A Simulation-Based Approach for Evaluating Different Model Mixes for Production Planning of a Contract Manufacturer in the Automotive Industry

Contract manufacturers face challenges with short-term orders, cost pressures, and diverse customer requirements. Customer trends in the automotive industry intensify these challenges with reduced batch sizes and individual customization. Traditional analytic planning methods are insufficient for handling the complexity of modern manufacturing processes. Computational power alone cannot overcome this obstacle, careful modeling of production processes and resources is essential. Simulative approaches have been developed to address similar problems. In this use case, we aim to adapt and implement these approaches for a leading automotive contract manufacturer. A comprehensive assessment will then verify the adapted approach’s viability and potential.