This episode focuses on an automotive OEM’s paint shop operation.
This automotive company has operations around the world but the paint shop operation I will be focusing on has ties to their vehicles produced in the eastern parts of the United States and western parts of Europe.
The simplified problem statement from the customer was this:
Help us to paint our vehicles in the most efficient manner while considering time and material constraints.
The complex problem statement and scope from the customer:
We need to properly sequence our paint shop operation which is tasked with painting upwards of 10,000 vehicles a week, some two-tone, while considering our utilization of paint, solvents, water, labor resources, and of course the dealer delivery dates where expedited shipping should be limited to reduce overall costs to the company.