Research Brief #10

Development of a Growth Planning Model For the Small Forest Products Manufacturer
Louisiana Forest Products Development Center
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA

Research Objectives

• Research Objectives Develop a computer-based model which will allow a better understanding of the overall relationship between available resources, products, and the steps involved in the manufacturing process.
• Provide the manufacturer with a vehicle which will allow a manufacturer with the means to move from a small one-of-a-kind producer to a full-scale job shop.
• Provide the manufacturer in determining hypothetical machines and employees will do to the overall production in the facility.
• Provide a vehicle to get better understanding between the shop owner and employees on production management and an increase in production and management skills.

Synopsis of Results

Synopsis of Results Currently, the model will produce a production schedule and utilization report for the mill manager. This report includes the employees and machine availability throughout a day, week or month of production.

The model also will allow a manager to run a hypothetical situation w herein the mill can add to the current level of production and the necessarily machines and employees meet the increased production will be displayed.

Conclusions

The model provides the manager with possible outcomes for current and possible future production levels. This information can be combined with the knowledge of the manager to decide what capital investments are necessary to move the shop closer to a full-scale job shop.

Future applications include the addition of investment analyses and feasibility analyses, as well as introduction of a current database of equipment costs and prices.

Researchers

O. Victor Harding, Assistant Specialist
Forest Products Utilization
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service

Thomas Ray, Associate Professor
Department of Industrial and Systems Manufacturing Engineering
Louisiana State University

W. Ramsay Smith, Program Leader
Louisiana Forest Products Development Center
Louisiana State University

Target Group

Louisiana secondary wood products manufacturers

Methodology

A computer model was developed according to current industrial engineering practices. These practices include current machine and employee utilization, and current wood manufacturing equipment.

The model is written in Visual-Basic in Microsoft-Excel spreadsheet format.