Industrial engineering

Industrial Engineering is concerned with the design, improvement and installation of integrated system of men, materials and equipment. It draws upon specialized knowledge and skills in the mathematical, physical sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design to specify, predict and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems.

Objectives of Industrial Engineering

to establish methods for improving the operations and controlling the production costs. to develop programmers for reducing costs.

IE in garment engineering
The garment manufacturing industry faces many global challenges due to various factors including competition, increased production costs, less productivity/efficiency and labour attribution. So, there is a need to focus and concentrate on identifying the real issues, taking corrective actions suited to the specific industrial centre of the unit, empowering the technical and managerial staff by enhancing their knowledge and ability, analysing orders efficiently and deciding whether actions are viable for the company.

 Industrial engineering in apparel production reviews the techniques for internal correction and openness for a knowledge/technology approach that needs to be built into the mind of the faculties to be upgraded as system run, rather than people run.

Functions of an Industrial Engineer in garment industry

Developing the simplest work methods and establishing one best way of doing the work. Establishing the performance standards as per the standard methods (Standard Time). To develop a sound wage and incentive schemes. To aiding the development and designing of a sound inventory control, determination of economic lot size and work in process for each stage of production. Development of cost reduction and cost control programmers and to establish standard costing system. Sound selection of site and developing a systematic layout for the smooth flow of work without any interruptions.

How do we measure performance?

Profit Financial measures Productivity output/input ratios Cycle time

Possible Performance Measures

Quality expressed as % scrap value, % returns, % downtime Costs expressed as inventory turnover, value added to incoming material Delivery expressed as % on time delivery, cycle time Flexibility as Average number of setups /day, % of common parts/product Innovation as %sales from products introduced in last 3 years

Company Productivity
Usually expressed as a ratio of output to input Greater choices of output and input Improved productivity is still important in determining wage remuneration

Productivity:
Productivity may be defined as the ratio between output of wealth and input of resources of production. Output means the quantity produced and inputs are the various resources employed, e.g., land, building, machinery, materials and labor. Productivity = Output / Input Productivity refers to the efficiency of the production system. It is an indicator of how well the factors of production (land, capital, labor and energy) are utilized.

It may also be defined as human effort to produce more and more with less and less inputs of resources as a result of which the benefits of production may be distributed more equally among maximum number of people.

Factors Affecting Productivity

(a) Factors affecting national productivity Human resources Technology and capital investment Government regulation (b) Factors affecting productivity in manufacturing and services Product or system design Machinery and equipment The skill and effectiveness of the worker Production volume