How to learn from the crisis – Efficiency by flexibility and transformability in Airline Catering Facilities

Abstract

State-of-the-art science and technology for factories have to be flexible and transformable for a long-term usage in an unstable environment. During the global economic recession of the late 2000s experts of the airline catering industry were interviewed to get a picture how facilities are prepared today for strong changes. Preliminary analysis and talks by the article’s author led to the presumption that this service industry has high requirements for flexibility and changeability. Part of a detailed study that will be described within a doctoral dissertation were interviews done with experts of the industry. As a conclusion from the interviews the required flexible and transformable material handling solutions and necessary adjustments in construction were described by using the concept “Internet of Things”. Scenario analysis for feasibility and risk evaluation was concluded to check the developed alternatives. After this quantitative analysis a non-quantitative check-up was also done to compare these alternatives with traditional material handling solutions as build-up until today in Airline Catering facilities. The evaluation method can be used in future planning projects and also for the general analysis of further branches concerning the feasibility of changeable material flow systems.