Key performance indicators for the evaluation of balanced lines

Sales and operations planning and production planning for vehicle production are carried out mainly with cascading planning processes. This paper focuses on planning of the final assembly of truck manufacturers. In this industrial sector, mixed-model assembly lines show very different capacity requirements according to the product because of high product variants and shifting product mixes. The main task of line balancing is to evenly utilize the line staff. Market requirements and process planning both influence the utilization of staff. Furthermore, peaks in capacity can be met by flexible use of employees. A system of key performance indicators for the evaluation of balanced lines in truck assembly is presented, where simulation software is necessary to include employee flexibility.