Freightliner LLC Manufacturing Optimization

Freightliner LLC has been producing innovative products since 1942 for the trucking industry. Following a 1981 acquisition by Daimler-Benz AG, Freightliner has steadily gained market share through acquisition and fleet sales. Following record production in 1999 at maximum yield levels, year 2000 hit the heavy truck market especially hard. High diesel fuel prices, low used truck values, and a slowing economy were just a few reasons for reduced truck sales. Through Ql of 2001, heavy vehicle production was down 54% compared to 2000 in attempts of lowering inventory amounts. In this new market, capacity is no longer the overall manufacturing constraint. The overriding concern instead is minimizing manufacturing costs to optimize profits This report details a manufacturing tool created to determine optimal allocation of build quantities at the six Freightliner LLC truck plants. This tool was created using linear programming in Excel with VBA. The four part minimization of 1) direct labor; 2) variable nonmanpower costs; 3) fixed plant costs; and 4) shipping costs along with sales and plant capacity constraints were modeled for twelve quarters of production. The tool was then used to analyze three scenarios, including I) a labor rate increase, II) a non-labor variable rate increase, and III) a shift in production volume. While this linear program was a simplified model of the actual Freightliner manufacturing system, it is capable of showing trends based on changes in constraints. The goal to create a working manufacturing optimization tool was achieved. This project affirmed the concepts of Linear Programming including model objective, constraints, decision variables, and sensitivity analysis in a real world manufacturing optimization setting

Should I Buy or Rent a Home?

The purpose of this paper is to provide resources to the potential homebuyer and allow him to make a less risky decision. Our team will use and apply techniques learned in EMGT530/630 for this recommendation. Being students in Engineering Technology and Management gave us an opportunity to help others make decision based on management science tools. Our objective is not to be the ultimate decision-makers; however, we will submit the recommendation and supporting documentation. We hope, in turn, others will use this model, enabling them to make intelligent decisions when deciding whether to buy or rent a home

Knowledge Management in the Working Team: Analysis of Team Learning on Firefighter Organization

Abstract: The research study attempts to understand firefighter team\u27s ability to learn and succeed in their task objective based on the critical practices of knowledge management found to be impacting new product team\u27s ability to learn and succeed. Tools that are used in this study are survey instrument to gather data and multivariate statistic tests to utilize and manipulate the survey data for verification and validation of team-learning hypotheses that we have developed for this particular case

Global Strategies: Developing Effective Intercultural Tea

Abstract: The 1990\u27s witnessed a fast changing and increasingly complex, diverse and dynamic period. A period in which the rapid proliferation of technology dramatically changed people\u27s perception of space and time. A period when countries and their economies became interdependent, leading to a global marketplace. This was a period viewed in terms of global strategies based on world trade and linked economies across traditional national and cultural boundaries

Compinches Team Diagnosis

Introduction Compinches are a group formed for experiencing hands on team activities during the term of a course in communication and team building. The purpose of this report is to diagnose the activities of this group during the term of the course and draw conclusions about the groups’ activities from its member’s points of view. If Katzenbach1 defines a team as as small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. Has Compinches become a real team, high performing team or one of the lesser performing models (potential team, pseudo-team or working group? It is necessary to examine the viewpoints of all of the members on how successfully they accomplished creating a common purpose, goals and working approach as well as how well they were able to function. In the analysis of the requirements the following questions must be asked; did the group have conflict, if so, how did the group resolve it? How were their actions influenced by the informal and formal reward systems of the class? How did members influence other members and what were the consequences? What were groups norms and how did they influence each individual? How did in-class activities influence members behaviors and actions and how did previous team experiences influence individual behavior

An Economic Analysis of Proposals for Salmon Recovery

Abstract: The focus of this report is an economical analysis of the four different engineering alternatives proposed to assist Salmon recovery on the Lower Snake River

Apple Computers

The legendary story of Apple began with Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs when two college dropouts joined to produce the Apple I computer in Jobs garage in Cupertino, California. On April Fool\u27s Day 1976, Apple Computer Inc. was born. After selling over about 200 computers to mainly hobbyists, Jobs started selling his vision of making the personal computer easy to use for everyone. As he stated mission to change the world through technology , his vision was one computer for every man, woman, and child. After they had a huge success in a computer trade show (West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco) in 1977, when they introduced Apple II, they began to indeed change the company and world. Apple sold over 100,000 Apple II by the end of 1980, generating revenues over $100 million. The Apple Company went to public in December 1980