Impact of the Nominated Constrains on the Process of Producing Skim Milk - Term Paper Example

Name Instructor Course 16 October 2009 Impact of the Nominated Constrain(s) on the Process of Producing Skim Milk The process of producing skim milk is an energy intensive process therefore reducing carbon footprint requires energy consumption to be reduced remarkably by about 10% to 15%. These limiting requirements of the process involve a number of risks and challenges that form the constraints for the process. These constraints are analyzed to determine their impact on the process of producing skim milk under two broad headings: 1. Internal constraints 2. External constraints 1. Internal constraints These are factors within the process of skim milk production that determine the effectiveness of the process and determine the level of risk posed in producing skim milk. These constrains are: I. Choice of process The specifications of the quality and quantity content of the skim milk desired forms the basis of the kind of process to be used which in effect reflects on the impact the process will have on the overall process of production. For instance, skim powder milk containing 10-15% by weight of galacto-oligosaccharide is preferred to be produced through a process that involves heating the skim milk up to 15 minutes to a temperature of 70 - 80 degrees in order to terminate the enzymatic reactions. On the other hand, when skim milk with the above content specifications is produced by reacting skim milk powder as the starting material with β- galactosidase, the yield of galacto-oligosaccharide is low because the lactose concentration in skim milk powder is low (about 5% by weight). It is therefore clear that the choice of process for the process of producing skim milk has an impact on the skim milk production (Sieper 91). II. Selection of process conditions Every process of production has a variety of conditions that are optimal to it and thus choosing these conditions appropriately is just as imperative to the success and effectiveness of the process used in skim milk production as is poor choice of these conditions detrimental. This process is high energy intensive and therefore careful selection and accuracy in suscepting the reactant to correct temperature limits (70 to 85)degrees is important. The involvement of enzymes present in the concentrated milk used in producing skim milk also requires careful handling since enzymes are highly thermo-sensitive. These heating should however be such that it does not increase viscosity of the sludge milk so much that conversion, say to skim milk powder, is not made difficult. It is clear that conditions selected have an impact on the process of production of skim milk either by slowing the process down while making it costly or makes it convenient and sustainable for mass production (McGee 113). III. Materials and style of construction The basic materials required for skim milk production include primary provision of fresh milk and industrial ingredients useful in processing and preservation of skim milk. The involvement of heating and cooling within the process of production makes it necessary to have machine construction adequately insulated to limit work hazards and injuries. Closely akin to this constraint is milk handling practices that when they are inadequate lead to wanton losses and incapacitates scope of production. This may be considered the stringiest of the constraints that has the greatest impact on process of skim milk production. It determines the profitability and efficient use of raw materials availed for production therefore when overlooked it greatly gnaws on the optimization of production (Cheryan 8). IV.Design delivery Once the milk has been produced, it has to be availed to the target market in time (given its perishability) and conveniently. Here there are methods of delivery that can be used the most common (and sufficient) being through elaborate distribution channels that draws services from a wide host of people employed for marketing and sales delivery. Design delivery is so important since failure in delivery defeats the very reason for production therefore putting the impact tagged to this one constraint so costly. However, this constraint is alleviated from having tremendous impact single handedly since it involves marketing methods that involve people. When people are well trained in marketing and because of the overt need for skim milk (ready market), need for design of delivery to be so elaborate is not a matter of life and death as long as the target market is availed with the product. 2. External constraints These constitute factors that are not directly involved in the process of skim milk production but have an impact on its effective usage and provision to the target market. The factors are far and wide reaching in their impact and they include: I. Physical laws These laws are the ones that govern the flow of products into the market among other intentions they are designed to meet. Government policies that regulate quality assurance and revenue regulations in business are a typical example. This requires a high level of hygiene especially given that skim milk is a product that is perishable and highly affected by storage, transportation and delivery methods. Governments and agencies therefore suscept such products to high level of scrutiny so as to safeguard citizens’ health concerns by ensuring that only certified products float in the market. In the event that these regulations become too tightened say to include packaging and advertisement directives, they become costly for firms to comply with in the process impacting their volume f sales (Betty 39). II. Availability of resources The scope of resources required in production is extensive. It includes human resources, physical resources, organizational resources and capabilities all of which when harnessed realize company goals and may give it comparative advantage. With the business society shifting towards human empowerment for profitability in service delivery, investment in human resources is maybe the most important factor. Skim milk producing companies therefore are to invest in these resources that will help them reach their target markets effectively while expanding their market coverage. Availability of these resources and their effective harnessing to realize company goals is important in its impact on efficient product sales (Mahoney111). III. Project delivery model This constraint can view delivery in two fronts: volume delivery from production of skim milk and delivery of the milk into the market. The model used for the project to realize these delivery requirements is important in the overall performance of both the process of production and sales. A model that is all inclusive in its basis on critical analysis of costs against benefits is the most desirable preferring that model that realizes goals while incurring least cost with maximum benefit. The impact caused by this constraint on production of skim milk is well envisioned when a case where high product production is halted by poor distribution to the intended target market. Whereas the process used in production may be efficient and convenient, delivery model that does not match the investment put in production is economically lethal therefore putting in the lime light the importance this constraint has on the industry (Scott 78). IV.Economic and financial constraints Virtually no venture can ever be done with expectation of economic success without financial investment. Financial constraint is the one factor upon which all others stem from whether directly or indirectly. For the material and equipment required to be availed, finances are needed. For the best approach to be settled on about the process to be used, research is to be done to choose the most effective process which (research) has financial demands. All the other resources (human, physical and/or organization) have a financial dependence in employment, promotion, advertisement and expansion. Closely related to financial constraint is its economic counterpart. Prevailing economic circumstances in the market greatly affect production and subsequently sales. A good example is the currently receding global economic crunch that has plunged global businesses into turmoil. Therefore, these two constraints have a big impact on production process of skim milk and its sequential sale in the market (Kleyn 37). V. Standards and codes constraint Standards needed in skim milk production can be looked at in two fronts: hygienic standards and quality standards. These two fronts are regulated by government agencies tasked with this responsibility. However, it is the responsibility of the production firm to ensure high standards of hygiene and quality are observed (and realized) during and after production to save it from being called upon to revise its standards. Such requirements (by government or international market) are costly to the firm since they may involve recalling of already dispatched goods or complete discarding of the goods which no doubt translates in unbearable losses. The impact therefore that standards and codes have on production process and product distribution is clearly overt (Kosikowski 51). VI. Safety requirement constraint This may involve safety of the product as well as employees. Once production has been done, transportation and shipment to the target market becomes the next concern. Safe, economical shipment and transportation methods are to be preferred given the delicate requirements of skim milk in its ease of going bad when inappropriately stored or handled. Not only is safety entirely considered on the product in determining its impact, but also on the employees. The safety measures availed in the industrial machines and processing is imperative in production line. For instance, workers’ welfare regulations require complete compensation for employees who get injured on job especially when the cause of injury can be attributed to company’s negligence of some sort. These compensation requirements usually translate into thousands of dollars on single individuals therefore in the event that workers’ safety is not worked towards, it may turn out costly for the firm (Hood 25). In conclusion, it is clear that the production of skim milk is greatly impacted by a myriad of constraints as delineated above. It is therefore economically prudent to analyze selected constraints in question to ensure that the impact they cause on the process of production of skim milk is kept in manageable limit. Works Cited Cheryan, M. Ultra filtration Handbook. Lancaster PA: Technomic Pub, 1986. Kleyn, D. H.’Enzymatic-ultraviolet method for measuring lactose in milk: Collaborative study’. J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. (1984)67:637–640. Kosikowski, F. V. Low lactose yogurts and milk beverages by ultra filtration. Dairy Science 1979 Mahoney, R. Lactose: Enzymatic modification. New York: Chapman & Hall, 1992. McGee, H. ‘On Food and Cooking (Revised Ed)’, Scribner (2004). Sieper, E. Rationalism Rustic Regulation, the centre for Independent Studies Research Studies in Government, 1982. Betty, G. Low lactose yogurts and milk beverages. New York: Science Research Associates, 1980. Scott, N. Lactose, Water, Salts, and Vitamins. London: Butter worth, 1970. Hood, V. Milk Beverages By Ultra Filtration. London: Sweet and Maxwell, 1979. Read More