Purpose – The purpose of this study has been to analyse how activities on loading spaces can be standardized and more effective. The following two questions have been chosen to answer the purpose of the study.

1. Which activities are currently being performed in a disadvantageous manner on loading spaces?

2. Which improvements can be made to enable optimization on loading spaces?

Method – A pilot study was conducted at a fall company to identify the purpose to the study and its research questions. The case study was conducted in the form of a onecase design since case study was conducted at only one company. The case study consisted of observations, interviews and document studies. In order to design a theoretical framework as a theoretical basis of the study, a literature review was made. The literature review gave a background to theories in Lean, 5S, Standardized work, Muscle memory, ABC analysis, Poka-Yoke, Warehouse layout and Process mapping.

Findings – The study presents several activities that are performed in a disadvantageous way. Examples of these activities are variation in placement of sorting codes, inbound goods or consumables on the loading space and plural wastes connected to a scanning process. An ABC analysis of sorting codes, implementation of 5S and standardized work together with has led to a finding who shows the correlation between the abovementioned methods and how it leads to a standardized and effective work on the loading space.

Implications – Based on an existing problem, the study has been based on previously known theories and methods in the areas of inventory and logistics. The study do not present any new theory in these areas but shows the correlations between different methods to standardize and make loading spaces more effective. The correlation between the methods has led to a standardized work process and guideline for how a loading space can be designed which is a relatively unexplored area.

Limitations – The study was conducted at a fall company based on their problems at the loading space. A benchmarking within a similar business could increase the understanding of the problems at loading spaces and thus increase generalization further. In the document study have some statistics concerning sorting codes been unspecified, which may have affected the ABC classification. Further does the study only cover activities on the loading space. Activities earlier in the flow have not been taken into consideration which could lead to more solutions to the purpose of the study.

Keywords – Loading space, 5S, Standardized work, ABC classification, Wastes, Sorting code, Pallets, Visual aids, Scanning