Modular Assembly in Mixed-Model Production at Mazda

Abstract

One of the most complicated areas to manage at our manufacturing facilities has been the Trim and Final assembly shop where several different models are produced on what we call a mixed-model assembly line. Due to the general shift in the automobile industry to diversified, upgraded and higher quality products, assembly jobs that had been handled manually became increasingly complex. In addition, changes in the labor environment (such as the decreasing labor force and reduced working hours in Japan), the quest for high quality and the need to quickly respond to the customers’ needs are all issues which have been increasingly gaining in importance.