Carpas León: paso a paso hacia un mejor futuro

Abstract

This case study analyzes the current situation of Carpas León, a microenterprise located in Cuenca, Ecuador, dedicated to the production and commercialization of tents. The research begins with a diagnosis identifying key issues, including inefficient plant layout, lack of an inventory management system, inadequate use of financial resources, and lagging digital marketing and innovation strategies. As a first step, the company decided to address the issue of inefficient plant layout due to its direct impact on operating costs and production times. The main objective of this case is to design and implement solutions that improve the company's operational and financial efficiency by reducing costs and optimizing production times. Among the evaluated alternatives were a process-oriented layout, a product-oriented layout, a hybrid layout, and the expansion of the production plant. Through an alternative analysis matrix, the process-oriented layout was selected as the best solution. This approach allows a monthly reduction in material handling costs of $2.9, translating into annual savings of $34.5 by optimizing the movement of materials between departments. With this implementation, the annual material handling cost will decrease from $85.1 to $50.6, reflecting significant operational efficiency improvements. In conclusion, implementing the process-oriented layout optimizes workflow and material handling within the plant, providing a sustainable and adaptable solution for Carpas León. This approach addresses structural issues and positions the company to face market challenges more competitively.