Lean and sustainability evaluation of the flow of material in internal logistics

Abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to study how the interaction between lean and sustainability theories works in the logistics department of a manufacturing company. The research has been developed by applying a Value Stream Map with adjusted factors to help to map the flow of materials throughout the department. Literature review have shown connections between lean and sustainability, but it has yet to be evaluated focusing on the logistics department. After the analysis of the current state of the factory under the two methodologies, an improved layout has been proposed. The results have concluded that Value Stream Map is a valuable tool to understand the performance of a company under both theories. The addition of the sustainability perspective to the lean tool has created the opportunity to evaluate more factors, which lead to more opportunities in the proposition of future state for the flow of material. It gives also the possibility to extend the “continuous improvement” (Kaizen) principle of lean to the sustainability areas in an efficient way.