How can we improve packaging processes to reduce its waste inside the beam factory warehouse of IBA, a project-oriented company in the medical sector?

Details

Supervisors

Chevalier, Philippe

Faculty

Louvain School of Management

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur de gestion, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

This thesis regards an internship carried out between February and May 2021 within the logistic department of Ion Beam Applications, a projected-oriented company in the medical sector. Logistics processes often involve substantial packaging, which generates detrimental externalities without creating any value for the customers. With this respect, this thesis's objective consists of establishing a state of play as far as the company's packaging policy is concerned, of subsequently formulating ideas meant to improve it. More precisely, it is focused on investigating relevant measures that would allow the company to reduce its packaging use and waste generation at the Beam Factory Warehouse located in Louvain-la- Neuve. Specific tools were used to conduct this project. Among these, the use of the lean philosophy was made via Muda, the 8 waste. It was a pillar of the project as it has helped to target areas of focus for improvement regarding packaging. Based on this, it was chosen to act upon the waste of extra-processing that was widely represented in the beam factory via 2 components, the duplicated lines in the picking list and the low supplier standardized and reusable package use. As far as the improvement perspectives related to IBA's packaging policy are concerned, lowering the conditioning of small parts in the Beam Factory Warehouse and extending the network of suppliers using reusable boxes are further investigated throughout this paper.