The Effect of a new Manufacturing Process on an Industrial Organisation

Abstract

This research project hes been carried out at Serck heat transfer, an opernting division of Serck Industries Ltd. This division specialises in producing heat exchangers for mobile end stationary engines. It is
organised into three semi-cutonomous mnufacturing divisions and a small central services group. The Advanced Development Department in which I worked is a part of this central group. It is a small department which conducts medium and short-term development projects aimed at improving manufucturing methods and cutting costs.

When I joined the company they were acquiring a licence on a new
manuracturing process, and I was given a brief to participate in the
development of this process. The programme was to last three ye:rs
and the objective was to learn the potential and limitations of the
process, and to assist in the design of manufacturing plant for
several of S.H.T.'s divisions. Unfortunately, the licenced process
was discovered to be uneconomic. Luckily a cheaper process had been
developed end this process was now adopted. This led to more research
being done than was originally planned, and caused delays and some confusion in the rest of the programme.

My research hes involved both practicul exercises, such as analysing the costs and benefits of the new process, chemical research,
environmental tests end market research; and a more general look at
the organisation - in particular a comparison of the theory and
practice of R & D Management and planning. My conclusions are that
the new process has had little direct effect on the organisation, but
it has some effect on the structure of the research and development
department. It could have a considerable effect on the organisation in the future, both directly end by influencing changes in its structure

Date of Award	Jul 1978
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Aston University