1. Pleasant Company Assembly Material Management IE 476 March 7th, 2000 Team: Matt Van Dyke Kristin Shuda Dila Mohd Jared Hanson Abir Sarhan

2. Our customer Pleasant Company is a direct marketer, retailer, and children’s publisher, nationally known for the American Girl brand. Dedicated exclusively to girls ages 3 to 12, Pleasant Company creates high-quality books, dolls, toys, and clothing designed to enhance girls’ self-esteem and reinforce positive social and moral values.

3. Problem statement In the current configuration the shelves used to hold raw goods for use in the company’s light assembly processes are not conducive to easy re-supply or optimal for operator utilization.

4. Our Goals Design a better system to present raw materials to workers on the assembly line. Focus on raw materials that are common to several product lines Utilize worker input to finalize design specifications

5. Companies for Comparison Pleasant Company – Middleton Facility –Similarities Same procedures Line layout is similar –Differences Different products More basic supply methods

6. Companies for Comparison Emerson Motor Company –Similarities Assembly line work Small parts handling –Differences Smaller more precise hardware Lower volumes per line Restocking usually done during down time

7. Companies for Comparison Kohler Company- Engine Division –Similarities Assembly line work Small parts handling Much of restocking done from front of line –Differences Smaller more precise hardware Assembly fixtures/ tools used

8. Considerations Other companies had different operations but similar material acquisition movements Re-supplying the line without interference is a universal problem Any new design must have the support of its users to be truly effective

9. What we learned Reaching across line is permissible if items are within easy reach and items are not heavy Restocking should not interfere with people working Master cartons should only be used if empty carton removal does not hinder the work Raw material presentation method should not interfere with workpiece

10. Any questions?