IKEA Furniture Supplier Boosts Production Efficiency with New Factory Design Using WITNESS

Henley-in-Arden, UK – 25 February 2014 – Lanner, a provider of simulation software proven to maximise performance and optimise resources, today announced that Ekoltech, a leading manufacturer of furniture for IKEA, has optimised the design of its production facilities using WITNESS, Lanner’s predictive simulation platform. Challenged with increasing production for a range of 27 different products to satisfy a two-year contract, Ekoltech turned to predictive simulation to verify the design of an upgraded production facility.

The aim was to increase efficiencies through streamlining their production efforts, reducing inter-stage holding areas and avoid excessive handling, all common lean techniques. Working with Czech based simulation consultancy DYNAMIC FUTURE, the team at Ekoltech used Lanner’s WITNESS simulation platform to model their new operations. Simulating the new facility in a virtual environment allowed them to assess a series of design options within known constraints for the new production facility.

Three variants of production equipment design/layout were analysed and then optimised using WITNESS. The potential advantages and disadvantages of each design were quantified using the simulation which allowed Ekoltech to confidently proceed with the best option that is expected to generate significant savings during the life of the supplier contract with IKEA.

“Having evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of the three scenarios generated using WITNESS, Ekoltech implemented some changes to their original plan to reduce handling processes and improve inventory, and identified substantial savings as a result,” comments Jan Slajer, CEO, DYNAMIC FUTURE. “Through using predictive simulation to verify a plan, the team can have absolute confidence that the very best, most efficient, profitable design possible is being utilised,” comments David Jones, CEO, Lanner. “Exercising innovation in production processes is one of the few places left to increase margins, and through working with WITNESS and DYNAMIC FUTURE, Ekoltech is well placed to gain competitive advantage.”