Changes in the manufacturing process of a logging company aiming at increasing production volume

Small-sized logging companies in Brazil mostly have poor production structure and low production volume, and their survival largely depends on the search for improvement in their manufacturing processes. The aim of this study was to propose changes in the productive process of wooden trusses of a small business in order to obtain an increase in production. All information related to the current production process was raised. A system assessment model was created with the ProModel software, and the results showed that the current production line has a very low use of equipment and resources. Taking into account all alternatives evaluated, an increase in trusses production was obtained by considering three devices, called woodcutters, and nine operators, i.e. an increase of 170% in production. An economic feasibility analysis of the relative investment was carried out, and its results showed that it is viable to invest in two woodcutters (one already exists in production) and hire three more operators. The computer simulation proved to be a great tool to assist decision making in the production line of logging companies.