This book has proved its worth over the years as a text for courses in Production Management at the Faculty of Automotive Engineering in Turin, Italy, but deserves a wider audience as it presents a compendium of basics on Industrial Management, since it covers all major topics required. It treats all subjects from product development and “make or buy”-decision strategies to the manufacturing systems setting and management through analysis of the main resources needed in production and finally exploring the supply chain management and the procurement techniques. The very last chapter recapitulates the previous ones by analysing key management indicators to pursue the value creation that is the real purpose of every industrial enterprise. As an appendix, a specific chapter is dedicated to the basics of production management where all main relevant definitions, techniques and criteria are treated, including some numerical examples, in order to provide an adequate foundation for understanding the other chapters. This book will be of use not only to Automotive Engineering students but a wide range of readers who wish to gain insight in the world of automotive engineering and the automotive industry in general.

Proven technologies and processes are explored in this examination of modern automotive manufacturing. Fundamentals and applications, as well as new advances are discussed as the author bridges the gap between academic research and industrial practice. Having held positions as both a University Professor and as a Lead Engineering Specialist in industry, the author presents a concise understanding that reflects both technical and managerial perspectives with the aim of providing improvement through practical methods. Each chapter includes review questions and research topics, and, in addition, analysis problems are often included that comprehensively address: • Automotive Industry and Competition • Manufacturing Operations • Joining and Paint Processes • Production Operations and Quality Management • Performance Improvement Directly extracted and summarized from automotive manufacturing practices, this book serves as a fundamental manual. The subject is complemented by the author’s second book, Manufacturing System and Process Development for Vehicle Assembly, which provides even greater depth to the subject of modern automotive manufacturing.

The evolution and execution of automotive manufacturing are explored in this fundamental manual. It is an excellent reference for entry level manufacturing engineers and also serves as a training guide for nonmanufacturing professionals. The book covers the major areas of vehicle assembly manufacturing and addresses common approaches and procedures of the development process. Having held positions as both a University Professor and as a Lead Engineering Specialist in industry, the author draws on his experience in both theory and application to fill the gap between academic research and industrial practices. This concisely written, comprehensive review discusses the sophisticated principles and concepts of automotive manufacturing from development to applications and includes: 250 illustrations and 90 tables. End-of-chapter review questions. Research topics for in-depth case studies, literature reviews, and/or course projects. Analytical problems for additional practice. Directly extracted and summarized from automotive manufacturing practices, this book serves as an essential manual. The subject is complemented by the author’s first book, Automotive Vehicle Assembly Processes and Operations Management, which provides even greater depth to the complex endeavor of modern automotive manufacturing.

Lean Management Solutions for Contemporary Manufacturing Operations: Applications in the automotive industry covers recent techniques aimed at improving manufacturing activities in automotive factories in the time of the fourth industrial revolution. The book informs the reader about some improvements in hard skills (such as technical concepts, new tools, processes, and applied designs), as well as soft skills (strategic planning and the psychology of motivating human resources in manufacturing setups). The book also presents insight for managers who are working with a niche of employees with disabilities with respect to the automotive industry. Topics in the book include: Application of Graph Theory in Workplace Design Applied Design Disability and the 4th Industrial Revolution People Development, Motivation & Results Low Cost Logistics Solutions Agile Methodologies in Manufacturing Projects This book is a concise, informative reference which updates the reader on recent strategies to maximize productivity in the auto manufacturing sector.

The automotive industry is one of the most environmental aware manufacturing sectors. Product take-back regulations influence design of the vehicles, production technologies but also the configuration of automotive reverse supply chains. The business practice comes every year closer to the closed loop supply chain concept which completely reuses, remanufactures and recycles all materials. The book covers the emerging environmental issues in automotive industry through the whole product life cycle. Its focus is placed on a multidisciplinary approach. It presents viewpoints of academic and industry personnel on the challenges for implementation of sustainable police in the automotive sector

The application of systems theory to today’s businesses is a direct result of the enhancements that stem from globalization. In order to remain competitive in the new global environment, companies must alter their managerial methods and strategies. Systemic Approaches to Strategic Management: Examples from the Automotive Industry addresses the issues that industrial companies face in the current era of globalization and how the application of systems theory has affected their performance. Highlighting issues such as theoretical approaches of systems theory, production strategies, and organizational structure, this book is a pivotal reference source for practitioners, students, engineers, technicians, business managers, and economists interested in systems theory application in the management of industrial companies.

The material is concerned with fundamental activities of organizations - how they provide goods and services. The increase in international competition has seen a resurgence of interest in the development of this field.

Business practices are constantly evolving in order to meet growing customer demands. Evaluating the role of logistics and supply chain management skills or applications is necessary for the success of any organization or business. As market competition becomes more aggressive, it is crucial to evaluate ways in which a business can maintain a strategic edge over competitors. Supply Chain and Logistics Management: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications is a vital reference source that centers on the effective management of risk factors and the implementation of the latest supply management strategies. It also explores the field of digital supply chain optimization and business transformation. Highlighting a range of topics such as inventory management, competitive advantage, and transport management, this multi-volume book is ideally designed for business managers, supply chain managers, business professionals, academicians, researchers, and upper-level students in the field of supply chain management, operations management, logistics, and operations research.

In January 2000, Mercedes-Benz started to implement the Mercedes-Benz Prod- tion System (MPS) throughout its world-wide passenger car plants. This event is exemplary of a trend within the automotive industry: the creation and introduction of company-specific standardised production systems. It gradually emerged with the introduction of the Chrysler Operating System (COS) in the mid-1990s and represents a distinct step in the process towards implementing the universal pr- ciples of lean thinking as propagated by the MIT-study. For the academic field of industrial sociology and labour policy, the emergence of this trend seems to mark a new stage in the evolution of the debate about production systems in the auto- tive industry (Jürgens 2002:2), particularly as it seems to undermine the stand of the critics of the one-best way model (Boyer and Freyssenet 1995). The introduction of company-level standardised production systems marks the starting point of the present study. At the core of it is a case study about the M- cedes Benz Production System (MPS).

`This reader is an outstanding piece of work. It captures the essence of operations management by providing an interesting and sometimes provoking set of readings. It also provides an excellent review of the topic. Its approach to operations management is both topical and comprehensive. The editors have done an outstanding job of including many of the significant recent developments in the area, particularly in the technology and operations strategy areas' - Nigel Slack, Professor of Operations Strategy, Warwick University