Veronique Limere | Ghent University (original) (raw)

Papers by Veronique Limere

As the number of product variants, components, and changes increase manufacturing companies exper... more As the number of product variants, components, and changes increase manufacturing companies experience a strong need to reduce or handle complexity. Therefore, two research projects, in Sweden and Belgium, have developed methods for measuring the level of complexity in production stations. This paper presents and compares the methods. The Belgian CompleXity Calculator, CXC, measures complexity using objective parameters, collected from data systems.

_ This article gives an overview of the future research directions that will be explored during m... more _ This article gives an overview of the future research directions that will be explored during my PhD. The subject of this research will be parts kitting, or the practice of putting together a collection of components and/or subassemblies that support a certain assembly operation before delivery to the shop floor.

Small warehouses generally have different needs than large warehouses. They usually do not have w... more Small warehouses generally have different needs than large warehouses. They usually do not have warehouse management systems that are data intensive and involve high capital investment. Operational procedures are more nebulous and management control is less rigid. Because of the difference in operational approach, different measures are needed in order to enhance productivity. This paper describes the results and insights gained from a study of the inventory control and warehouse operations at an industrial distributor of maintenance and repair items. The accuracy of the inventory and the efficiency of order picking are studied and appropriate measures are proposed in order to improve operations. Improvements are in the areas of process organization, inventory accuracy, inventory control, and order picking. Implementations and results are reported. Major improvements include lowering inventory levels and more efficient order picking.

International Journal of Production Research, 2011

In a synchronous and fast-paced assembly line operation, it is crucial that the right parts are b... more In a synchronous and fast-paced assembly line operation, it is crucial that the right parts are being supplied at the right time and at the right place. In automotive assembly, the need for efficient material handling part delivery is particularly great because of extensive product customisation and the lack of space to stock all the required parts at the assembly line. This paper introduces a mathematical cost model for evaluating the assignment of parts to one of two possible material supply systems: kitting or line stocking. Case data from an automotive company in Belgium is used to test the model. The results demonstrate that hybrid policies, where some parts will be kitted while others will be stocked in bulk at the line, are preferred to the exclusive use of either material delivery system. The factors influencing the preferred delivery method for individual parts are explored. Numerical results are presented.

In this paper we describe the development of a planning tool for a department of commercial credi... more In this paper we describe the development of a planning tool for a department of commercial credit applications of a large player in the Belgian banking sector. The tool is created to cope with service level agreements (SLA) that put a limit on acceptable throughput times of credit requests. Currently, SLA requirements are not well met and customer satisfaction is low. Because of the highly variable process times and complex flows with rework loops, a deterministic scheduler is not appropriate. Simulation is therefore used to model the processes. Firstly, matching simulation results with real data reveals if the processes are lean, and fine-tuning can be done. Secondly, based on simulation results a tool can be developed representing expected throughput times and SLA impact for different degrees of capacity utilization. Consequently, different workforce allocations can be tested and deliberate choices can be made.

As the number of product variants, components, and changes increase manufacturing companies exper... more As the number of product variants, components, and changes increase manufacturing companies experience a strong need to reduce or handle complexity. Therefore, two research projects, in Sweden and Belgium, have developed methods for measuring the level of complexity in production stations. This paper presents and compares the methods. The Belgian CompleXity Calculator, CXC, measures complexity using objective parameters, collected from data systems.

_ This article gives an overview of the future research directions that will be explored during m... more _ This article gives an overview of the future research directions that will be explored during my PhD. The subject of this research will be parts kitting, or the practice of putting together a collection of components and/or subassemblies that support a certain assembly operation before delivery to the shop floor.

Small warehouses generally have different needs than large warehouses. They usually do not have w... more Small warehouses generally have different needs than large warehouses. They usually do not have warehouse management systems that are data intensive and involve high capital investment. Operational procedures are more nebulous and management control is less rigid. Because of the difference in operational approach, different measures are needed in order to enhance productivity. This paper describes the results and insights gained from a study of the inventory control and warehouse operations at an industrial distributor of maintenance and repair items. The accuracy of the inventory and the efficiency of order picking are studied and appropriate measures are proposed in order to improve operations. Improvements are in the areas of process organization, inventory accuracy, inventory control, and order picking. Implementations and results are reported. Major improvements include lowering inventory levels and more efficient order picking.

International Journal of Production Research, 2011

In a synchronous and fast-paced assembly line operation, it is crucial that the right parts are b... more In a synchronous and fast-paced assembly line operation, it is crucial that the right parts are being supplied at the right time and at the right place. In automotive assembly, the need for efficient material handling part delivery is particularly great because of extensive product customisation and the lack of space to stock all the required parts at the assembly line. This paper introduces a mathematical cost model for evaluating the assignment of parts to one of two possible material supply systems: kitting or line stocking. Case data from an automotive company in Belgium is used to test the model. The results demonstrate that hybrid policies, where some parts will be kitted while others will be stocked in bulk at the line, are preferred to the exclusive use of either material delivery system. The factors influencing the preferred delivery method for individual parts are explored. Numerical results are presented.

In this paper we describe the development of a planning tool for a department of commercial credi... more In this paper we describe the development of a planning tool for a department of commercial credit applications of a large player in the Belgian banking sector. The tool is created to cope with service level agreements (SLA) that put a limit on acceptable throughput times of credit requests. Currently, SLA requirements are not well met and customer satisfaction is low. Because of the highly variable process times and complex flows with rework loops, a deterministic scheduler is not appropriate. Simulation is therefore used to model the processes. Firstly, matching simulation results with real data reveals if the processes are lean, and fine-tuning can be done. Secondly, based on simulation results a tool can be developed representing expected throughput times and SLA impact for different degrees of capacity utilization. Consequently, different workforce allocations can be tested and deliberate choices can be made.