Attempt all the questions.
Section-A
Question1) Explain the similarity and differences in layout of the facility manufacturing unit with that of the service set up.
Question2) Consider the following items which are stored in a warehouse.
Item Annual Demand Annual requests Unit Cube
A 100 units 25 1 cubic feet
B 50 units 5 0.5 cubic feet
C 200 units 16 2 cubic feet
a) What is the total demand for space for storing items A , B and C in terms of cubic feet.
b) If only 20 cubic feet space is allotted to item C, how many times would this item needs to be replenished in a year.
Question3) Explain the different software which is available to develop the optimal solution between departments.
Question4) Explain the different types of layouts and their basic characteristics. Select various products where you will suggest each of these types of layout explained above.
Section-B
Tata Motors decided to launch the common man’s car where he will not have to bear the hot summer and torrid monsoon where his family will be put to considerable difficulty by getting wet. Company hence decided to launch small car which can be easily affordable by present segment that uses the two wheeler. Their plan to develop and market a few thousand cars to start with and then scale up production to 2,50,000 cars per annum in few years time and ultimately expanding capacity to 5,00,000 cars per annum. An estimate was prepared to obtain about 1000 acres of land for the project. Tata’s conceived about project so that they can sell car for less than Rs. 1,00,000 and thus decided to provide land to their ancilliary units within their own plant premises. This gave them numerous advantages like assured supply of components, low transportation cost of bringing these components besides several others. They also decided to produce cars in large volumes that can be used in local market and excess production can be exported to other countries that are also in need of cheap and affordable cars. There was the ready market in countries which neighbour India. West Bengal Government in order to attract industry to its area decided to provide facilities for the project. The Government thus procured land from farmers at Singur and gave it to Tata Motors on long lease. The site of Singur was also close to their Jamshedpur unit and therefore they can get all logistic, design and other types of support that a new plant may need in its initial stages.
After that there were huge protests and agitations against allocating farm land to company and the firm was forced to re-locate its plant. On scouting for the alternative location several offers were received from the state of Pantnagar in Uttaranchal, Hubli in Karnataka, Pune in Maharashtra, and Sanand in Gujarat. At last the firm has decided to shift their plant to Gujarat. Although there is still some time before Plant at Sanand comes into operation but there is light at the end of tunnel for Tata Motors.
Case Questions:
Question1) Describe the considerations that will have gone into selection of Singur as a possible site for the now famous Nano Car.
Question2) Describe what will be advantages and disadvantages of using Sanand as the possible site for the Nano plant.