Production Process Improvement, Planning and Standardization

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The suggestions for the implementation of the project are based on the calculation and the discussion. The results are yet to be implemented in the system and the production plan can be improved further.

Expected Deliverables from the project are:

- Time study of the current production processes

- Identifying bottlenecks and suggested improvements

- Determine the appropriate forecasting method using past sales data

- Forecasted production plan for next one year

- Developing a monthly production report generator – Using VBA coding

- Developing standard manufacturing process manuals for standardization of the production processes.

Methodology employed for the project:

- As Is Vs to Be analysis: Understanding the supply chain operations and current policy for the production plan and safety stock levels and then analyzing it and suggesting the new forecasting and planning technique which is efficient and supported by strong mathematical and statistical logics.

- Project Plan:

- Study of production process of all SOULFLOWER product portfolios and prepare process flow charts.

- Time study of each production process and identifying the bottle necks

- Consolidation of past sales data and identifying appropriate forecasting technique

- Developing production plan for next one year using suitable forecasting technique

- Preparation of SMP manuals for process standardization

Key Advantages of the project:

- Productivity improvement

- Logical forecasting technique and production plan

- Less stock outs and better achievement of service levels

- Process standardization for standard certifications approval

Recommendations:

- Suggested to follow simple exponential smoothing technique of forecasting(short term)

- Recommended changes in E-Commerce packing section to improve efficiency and smooth supply chain activities

SOULFLOWER – Company Overview

Soulflower is a handmade factory which manufactures Natural Aroma Products.

India’s leading home grown brand of natural aroma products and body care products made by hand using natural ingredients customized for various skin types. Aroma is what drives Soulflower and want to spread aroma in everyone’s lives. Soulflower aim is to use aroma and aroma based products to spread happiness and keep skin young. Soulflower products are created by hand by artisan & craftsmen with lots of love and attention to detailing. Their soaps are hand poured, hand milled, hand cut & hand wrapped with lots of goodness for the skin and love for its consumer.

Soulflower only uses essential & carrier oils, herbs, fruits, vegetables and flower extracts in its products. Soulflower is 100% vegetarian company providing people only the goodness of nature. They contribute to healthy living and ecological preservation. Raw materials procured are purely natural, home grown and local made. Major raw materials are procured from Kashmir, Kolkata and Hyderabad thus improving local livelihood. Dry flowers are imported from Kashmir, few Fragrances from Kolkata and Lemongrass Essential oil from Hyderabad. Most of the essential oils procured are from local parties. Every Soulflower product has aromatic effect incorporated in it and the quantity of aroma used is decided by testing the product personally and then aroma is added accordingly. Soulflower utilise herbs, essential oils, fruits and flower extracts in the production of its merchandise. No harmful chemicals are involved. Soulflower not only offers best products to pamper customers but also provides personalised solution apt for customer’s need. Soulflower believes that it is a brand owned by customers and evolves everyday by listening to them through social media sites and personal interaction.

Soulflower has a special team which gives information regarding how to use it’s products, to feel good efficacy of the product. Soulflower believes to reach out all the customers looking for Natural organic herbal quality products and is currently retailed from more than 150 locations pan India and is spreading its reach every month. It also retails through its experiential e-commerce www.soulflower.biz and other leading e-commerce sites. Soulflower products reach all parts of the country through major online E-commerce sites and offline stores through 7 distribution centres, two each in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and one in Kolkata.

Product Range:

Soulflower products caters to a Niche market of Body care, Hair care, Natural Cosmetics, Baby care, Perfume, Home Decors( Home fragrance & Dry flowers)

Hair and Body – Handmade soaps, Massage oils, Bath Salts, Essential

Oils, Body Roll On’s, Body Milk, Shampoo, Hair Conditioner

Home – Aroma oils, Essential oils, Diffusers, Potpourri, Dry Flowers

In addition to the above products, Soulflower also manufactures seasonal and festive products. Likewise in festive season of Diwali, Special aroma candles are manufactured in bulk quantities. Similarly products with special formulae accordingly to summer (cosmetics which doesn’t make skin tan) and winter (cosmetics which doesn’t make skin dry) seasons are manufactured in bulk for short period of time.

Customer Portfolio:

Soulflower serves premium customers segment and typical customer profile is given hereunder:

Customer Age Group : 16 yrs to 60 yrs

Focused Market Age Group : 16 yrs to 25 yrs

Average Age Group : 25 yrs

Average Income Group : INR 75000/- up

Average spent on telephone