Abstract:
The objective of this study was to enhance overall productivity in a metal pallet factory case study with work study techniques. Stopwatch time study was used to determine standard time for a metal pallet production. It was found that welding was the recognized bottleneck in the metal pallet production process. Therefore, methods improvement principle was applied to reduce the productivity bottleneck that occurred at the welding workstation. Examples of work improvements were using a fixture to hold a work piece and improving workers' skills with training programs. Results from the study showed that standard time for making the metal pallet was reduced from 126.31 minutes to 112.48 minutes, or 10.95% reduction. This change leaded to the overall productivity improvement of 28.77%, resulting in an increase in annual income of 1,965,600 Baht.