Reducción del tiempo de ciclo promedio del proceso mantenimiento y reparación de contenedores en un patio logístico

Abstract

CONDITION FOR PUBLICATION OF PROJECT. This project aimed to reduce the average cycle time per container in the maintenance and repair process at a logistics yard, which stood at 9.07 days, to 5.9 days per container as of January 2025. To achieve this goal, the DMAIC methodology was used, focusing on identifying and eliminating sources of variability. Process analysis revealed that the longest cycle time occurred during structural repairs of the containers, especially those requiring spare parts. Through this methodology, root causes were identified, and solutions were implemented, such as the design of a daily task plan, the development of an inventory check-in/check-out application with automatic alerts, and the automation of the email review process for container repair approvals or rejections. These actions allowed the average weekly cycle time to be reduced to 4.42 days per container. Additionally, a weekly water consumption reduction of 7.5 m³ was achieved, a weekly profit increase of at least $682, and a 23% improvement in job satisfaction. In conclusion, the logistics yard now operates more efficiently in terms of task management, spare parts handling, and information flow. Keywords: DMAIC, continuous improvement, variability, operational containers, prioritization criteria.