Factory orders - build priority sequence

[scyan]

Hi everyone, I thought I would ask this question as I'm sure that I'm not the only one with this interrogation. The real answers can probably only come from someone that works in scheduling at the factory but who knows.

How does sequencing work at the factory ? How do they prioritize ?

Let's assume for a moment that we are comparing builds in which all parts are available and that there are not delays related to these.

- Is it based on colors ? This week we build Sting Gray colored jeeps, next week will be orange, and so on so forth.
- Is it based on options ? Do they prioritize the quick builds with no options or the ones that are completely loaded ?
- Is there a priority assigned to SOLD orders vs STOCK orders ?
- Is it a shipping question ? We need X amounts of jeeps to fill up a transport and expedite them to Y location and until we have a minimum qty of orders or we have had X amount of delay we don't build them ?
- Is it dealer or region performance based ? X or Y region or dealerships are doing well so this is assigned a build priority ?
- Is it in the order they are received ? (obviously not...)
- Are builds coming from Canada or overseas built after the others ?
- Is there a priority assigned to jeeps sold at MSRP vs ones that were sold with very little profit made ?

I could go on and on and on but I guess it's a start. Waiting for something is never fun, especially when you're so excited about it. But KNOWING is sometimes a relief, here's to hoping someone has the answers !!

 

[JLDucky7]

Hi everyone, I thought I would ask this question as I'm sure that I'm not the only one with this interrogation. The real answers can probably only come from someone that works in scheduling at the factory but who knows.

How does sequencing work at the factory ? How do they prioritize ?

Let's assume for a moment that we are comparing builds in which all parts are available and that there are not delays related to these.

- Is it based on colors ? This week we build Sting Gray colored jeeps, next week will be orange, and so on so forth.
- Is it based on options ? Do they prioritize the quick builds with no options or the ones that are completely loaded ?
- Is there a priority assigned to SOLD orders vs STOCK orders ?
- Is it a shipping question ? We need X amounts of jeeps to fill up a transport and expedite them to Y location and until we have a minimum qty of orders or we have had X amount of delay we don't build them ?
- Is it dealer or region performance based ? X or Y region or dealerships are doing well so this is assigned a build priority ?
- Is it in the order they are received ? (obviously not...)
- Are builds coming from Canada or overseas built after the others ?
- Is there a priority assigned to jeeps sold at MSRP vs ones that were sold with very little profit made ?

I could go on and on and on but I guess it's a start. Waiting for something is never fun, especially when you're so excited about it. But KNOWING is sometimes a relief, here's to hoping someone has the answers !!

Realistically all parts tend to be available it is the quantity that plays a factor, there are certain limitation due to production schedule and what suppliers are able to produce. These limitations will cause restrictions within each line of the plant which leads the plant to level production accordingly, for example the ratio for Rubicon/Willy's is 1:2 and cannot build back to back. Doing a little research one can determine that the Rubicon and WIlly's share parts that are specific to only them such as the shocks,rims and rock rails.
The other examples you mentioned also play a role into scheduling/sequencing, some more than others.

 

[Headbarcode]

Sold orders get prioritized over stock orders and videos of the manufacturing process show a random mix of colors from one build to the next. All else remains a mystery as far as the secret sauce of sequencing. There's at least 2 Jeep employees that are members here, one of which is an engine installer, and he has mentioned that even they don't know the recipe.

There used to be a website created by a Wrangler fan. For a reasonable and small price, he would track individual builds and provide the build sequence codes and dates for every step of the process. It got shut down about a year ago after threats of a lawsuit from Jeep. Now, the only way to track is by Jeep Chat or submitting your VIN to a link found in the build section which will notify you when a build sheet (marking the beginning of the build) gets created and again when the window sticker pops up (build complete and awaiting shipping).

 

[JIMBOX]

One --I say ONE of the sequence/continuation of construction is-----COLOR !

All the painting is by ROBOT/COMPUTER CONTROL and to minimize PAINT/CLEANING/FLUSH LOSSES-- they will try to keep the production line paced at SAME COLOR, NO MATTER WHAT THE MODEL OF WRANGLER--(doesn't include GLADIATORS MIXED /W WRANGLERS)--

At least that how it USED TO BE--not sure now !!

W.E.

JIMBO

 

[Headbarcode]

One --I say ONE of the sequence/continuation of construction is-----COLOR !

All the painting is by ROBOT/COMPUTER CONTROL and to minimize PAINT/CLEANING/FLUSH LOSSES-- they will try to keep the production line paced at SAME COLOR, NO MATTER WHAT THE MODEL OF WRANGLER--(doesn't include GLADIATORS MIXED /W WRANGLERS)--

At least that how it USED TO BE--not sure now !!

W.E.

JIMBO

I would've thought the same. Stingray Monday, Punk'n Tuesday, etc. Apparently that's not the case, because line production videos show random colors on consecutive builds.

 

[Notorious]

For consistency, I would assume it is based on equipment groups with the added, rarer options at the end of the assembly line. But then again, I don’t know.

 

[sf5211]

Those production videos on You Tube are very cool btw. One thing you mentioned in your post was a delay due to shipping and rail cars waiting to be filled. I noticed while in the Jeep waiting room that this was the case. Folks in Alaska waited about 3 months for their orders. I live in NYC and got both of my orders in a month. It makes sense if you think about it. FCA is not gonna send an expensive rail load that’s only 3/4 full. If you live in an area that doesn’t have many orders, you’re gonna have to wait until there’s enough to fill the train.

 

[JLDucky7]

I would've thought the same. Stingray Monday, Punk'n Tuesday, etc. Apparently that's not the case, because line production videos show random colors on consecutive builds.

They get painted in batches and then sit in a bank/selection area before they reach trim, this is why you will see different colors on the line. This helps with production leveling when it comes to building models with certain part limitations.

 

[richardya]

I don’t think modern assembly lines work the way people think. I would imagine two lines start for 2 and 4 door. And they split off for engines and transmissions and maybe rejoin for other things and split again etc. it’s not literally one row assembly and one car at a time down the line. And it’s computerized so I would imagine as order come in they just go in with the batch of 4 door, manual, 3.6s or whatever you ordered. Maybe the final time on line is for side steps and fuel door covers etc.

 

[JLDucky7]

I don’t think modern assembly lines work the way people think. I would imagine two lines start for 2 and 4 door. And they split off for engines and transmissions and maybe rejoin for other things and split again etc. it’s not literally one row assembly and one car at a time down the line. And it’s computerized so I would imagine as order come in they just go in with the batch of 4 door, manual, 3.6s or whatever you ordered. Maybe the final time on line is for side steps and fuel door covers etc.

Have you seen this video? Assembly is literally one line that snakes throughout the plant, it is literally is one car at a time down the line with both 2 and 4 doors.

 

[richardya]

Have you seen this video? Assembly is literally one line that snakes throughout the plant, it is literally is one car at a time down the line with both 2 and 4 doors.

Yes love those videos. They are cut and edited. You’re not watching one car from start to finish. In fact, do you see manual transmission going into next to automatic or 2 doors next to 4 doors?
I don’t billion dollar companies stop if one point on the line has an issue. But I’m totally guessing no real knowledge.

Maybe there are 5 lines stopping at stations that do the same things across the lines. I think ford had a great video on their line awhile ago.

 

[Dkretden]

Have you seen this video? Assembly is literally one line that snakes throughout the plant, it is literally is one car at a time down the line with both 2 and 4 doors.

Well, I’m not sure that you and he are saying different things...... it seems that at about 10min in the video, there is a station where the body (which has been working down one branch of the line) is married with a chassis (that has been working down another branch of the line). The video doesn’t show that there is one continuous line from start to finish, per se. it actually shows two lines that mate towards the end of the process.

I can imagine that Jeep has a few “sub” lines or storage corrals. For instance, the video shows a body being painted then immediately heading into a paint QC area then immediately heading into production. That’s editing and may not be actually how it happens. My gut tells me that the paint needs some time to cure so the painted vehicle goes into a corral AFTER the paint booth. It sits for the requisite time and then gets pulled into the next line as needed. If there is then a problem with it and the body gets “pulled” along the line, the chassis that it was going to be married to down the line also needs to get pulled. The really cool thing here is that chassis and body need to arrive at the same place at the same time. That’s cool.

 

[Headbarcode]

They get painted in batches and then sit in a bank/selection area before they reach trim, this is why you will see different colors on the line. This helps with production leveling when it comes to building models with certain part limitations.

Now that makes more sense. Thanks for some behind the scenes info.

 

[JLDucky7]

Yes love those videos. They are cut and edited. You’re not watching one car from start to finish. In fact, do you see manual transmission going into next to automatic or 2 doors next to 4 doors?
I don’t billion dollar companies stop if one point on the line has an issue. But I’m totally guessing no real knowledge.

Maybe there are 5 lines stopping at stations that do the same things across the lines. I think ford had a great video on their line awhile ago.

With production leveling and sequencing/scheduling there is the possibility that you'll see and Automatic 2-door then a Manual 4-door or any possiblity in between. And if there is a issue on the line whether it be due to quality, material or an act of god it will shut the whole line down, which is why im assuming it is important for the plant employees to be proactive when it comes to solving potential issues.

 

[Nitehawk92]

Have you seen this video? Assembly is literally one line that snakes throughout the plant, it is literally is one car at a time down the line with both 2 and 4 doors.

It would be awesome to be able to follow your own Jeep down the line as it is getting assembled. But no way that would ever happen...

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