Abstract:
The Mill Manager of the paper and board mill division at Packages, Fasihuddin Zaman, had to assess if the Rs 20 million bid for the automation of some parts of the mill met the requirements of the company. The proposed system had to be technically and economically feasible, and to be acceptable to the top management, operational managers and operating crews, and the labour union; otherwise, a new feasibility report had to be prepared. The case gives a summary of the production process. It lists the advantages of automation, and gives the views and comments of different employees on automation. Students should be able to initiate discussion on the risk and potential pitfalls of a significant process innovation; costs and benefits of automation in a process industry; and tasks and responsibilities of management in planning a technological change.