University of Twente Student Theses
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Minimizing Manufacturing Costs of Flower Boxes : A Scenario-Based Approach Using A VBA Decision Tool
Aly, Amr (2025) Minimizing Manufacturing Costs of Flower Boxes : A Scenario-Based Approach Using A VBA Decision Tool.
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Abstract: | This thesis presents a decision support system developed for Hoefman Engineering to reduce the manufacturing cost of modular flower boxes for their client Company X. The current production method, compression molding, is labor-intensive, inefficient, and costly, with a unit cost of €53.90. The objective was to cut costs by at least 50% while maintaining operational feasibility under varying demand and deadline conditions. After evaluating 14 plastic molding methods, four were selected as viable: compression, injection, rotational, and intrusion molding. Using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), a tool was built in Excel to simulate and compare 24 production scenarios based on automation level, modularity, and shift schedules. The tool calculates total cost, unit cost, fixed cost, production time, and breakeven analysis. Results showed that an intrusion molding manual setup, product produced in parts, with two shifts, achieves a unit cost of €16.59, cutting costs by 69%. A breakeven graph confirmed the optimized scenario becomes more profitable than the current method within 217 working days. The tool is modular, scalable, and provides real-time scenario evaluation, offering significant practical value to Hoefman Engineering in strategic production planning. |
Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
Programme: | Industrial Engineering and Management BSc (56994) |
Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/107628 |
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