From Plaster to Materials Management

a teaching case in a plaster product manufacturing company

Abstract

Case Context: Gesso Santo Antônio (GSA) is a consolidated company operating in the civil construction market, focusing on the production of gypsum boards and the supply of materials for the execution of gypsum elements. GSA faces two main challenges: the production sector does not keep up with demand due to the climatic factor during rainy periods, preventing the gypsum boards from drying faster, in addition to the lack of production planning to predict demand, and the second concerns the disposal and surplus of materials.
Dilemma: Managers need to (i) plan product deliveries, whether through production or order fulfillment, anticipating future demands so as not to compromise product delivery to customers, and (ii) devise viable alternatives for the disposal of materials in an economical and sustainable way.
Case objective: to encourage students to apply inventory control methodologies, demand forecasting, and material disposal solutions in practice. Its application is recommended, especially in disciplines such as Materials Management and Production and Operations Management.
Data source: document analysis and interviews with company employees.