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Agility and Industry 4.0 Implementation Strategy in a Quebec Manufacturing SME

Author

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  • Stéphanie Bouchard

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada)

  • Georges Abdulnour

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada)

  • Sébastien Gamache

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada)

Abstract

The emergence of new information technologies, market globalization, climate change, labor shortages, and changing consumer habits have led to dynamic demand and the need for customized mass production systems. This has forced companies, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME), to rethink their product design, production, and marketing models to remain competitive by increasing their agility in the face of growing and changing demand. It becomes relevant to investigate how to move efficiently towards customized mass production in an Industry 4.0 (I4.0) environment. The objective of this research is to develop a strategy for implementing I4.0 in manufacturing SME, based on lean, agility, and intelligent modular product design. A literature review made it possible to target the following performance measures: reducing inventory, minimizing makespan, and reducing time to consumer (reaction time). A case study was conducted in an SME in the agri-food sector to validate the proposed strategy. Inventory levels were reduced by more than 70% and time was cut by almost 65%.

Suggested Citation

  • Stéphanie Bouchard & Georges Abdulnour & Sébastien Gamache, 2022. "Agility and Industry 4.0 Implementation Strategy in a Quebec Manufacturing SME," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-25, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7884-:d:850621
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gokhan Egilmez & Bulent Erenay & Gürsel A. Süer, 2019. "Hybrid cellular manufacturing system design with cellularisation ratio: an integrated mixed integer nonlinear programming and discrete event simulation approach," International Journal of Services and Operations Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 32(1), pages 1-24.
    2. Safaei, Nima & Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, Reza, 2009. "Integrated multi-period cell formation and subcontracting production planning in dynamic cellular manufacturing systems," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(2), pages 301-314, August.
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