Reuma Cohen , Gadi Mukomolov , Yael Edan - Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, ISRAEL

In Israel, 3600 ha are allocated to growing tomatoes for the fresh-produce markets. This cultivar requires extensive manual labor which impedes the reduction of costs and improvement of working efficiency. Work study elements of the packing process were defined and data were collected according to work measurements techniques. A simulation model was developed to represents the packing-house's current state and to compare between work methods using data from the work study measurements. The model was validate, using visual analysis and statistical tests (T-Test, Kleijnen Test), the simulated alternatives were compared to find a work method that yields less process cycle time. An optimization model was developed in order to evaluate the number of workers in each station. The model output can be aimed for maximum daily yield, minimum time or minimum number of workers. The results of the work study stage indicate that assigning the best packing method to all workers with the current practice would lead to 6.5% increase of the daily yield. The optimization model results showed that allocation of 8 workers in the first working station and after 2.67 hours shift one worker from the first station to the second station would increase daily output by 16.7%. In case the farmer is interested in reducing the number of workers without decreasing the daily output, he would have to allocate 7 workers at the first station and after 4 hours move one worker from the first station the second station. The use of optimization tool will enable the farmer to increase the production and reduce the manpower under individual constrains.