The company-wide effects of just-in-time manufacturing within an integrated materials handling system: a case study

Abstract The paper describes the formulation of a cellular manufacturing methodology to allow the use of an automated guided vehicle system (AGVS) in a difficult environment. The resulting methodology allowed just-in-time operation on the factory floor. The methodology was also shown to provide benefits additional to those associated with AGV usage, namely increased integration of the manufacturing control departments of the organization, and increased efficiency of their MRP system.