Analysis of a Manufacturing and Distribution System

This thesis investigates two aspects of the manufacturing business of a designer and manufacturer of automotive components, Autogear Inc. The first aspect of the thesis conducts an analysis of the market for the automotive component. This includes a discussion of the customer needs and resources possessed by Autogear to meet those needs. Next, a new manufacturing system is proposed and analyzed for the production of steel friction gears. The market analysis begins by segmenting friction gear customers and detailing their needs as customers. Autogear is then discussed to determine what resources they posses to satisfy these needs. Autogear's competitors are discussed in the context of whether Autogear's potential resources differentiate Autogear from their competitors. The proposed manufacturing system uses some of the existing production processes and combines them with new processes. The proposed system is then analyzed and compared to the existing line. The comparisons demonstrate the improvements in inventory, throughput time, and total cost offered by the proposed line. Finally, Chapter Two details the next steps involved in further analysis and implementation of the proposed production line Thesis Advisors: Professor Thomas W. Eagar, Material Science and Engineering Professor Duncan Simester, Sloan School of Management