IDM 354: Plant Layout and Work Design Welcome to IDM 354 Plant Layout and Work Design presented by the Department of Industrial Management here at Southwest Missouri State University. My name is Rathel R. (Dick) Smith, and most folks just call me Dick. I'll be guiding you in the study of facility and work design through a series of assignments, exercises and quizzes. While in recent years, manufacturing of the United States has suffered significant blows from foreign competition. It still remains strong and a major contributor to our economy. Improved work design and facility planning reduces total operating cost and better positions a manufacturing company to compete in the global market place. It is being estimated that 20 to 50 percent of the total cost in manufacturing is material handling which has a direct relationship to effective facility design. Once the semester is completed, you should be prepared to first, design individual work centers in consideration to both human and time factors, apply proper facility design as related to the demand of the product, select appropriate material handling equipment, and prepare a facility plan for presentation. You've received a packet, included in that packet is a copy of diskette which contains information related to this course-class exercises and assignments. Your first step is to review the diskette, sign on to the eSchool Blackboard site following the guides provided. Hey, we'll see you online. |