Analysis of the water-spider process in Schneider Electric

In complex and dynamic logistics environments, the efficient management of internal material flows plays a crucial role in supporting overall operational performance. This thesis focuses on the role of the water spider, a key figure responsible for internal replenishment activities, within a distribution center context. The study is conducted within the Schneider Electric logistics hub in Venaria Reale, Italy, and aims to address the lack of standardization in the water spider's daily operations, which historically relied on personal judgment and reactive decision-making. Grounded in lean methodology principles, the research proposes a standardized framework designed to improve the efficiency, reliability, and repeatability of the water spider process. Through the implementation of visual management tools such as kanban systems and predefined delivery loops, the new method reduces wasteful motion, enhances task clarity, and enables more consistent material availability across workstations.