Åsa Gustafsson

Product quality deficiencies in the prefabrication industry for single-family houses

Abstract In the industry for the prefabrication of single-family houses, previous research had indicated that individual companies have problems in securing the product quality of incoming softwood timber. This implies that they need to carry out a quality inspection and adjust the softwood timber when it arrives at their facility in order to fit their production. Opinions within the industry concerning product quality deficiencies differ with regard to the handling procedures and the percentage of perceived deficiencies. However, there are prefabricators of single-family houses that need to find additional areas for use for their purchased softwood timber, and spend several working hours on softwood timber to meet the quality criteria agreed upon. A previous study by Eliasson and Gustafsson puts forward a number of proposals regarding the quality deficiencies of softwood timber in this context. The present work transforms some of these proposals into hypotheses and aims at describing and understanding what affects the perception of product quality deficiencies. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The paper concludes that the purchase volume is indicated to be related to the volume portion of the deficiency in the product quality and that the level of information- and communication-technology support in production (i.e. the degree of automation) is indicated to be related to the inspection activity point. An extension of the proposed hypotheses concludes that the inspection activity point on arrival and/or on delivery into production also affects how companies do perceive product quality deficiencies. Research regarding what affects product quality deficiencies is lacking in recognizing and knowing what is aligned with the perception of product quality deficiencies; the individual companies will have an opportunity to affect and manage their appearance and thereby enhance the use of softwood timber.

Quality deficiencies regarding softwood in the pre-fabrication industry for single-family timber houses

Abstract The members of the pre-fabricated single-family house industry perceive problems securing the quality of incoming material. Thus the implication is that they need to carry out a quality inspection and adjust the softwood timber as it arrives at their facilities in order to fit the production. Furthermore, due to the intense competition among companies in the pre-fabrication industry, there is a focus on reducing non-value-adding activities such as deficiencies. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to propose a number of propositions regarding quality deficiencies in softwood timber for the pre-fabrication of single-family houses. This study, conducted through interviews based on the theoretical aspects of properties, quality inspection and quality deficiency formulates seven fundamental propositions regarding quality deficiencies in this industry. The main differences among the companies studied are their purchased volume and extent of information and communication technology support in production. This fundamental description of quality deficiencies regarding softwood for the pre-fabrication of single-family houses will enable companies to focus on quality issues with their raw-material suppliers and thereby increase the competitiveness of softwood timber as a construction material in the industry.

Improved Ecoeffectiveness of interior hardwood products in the house-building industry as a way to promote sustainable forestry

Abstract Sawn hardwood is required by the market to be homogeneous, even in texture and colour, but the products produced by Swedish hardwood sawmills exhibit a wide variation in characteristics. This makes it difficult for hardwood sawmills to find profitable markets for all their products. By developing new products with other properties for the building industry it may be possible to utilize hardwood more efficiently and increase the prices. This would result in higher ecoeffectiveness (defined as value in relation to environmental impact) of the forest-related business system by giving an incentive to grow deciduous forests, which leads to richer biological diversity. Diversity is fundamental to achieving sustainable forestry. At the same time, other less ecoefficient materials in buildings may be replaced. Exploring the requirements of the customers is essential before developing new products, in order to maximize the value of a product. In this study, the requirements of interior hardwood products in the Swedish house-building industry were studied in interviews and through questionnaires. The most important requirements, ranked higher than price, are delivery on time, shape stability, packaged products, rapid delivery and accurate moisture content. The results make it possible to focus on critical factors to gain market shares for hardwood as an ecoeffective building material.