U-shaped layouts are useful for workstations and departments. They have several advantages: 1) Employees have easy access to needed materials and equipment located within the U-shape. 2) It facilitates teamwork as workers are in close proximity. 3) Supervisors can easily monitor all workstations. U-shaped layouts can increase productivity by reducing transportation and encouraging communication between teammates.

1. U-SHAPEDLAYOUT
Referstoa ayoutthat can be usedto designeverythingfromone employeesworkstationtoanentire
department
ADVANTAGES
 The employeesunderthistype of layouthaseasyaccessto all requiredmaterialsand
equipmentneededfordifferentpurpose
 Thiskindof layoutseamstobe natural forworkersteamsbuilding
 Withu-shapedLayoutworkersare broughtintoclose proximity,bounded bytheirequipment
that’shelpsworkerstodo theirworkeffectively
 Everyone onthe teamcan easily see whatishappeningateveryoperationalongthe waythus
allowfora rapid correctionat all workstationif problemdevelopatone station.
 A U-shapedLayouthelpsinshorteningthe distancethusallowingsharingof workaswell as
reduction of transportationwaste thusmayalsohelpstoincrease the productivityinthe
organization.
 The IN and OUT on U-shapedLayoutisclose thus allowingvisual control andmanagement.
 Communicationamongteammatesis more effectively easier.
 The work isdone inside the U, suppliesremainoutside.
 Usuallymachine andTablesare on rollersthatallow quickreconfiguration.
Many organizationimplementingJust-in-timemanufacturinghave foundthatthe U-shapedlayoutalso
helpsthem, withthistype of layoutdistancesare minimized andmaterial flow rapidlyfromonemachine
or work stationtoanotherthe flowprocesschart and the lefthandor righthand chart are alsouseful
toolsfor forwork place design.Bychartinga particulartask or jobitsoftenpossible toidentifiywaysof
improvingthe layout,longdistance thatan employeesmustwalkinmovingfromone locationtothe
otherlocation can be identifiedthroughthe flow the flowprocesschart,whileleft-hand/right-hand
chart will helptosuggestawork stationlayoutsuchthat the parts and toolsneededbyeachhandwill
be in an easyreach.
Mostlyof thiskindof layoutare foundat kitchen
DIADVANTAGES>
Might be too formal
Doesn’tencourage groupworkat the back
CELLULAR LAYOUT