Improving Standard Work Time Using MOST for Sustainable Automotive Welding Operations

This study addresses productivity and sustainability challenges in automotive welding-part production, where inefficient operator motion and lack of standardized work contribute to production shortfalls and resource waste. The objective is to improve standard work time and operational efficiency while supporting environmental sustainability in manufacturing systems. An applied industrial engineering approach was used, integrating time study, Pareto analysis, and the Maynard Operation Sequence Technique (MOST) to analyze and redesign work processes. Data were collected through observation, time measurements, and production records across key components. Pareto analysis identified priority areas, while MOST decomposed tasks into motion elements to quantify non-value-added activities. The results show reduced standard time and increased output, with Radiator and Backdoor achieving targets and other components improving significantly. Inefficiencies were mainly caused by excessive material handling, poor layout, and non-standardized work. Eliminating these factors enhanced productivity and reduced unnecessary motion and energy use. The findings demonstrate that MOST effectively supports both operational performance and sustainable manufacturing by reducing waste, improving process stability, and optimizing resource utilization in automotive production systems.