Albatross Anchors Unit 6 Mt435
Unit Six Written Assignment
MT435 Operations Management
January 22, 2013
Introduction Albatross Anchors can change several things to make their business more productive than it has been. They opened in 1976 with only four family members and now employ 130 people; this alone shows massive growth over the past 35+ years. By only selling at a wholesale level, this means that they produce and sell in mass amounts and therefore their supply chain and manufacturing process is extremely important for the company to make succeed. As of right now, Albatross Anchors is not only disorganized but they do not meet the US Safety and Environmental Standards. Albatross Anchors needs to adjust their operations in order to run smoothly and expand their business.
Question One
Carefully review the assignment scenario/case study. From the limited information in the scenario/case study, along with your answers to the unit three written assignment, identify at least three direct and specific long-term and three direct and specific short term operations changes that Albatross Anchor must make to gain a clear and sustainable competitive advantage (provide detailed information to validate and support each recommended change)
Long-Term Operational Changes
(01)
One of the first things that Albatross Anchors should do is to change their location and find a plant that is more than double the size than their current location. Since their business has expanded they need to expand their plant and find another location with more space. They produce two types of anchors and need to have the space to produce them at the same time instead of sharing equipment. In addition, their current manufacturing chain is also not running as smoothly as it should be with bottlenecking in the receiving and shipping departments. If Albatross Anchors were to find a location that is larger they will be able to not only streamline their production process they will also be able to separate their
MT435 Operations Management
January 22, 2013
Introduction Albatross Anchors can change several things to make their business more productive than it has been. They opened in 1976 with only four family members and now employ 130 people; this alone shows massive growth over the past 35+ years. By only selling at a wholesale level, this means that they produce and sell in mass amounts and therefore their supply chain and manufacturing process is extremely important for the company to make succeed. As of right now, Albatross Anchors is not only disorganized but they do not meet the US Safety and Environmental Standards. Albatross Anchors needs to adjust their operations in order to run smoothly and expand their business.
Question One
Carefully review the assignment scenario/case study. From the limited information in the scenario/case study, along with your answers to the unit three written assignment, identify at least three direct and specific long-term and three direct and specific short term operations changes that Albatross Anchor must make to gain a clear and sustainable competitive advantage (provide detailed information to validate and support each recommended change)
Long-Term Operational Changes
(01)
One of the first things that Albatross Anchors should do is to change their location and find a plant that is more than double the size than their current location. Since their business has expanded they need to expand their plant and find another location with more space. They produce two types of anchors and need to have the space to produce them at the same time instead of sharing equipment. In addition, their current manufacturing chain is also not running as smoothly as it should be with bottlenecking in the receiving and shipping departments. If Albatross Anchors were to find a location that is larger they will be able to not only streamline their production process they will also be able to separate their
References: Russell, Roberta S. & Taylor III, Bernard W. (2011). Operations Management: Creating Value Along the Supply Chain. John Wiley & Sons: Hoboken, NJ. Adopting Six Sigma. (n.d.). Retrieved January 22, 2013 from http://www.sixsigmaonline.org/six-sigma-training-certification-information/articles/adopting-six-sigma.html OSHA Regulations. (n.d.). Retrieved January 22, 2013 from http://www.manufacturing- safety.com/OSHA_Regulations.html