This dissertation is the result of a collaboration between FEUP (Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto) and Unicer Bebidas S.A.

 

     The main motivation for this study was the great challenge that is evaluating the operation procedures of a fast paced industrial activity, whilst not slowing it down, and understanding how to improve them, as long as the current procedures prevent system malfunctions, the average worker’s requirements are satisfied. However, in the greater picture, many problems may be undetected in a seemingly working scenario due to an unnecessarily large amount of stock.

 

     For Unicer Bebidas, S.A. , which is completing a great transformation cycle1, industrially and logistically, providing the perfect opportunity to study the company’s internal procedures, from an unbiased perspective, in order to understand which may be considered problematic, and put forward an alternative set of measures through an analysis of the company’s historical records.

 

     This will present the company with the opportunity to revise their concepts, strategies, and the reality of their approach towards its most important products, which, in the midst of the every day activity, can be a strenuous task.

 

     The suggested improvements have an yearly saving potential of over 500.000€.