pumicing, in fact, are “dirty” operations because they produce pollution during the fur processing. Dying is another operation that is classifiable as “dirty” because of the use of chemical substances. By closely positioning these operations, it might be possible to
have a unique air vacuum and purification system. On the other hand, steeping and drying are strictly related for technological reasons. The hat’s final quality, in fact, also depends upon the time passing between these operations: in fact, it must not be too long. Moreover, for stiffening and finishing there is an organizational constraint. These operations are
directly related to the visual quality of the hat and use similar machines for final quality control. For this reason, they should be placed close together.
Raw materials’ availability: raw materials and accessory elements are stored in three different areas, two of which are very far from the blowing station.
Disorganization of tool arrangements: all the accessory elements used in the production phases
have a messy arrangement.