The Effect of a new Manufacturing Process on an Industrial Organisation

Abstract

This research project hes been carried out at Serck heat transfer, an opernting division of Serck Industries Ltd. This division specialises in producing heat exchangers for mobile end stationary engines. It is organised into three semi-cutonomous mnufacturing divisions and a small central services group. The Advanced Development Department in which I worked is a part of this central group. It is a small department which conducts medium and short-term development projects aimed at improving manufucturing methods and cutting costs. When I joined the company they were acquiring a licence on a new manuracturing process, and I was given a brief to participate in the development of this process. The programme was to last three ye:rs and the objective was to learn the potential and limitations of the process, and to assist in the design of manufacturing plant for several of S.H.T.'s divisions. Unfortunately, the licenced process was discovered to be uneconomic. Luckily a cheaper process had been developed end this process was now adopted. This led to more research being done than was originally planned, and caused delays and some confusion in the rest of the programme. My research hes involved both practicul exercises, such as analysing the costs and benefits of the new process, chemical research, environmental tests end market research; and a more general look at the organisation - in particular a comparison of the theory and practice of R & D Management and planning. My conclusions are that the new process has had little direct effect on the organisation, but it has some effect on the structure of the research and development department. It could have a considerable effect on the organisation in the future, both directly end by influencing changes in its structure