Mathew Shadrack Uzoma^1,, Eseonu Obi¹

The research focus is redesigning the facility layout of Piedmont Plywood Industry, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Optimal approach to productivity and cost to yielding in facility layout design modifications is the trend in this research work. The facility layout modification central idea is the plant layout factor. Plant layout factor deals path modification. That is arrangement of machine, equipment and work stations as close as possible for optimal utilization of available space in the work environment. The productivity index for the current layout or the existing layout is 0.000275m3/Naira. The Alternative 1 modification productivity index is 0.000289m3/Naira and that of Alternative 2 modification is 0.000296m3/Naira. This is an indication of higher rate of return on investment for the two alternative layout modifications. It is interesting to note that the results of the productivity index impacts positively on labor and capital cost of investment in such manner that there is tremendous cut back. The Alternative 1 modification resulted in total cost savings of N1,015,411.00/month while that of Alternative 2 is N1,436,545.00/month. These constitutes tremendous cut back on investments when accumulated over years. The Piedmont Plywood Product Industry and other wood product industries are strongly advised to inject the findings of the alternative layout modifications in the existing factory layout designs.

productivity index, current layout, alternative layout modification, higher rate of return on investment