Global Truck Production - The Importance of Having a Robust Manufacturing Preparation Process

Paper in proceeding, 2016

Global production networks (GPN) are generally hard to manage due to spread of processes and systems. The amount of product variants adds to the complexity. This study, based on interviews and questionnaires, shows an improvement possibility by standardizing the process for preparing assembly work instructions on a global level. Furthermore, several factors that are negatively affected by not having a standard implemented are identified. The empirical findings suggest that a standardized manufacturing preparation process could improve knowledge and information transfer within a GPN. A standardization of the manufacturing preparation process would also decrease diversification in terms of double work and possibility to simplify infrastructure and to reduce the amount of support systems used.