Product Description

After a brief introductory chapter, Factory Physics 3/e is divided into three parts: I – The Lessons of History; II – Factory Physics; and III – Principles in Practice. The scientific approach to manufacturing and supply chain management, developed in Part II, is unique to this text. No other text or professional book provides a rigorous, principles-based foundation for manufacturing management. The Third Edition offers tighter connections between Lean Manufacturing, MRP/ERP, Six Sigma, Supply Chain Management, and Factory Physics. In addition to enhancing the historical overview of how these systems evolved, the authors show explicitly how users can achieve Lean Manufacturing objectives (faster response, less inventory) using the integration aspects of MRP/ERP/SCM systems along with the variance analysis methods of Six Sigma. Factory Physics provides the overarching framework that coordinates all of these initiatives into a single-focused strategy.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #110673 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 720 pages

From the Publisher
Increased number of assignment problems.
Job design and human factor material shortened.
Increase in illustrative graphics.
More solved examples illustrating key concepts.
Framework provides an intuitive understanding of the dynamics at work in manufacturing processes.
Theoretical and mathematical underpinnings are included in the appendixes.
Integrates within the framework detailed coverage of topics such a JIT, TQM, constraint theory, and other recent advances.

Customer Reviews

A very interesting book though a bit theoritical for some
A very interesting book though a bit theoretical for some of us. Indeed, both Hopp and Spearman are providing us with the fundamental Laws of the factory. The background is the evolution of manufacturing since a century. From this, the authors are taking us in a journey towards the latest manufacturing techniques. They emphasize the framework of Laws or fundamental relations within the factory to help us understand Production Planning, Scheduling, Sequencing, Capacity Planning etc. It's a very good book with some technical annexes (like linear regression) to illustrate their statements. The danger is that some readers might be lost as one needs some basic knowledge of Manufacturing in order to fully enjoy the book. Nevertheless the book remains a reference for me and it will for all students or consultants in Manufacturing.

Best textbook to date relating mfg theory to the real world
Having worked with Spearman and Hopp at Northwestern during the formation of this book, I have been applying it's lessons in practical applications for over 5 years. The lessons learned from this book have provided me an intuition for reacting to and solving problems in manufacturing and business that has withstood the test of time.

Now, when a consultant, or a magazine, or my boss proclaims some great new solution, I don't compare the solution to some other proposed solution to try and figure out which is best. I compare all proposed solutions to the fundamental laws of factory physics to see which solution best suits my requirements.

The main drawback of the book is that it is a textbook and, as such, will require time to read and understand. On the other hand, the book reads well and is not one mathematical proof after another. The authors have based the book on solid science but have limited the extensive proofs for the appendix.

This book is a must-have reference and guide for anyone working in manufacturing or the business of manufacturing.

Make your plant sing!
One of the best text books I have read on any subject: clearly written, it links the practical with the fundamental and provides a proper theoretical basis to the dynamics of running a manufacturing business. The principles are also applicable to a lot of service settings.

For anyone with ambitions in operations or manufacturing management I really could not recommend this book higher. If you truly understand the principles described you will make better decisions throughout your career and your firm and you will be rewarded for it.