Browsing by Author "Wannisingha, W.M.N.N."

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Increase the performance of apparel industry through the application of lean tools and techniques
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Wijayanayake, A.; Wannisingha, W.M.N.N.
Lean manufacturing is an approach to identify and eliminate wastes through continuous improvement. Lean principles and techniques that drive organizations to continually add value to the product they deliver by enhancing process steps that are necessary, relevant, and valuable while eliminating those that fail to add value. Lean has been used in manufacturing for decades and has been associated with enhanced product quality and overall corporate success. The benefits of using lean manufacturing approach are evident in factories all over the world. With a view to achieve performance improvement, both developed and developing countries are applying lean. The apparel manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka faces many challenges as a result of low cost garment manufacturers worldwide, and which now seeks options and tools to stay in the competitive market. With this need in mind many apparel companies have looked at lean manufacturing as a valuable method to promote new strategic positioning. There is no evidence in the literature in similar research where a framework is developed to identify the most appropriate lean tools or technique that could be used to minimize a particular waste. The purpose of this study is to identify the waste that is common in apparel industry in different departments and to map the most effective lean tools and techniques that are applicable to reduce the identified waste. This will enable to reduce waste, cost and time taken for each non value added activity and enable to stay competitive in the international market. A framework has been developed by mapping the significant waste in apparel industry with the most appropriate lean tools and techniques that has been proven effective in eliminating waste in order to improve the apparel manufacturing performance. The study, first, undertook literature review in the area of lean manufacturing and developed extensive research questions. These questionnaires were given to 15 lean practitioners in selected leading apparel manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka. The collected data was analyzed and tested on several nonparametric tests using SPSS version 22.
A Strategic Analysis of the use of Third Party Logistics Providers (3PLs) in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Industry: A Systematic Review of Literature
(University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, 2015) Heiyantuduwa, M.; Wannisingha, W.M.N.N.; Rupasinghe, Thashika
This topic is of strategic importance where Sri Lanka is moving into a manufacturing economy. In getting there it is vital to find the applicability of using experts in logistics that is called the Third Party Logistics (3PL). 3PLs can be generally defined as outsourcing a firm’s logistics functions to one or more specialist firms which are known as 3PL providers. Over the past few decades, the consumer goods industry has experienced a shift in supply chain strategy from the push approach directed by manufacturers and suppliers to pull approach driven by retailers. Also, there is an increasing emphasis on services, reduced inventory levels and cost of logistics. Because of this increasingly demanding environment in managing consumer goods companies, they are progressively seeking assistance from 3PLs, 4PLs, and LLPs. Outsourcing the logistics functions lets the user focus on their core competencies, while experts take care of the logistics functions, giving the benefits of increased flexibility, reduced costs and improved services. Consequently, identifying potential enhancements in strategic use of 3PLs by the FMCG companies is increasingly being a focus point in current research. Having the objectives of providing a collective picture of current state of knowledge in this context and setting up a path for future research, this study is based on a comprehensive, systematic review of literature published in relation to the strategic use of 3PLs in FMCG industry. The scrutiny identifies several knowledge gaps where strategic use of 3PLs in the industry could be optimized, and develops propositions for future research.