Building competitive advantage through platform-based product family thinking: Case powerpacks
Abstract: The purpose of this
paper is to discuss through the main aspects and principles of successful
platform-based product family development and management. For example car
industry and car manufacturers take advantage of platform-based product
families while solving the conflict of balancing between wide product variety
and operational efficiency. This is a common dilemma also in some other
manufacturing companies operating on versatile markets; how to serve individual
customer needs with minimum development, manufacturing and service efforts?
Product families are in this paper seen as an answer. Thus, the aim of this
paper is to promote the adoption of often complex and risky product family
development especially in technology and manufacturing focused companies. To be
able to minimize risks and maximize the advantages companies need to understand
the dynamics of the product family thinking presented in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach: After a literature survey the main aspects
and principles of the product family thinking are illustrated through a case
example from a company designing and manufacturing hydraulic piling equipment.
Findings: The case study shows that as universal practices are missing
the “best practice” in product family development is always dependent on the
nature of the company and its products. It is also evident that gaining
long-term competitive advantage through product family thinking will not happen
without continuous learning and investments in both time and resources.
Originality/value: This paper presents the main aspects and principles of
the platform-based product family thinking in a systematic and hierarchical
manner by connecting together platforming, architecture design, strategic
aspects and management perspectives.
Author: Jukka Ohvanainen, Esa
Hietikko
Journal Code: jptindustrigg120019
