Layout Optimisation: A Case Study at Pixartprinting

This thesis was created during a practical training period at Pixartprinting, a company located in Veneto and based in Quarto d’Altino. The organisation functions within the printing industry, particularly emphasising Web-to-Print, and was among the pioneers to rely on online platforms for customer engagement and product sales. Currently, Pixartprinting is acknowledged as one of the top competitors in the field, known for its impressive balance of quality and affordability. To offer maximum customisation and flexibility to its clients, while ensuring that ordered products are delivered within 24 hours in both Italy and internationally, the company continuously confronts challenges concerning efficiency and quality. A significant issue is managing customer complaints, which emerge when products exhibit defects. Consequently, this thesis has centred on analysing and enhancing both the arrangement of machinery and the methods for transporting materials within the flatbed department. Throughout the project, various lean thinking tools were employed, including the Value Stream Map, spaghetti chart, and Pareto analysis, to direct improvement initiatives in a focused and organised manner. The outcomes achieved at the conclusion of the project demonstrate that redesigning the layout not only decreased the frequency and distance of material movements but also minimised the chances of product damage in the production process, and reduced time lost in transfers between machines.