Title: An analytical approach of feta-cheese production line based on overall equipment effectiveness

Authors: Panagiotis Tsarouhas; Theodoros Varzakas

Addresses: Department of Supply Chain Management (Logistics), International Hellenic University, Kanellopoulou 2, 60100 Katerini, Hellas, Greece ' Department of Food Science and Technology, University of the Peloponnese, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece

Abstract: This paper aims to compute the efficiency of a manufacturing plant on the basis of overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) implementation in a traditional Greek feta-cheese production system. The analysis comprises the calculation of the most significant descriptive statistics, histograms and the boxplots. A practical process flowchart to maximise the OEE of an integrated manufacturing plant has been suggested. Moreover, the inherent availability, quality rate and performance efficiency factors, as well as the entire OEE, have been illustrated for every day and month. Maintenance time ratios at system and machine level have been determined to estimate the current maintenance strategy. The key purpose of the analysis is to locate the main vital machines in the manufacturing plant with the aim of evaluating and improving the OEE using effective management. Then, practical conclusions are made which require urgent intervention to increase the efficiency, productivity and the quality of the cheese industry.

Keywords: overall equipment effectiveness; OEE; productivity; quality; maintenance; reliability; feta-cheese production line.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2022.124903

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2022 Vol.36 No.4, pp.459 - 477

Received: 03 Aug 2020
Accepted: 21 Jan 2021
Published online: 15 Aug 2022 *

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