Title: An analytical study on establishing strategies for improving the productivity of the spinning industries

Authors: Ibrahim Joseph Mwasubila; Ismail W.R. Taifa; Beatus A.T. Kundi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania ' Department of Materials, Faculty of Science and Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract: Strategies for improving the productivity of the spinning industries are much needed. In this paper, a case of a spinning industry was systematically studied. The strategies for enhancing productivity were established through a mixed approach. The studied industry experienced low productivity as they were only achieving 55%-68% of their production plan. Also, their actual operational machine availability was 67%. The proposed strategies include improving the spooling and the drawing process by installing new machinery technology; improve raw materials and components flow; hiring well-trained workers; develop employee training programs; search for new market segments; establish effective information and communications technology section, and develop an implementable maintenance plan. The study also revealed that system dynamics modelling helps to arrange descriptive information analytically. Thus, Vensim® software was applied to illustrate the differences between productivity, specifically before and after implementing the established strategies. The study considered only a single industry and 'single-factor productivity measures'.

Keywords: productivity improvement; single-factor productivity; multifactor productivity measures; productivity index; strategies; competitive strategy; system dynamics; Vensim software; spinning mill.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2022.120804

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2022 Vol.40 No.1, pp.1 - 28

Received: 03 Oct 2019
Accepted: 09 Jan 2020
Published online: 09 Feb 2022 *

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