Improving Operational Efficiency in an Industrial Laundry Plant through Value Stream Analysis under a Total Quality Management Approach

Resumo

Value Stream Mapping (VSM) visualizes, analyzes, and enables improvements in the flow of materials and information, starting with the goal of eliminating waste in its various forms, from overburden to labor waste. The objective of this article is to optimize the processes of an industrial laundry plant using the lean management tool VSM, obtaining benefits such as improved service quality and reduced costs for the industrial laundry plant. The methodology consisted of identifying and analyzing the garment washing process for companies such as hospitals, hotels, and clinics in a laundry plant through time studies and process and activity analysis, documenting the current state and a projected future state. The case study represents a significant area of opportunity, as laundry and dry-cleaning companies in the city of Pachuca compete to provide high-quality services to businesses. The result was a reduction in process waste, as well as increased productivity and service quality.