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Case Study : Seattle Startup Company

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In today’s age of technological advancement, use of portable electronic devices has become a staple in our personal and professional lives. Seattle startup company JikoPower, seeks to utilize the most fundamental of energy sources, fire, to allow for charging of these devices in the absence of electric power. JikoPower is currently working on a product named “The Spark,” that serves as a thermoelectric generator, capturing and converting excess heat from campfires or stoves into electricity. This captured electricity can be used to charge USB devices such as cell phones, batteries, and LED lights. While the main objective of any company is generation of revenue, the company has altruistic motivations as well, marketing the device for use …show more content…

Proper employment of operations management tools and techniques should help ensure the success of “The Spark,” and hopefully establish the company within an international marketplace. At this junction, the product design phase has been completed, although continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles must be utilized. Using these principles will ensure that the company focuses on customer needs and delivers the desired product in a timely manner with greater profitability for the company by reduction of waste and minimization of input costs.
Standardization makes possible the interchangeability of parts among products, resulting in higher-volume production and purchasing, lower investment in inventory, easier purchasing and material handling, fewer quality inspections, and fewer difficulties in production (Russell & Taylor).
Standardization or modular design of manufacturing processes and supply chain will be crucial considerations to the sustainability of the company. As consumer demand grows, the CEO will no longer be able to oversee production of all products. In this case, JikoPower will want to consider third-way sourcing, which is placing personnel, equipment, or technology in supplier plants to oversee production and ensure quality standards are met (Russell & Taylor). Adopting standardization practices will contribute to optimizing

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