Combining Takt Production With Industrialized Logistics in Construction

Abstract

Construction industry has recently widely adopted takt production which stabilizes the production rhytm and improves flow of site operations. Based on the factory physics, it is known that when production flow is increased, external variation which can disturb the production should be eliminated simultaneously. Inappropriate material deliveries cause remarkable external variation and waste in construction operations. However, the reported studies of the takt production do not discuss in depth of the role of logistics and external variation. The purpose of this research is to investigate how takt production benefits from proper logistics solution. In practice, we explore the role of logistics in two project industries, shipyard and construction, in which takt production is implemented. The findings reveal improvements with regards to utilizing specific assembly and logistics units together with JIT delivery of material kits and integrated design and production information. In fact, results showed a reduction in the material waste and procurement costs as well as increase in the production rate in both industries but with different extent. The value of this research for practice and academia is that takt results improve when implemented with specific logistic solutions. Future research should investigate the impact of logistics in takt with using case studies and focusing on construction operations.

How takt production contributes to construction production flow: a theoretical model

“…Uusitalo et al (2019) have proposed a model to integrate levelof-design-based design management process with takt production, as aligning the design in parallel with takt time and takt areas would enable better flow in production, particularly during the ramp-up phase. In addition, just-in-time (JIT) material delivery matching the pace of work tasks was suggested as a significant enabler of flow; Tetik et al (2019) have suggested that centralized logistics control with JIT material delivery could improve flow by decreasing inventory buffers and variability in material flow.…”

Takt Maturity Model: From Individual Successes Towards Systemic Change in Finland

“…Logistics, material, and waste management are separated from value-adding work, by for example, utilizing a logistics operator that manager the material flow. (also suggested by Tetik et al 2019)…”

Kitting Logistics Solution for Improving On-Site Work Performance in Construction Projects

“…Materials are often either ordered too late, causing suppliers to maintain high supply levels to guarantee the delivery, or too early, causing material buffers on site (Vrijhoef and Koskela 2000). Many studies have shown that productivity and the flow of assembly work in construction have remained low, lagging behind many other industries (Lönngren et al 2010;Sullivan et al 2011;Fulford and Standing 2014;Tetik et al 2019). Thorough studies on workers' daily activities indicate that material delivery is a very significant factor hindering improvements in workflow and productivity (Vrijhoef and Koskela 2000;Abdul Kadir et al 2005).…”

“…Kitting can be used in renovation projects, improving the workers' workplace utilization rate (Tetik et al 2018). With kitting, material availability can be met through high-quality logistics and procurement, which can lead to higher production rates (Tetik et al 2019). When kits are prepared rather than all materials being delivered in bulk, defective materials can be sorted out earlier on; thus, only the required, undamaged materials are delivered as kits at the right time.…”