattern Making)

Workstation 3: D (Manufacturing)
Meeting Production Quota:

To meet the production quota within a 40-hour week, calculate the production rate per
workstation:

Total weekly hours: 40 hours

Convert to minutes: 40 * 60 = 2400 mins per week

Workstation 1:

Station 1 produces at a rate of 2400 mins / 0.1 mins = 24,000 units per week

Workstation 2:

Station 2 produces at a rate of 2400 mins / 0.4 mins = 6,000 units per week

Workstation 3:

Station 3 produces at a rate of 2400 mins / 0.3 mins = 8,000 units per week

The fashion company can guarantee that the job pieces are carried out in the correct order
without going against precedence limits by adhering to this assembly line design. This design
reduces the number of workstations needed while enabling an efficient flow of production.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is critical for a fashion company to design an assembly line with the fewest
number of workstations possible in order to reach output quotas without going against
precedence limits. The business can raise productivity, cut expenses, and optimise production
flow by allocating task pieces according to their interdependence. Three workstations make
up the assembly line design in the example provided, and each workstation is responsible for
managing the relevant job aspects. It's crucial to remember that real-world situations could
call for taking into account other elements including labour skills, equipment accessibility,
and space constraints. To satisfy particular production needs and limitations, a thorough
examination and adaptation of the assembly line design are therefore required.
Q3. a) Write the application of bar code system and RFID in online delivery of goods.

Answer-

a) To efficiently track and manage inventories, barcode systems and RFID technologies are
both commonly employed in online goods delivery. Barcode systems make use of printed
labels that may be scanned by a barcode reader and include information encoded in a series of
parallel lines. However, RFID technology transfers data from product tags using radio waves,
making real-time tracking and monitoring possible.

Barcode systems are rather easy to use and reasonably priced; they have been around for a
few decades. Because they are simple to use and execute, corporations have embraced them
broadly. Barcode labels facilitate efficient and precise tracking of goods as they travel
through the supply chain. They are simple to print and apply to goods, pallets, and packaging.
Barcode scanners are able to decode data from labels and provide real-time information on
movement, location, and inventory levels.

Comparing RFID technology to barcode systems, however, reveals more sophisticated

tracking capabilities. Typically, RFID tags have an antenna and microchip implanted in them
so they can connect wirelessly to RFID readers. These tags enable tracking of specific items
by transmitting and storing a unique identifying code. This data can be collected by RFID
readers without needing to make a line-of-sight contact, which makes it more practical and
effective for tracking big numbers of things.

When it comes to security, RFID technology usually provides more protection than barcode
solutions. RFID tags have the option to be encrypted, which makes it more difficult for
unauthorised people to access or change the information they store. Furthermore, to provide
secure communication between tags and readers, RFID systems frequently use authentication
and encryption protocols.

b) Among the two i.e. Bar Code system and RFID which technology possess higher
security in tracking goods?

Answer-

b) While barcode systems and RFID technology can both be secured with appropriate
implementation and encryption methods, it is important to remember that RFID technology
generally offers superior security when tracking items.
Security measures can be applied to barcode systems to improve their dependability and stop
counterfeiting. You can use high-quality, hard-to-copy barcode labels to make sure the
information on the labels is accurate and reliable at all times. Secure scanning procedures can
also be implemented to confirm the barcode labels' legitimacy and stop unwanted access.

Likewise, there are several ways to secure RFID systems. The data stored on RFID tags can
be safeguarded by using encrypted tags, which make it difficult for unauthorised people to
alter or copy the data. To make sure that data transit is shielded from modification or
eavesdropping, readers and tags might use secure communication protocols. In order to
prevent unauthorised individuals from accessing the RFID system, access control techniques
can also be used to limit who can interact with the tags and readers.

In conclusion, there are distinct benefits to both barcode systems and RFID technology for
inventory management and tracking in online product delivery. Barcode systems can also be
secured with correct implementation and encryption protocols, even though RFID technology
normally offers superior security because to its unique identification codes, encryption, and
authentication procedures, as well as its remote reading capabilities. The particular demands
and specifications of the company, along with the required level of efficiency and security,
will determine which of the two technologies is best.