Food-Processing-Plant-Design-layout

Food Processing Plant Design & layout
7.1 Importance and function
Module- 4. Food plant layout Introduction, Planning and Experimentation
Lesson 7. Plant Layout
Plant layout refers to an optimum arrangement of different facilities including human
resource, plant and machinery, material etc. Since a layout once implemented cannot be
easily changed and costs of such a change are substantial, the plant layout is a strategic
decision. A poor layout will result in continuous losses in terms of higher efforts for
material handling, more waste and rework, poor space utilization etc. Hence, need to
analyze and design a sound plant layout can hardly be over emphasized. It is a crucial
function that has to be performed both at the time of initial design of any facility, and
during its growth, development and diversification.
The problem of plant layout should be seen in relation to overall plant design which
includes many other functions such as product design, sales planning, selection of the
production process, plant size, plant location, building, diversification etc. The layout
problem occurs because of many developments including:
change in product design
introduction of new product
obsolescence of facilities
changes in demand
market changes
competitive cost reduction
frequent accidents
adoption of new safety standards
decision to build a new plant
Plant layout problem is defined by Moore (1962) as follows: “plant layout is a plan of, or the
act of planning, an optimum arrangement of facilities, including personnel, operating
equipment storage space, materials handling equipment, and all other supporting services,
along with the design of the best structure to contain these facilities”.
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