Modularity in the Development Process: The case of SACMA

Abstract

Modularity is a strategy used by numerous firms in the product development process to reach a competitive advantage in terms of cost reduction, flexibility, and speed. The elaborate aims to analyze how modularity is implemented within SACMA, an Italian company leader in the production of multi-stage horizontal presses, where the automotive industry represents the biggest customer. Since their machines are 100% Made in Italy and they are customizable according to the clients’ individual requests, it is interesting to study how such a highly complex product can be produced in an extremely fast and efficient way to satisfy the customers’ increasing demand. Section I will explain, from a theoretical point of view, the different meanings of modularity and how it brings advantages to companies, while Section II will illustrate how modularity represents a benefit not only to firms but also to their customers. The concepts described in the two chapters will be reflected in practice in Section III, when it will be explained how SACMA implements modularity within the product development process, especially in the product design and process design stages.