Aspects Influencing Man-hour Efficiency of Kit Preparation for Mixed-model Assembly

Materials supply through kitting can enable space-efficient parts presentation that supports flexibility, quality and efficiency at the assembly stations. However, the preparation of kits is generally associated with considerable man-hour consumption and cost. Within industry, no consensus exists regarding how kit preparation should be designed with respect to man-hour consumption, and literature on the topic is scarce. Based on a literature review and utilizing the experience of an expert panel from industry, the paper uses a cross-case analysis of 15 cases from the automotive industry to identify critical design aspects of kit preparation systems and how they affect man-hour consumption.