A Cost–Effective Computer-Based, Hybrid Motorised and Gravity-Driven Material Handling System for the Mauritian Apparel Industry

Abstract

It is generally agreed that much time is wasted in non-productive operations during  manufacturing process.  Thus, many companies are investing significantly in a Research & Development department in order to design  new techniques to improve worker’s efficiency, and to decrease the amount of work in progress (WIP) on the shop floor.

Increase in the manpower cost in the Mauritian textile and apparel industry as well as the very high competitiveness on the international markets make the very survival of the Mauritian textile industry heavily  dependent upon the reduction in production costs.

In this paper, we provide an outline of the research work undertaken at the University of Mauritius in order to  develop a new hybrid automated material handling system for the local apparel industry. This has been done  with a view to reducing labour costs involved in material handling as well as improving the efficiency of the  workflow in the Mauritian apparel industry.

Keywords: automated overhead material handling, hybrid system, and productivity.