In this dissertation, we address the issue of production ramp-up in the context of the low volume industry. This dissertation builds upon case studies carried out at Siemens E T HS, a company manufacturing high voltage switchgear. We first focused on the problems encountered during the ramp-up phase, since fire-fightiong (i.e. problem handling) is a major activity during ramp-up. We identified problem types. Meanwhile, we realized a thorough state regarding the ramp-up issue, so as to provide a "map" of the existing litérature. Finally, we focused on information exchange and coopération problems. The approach taken is to focus on 'interfaces" i.e. the links and interactions existing at the boundary of different industrial functions. We propose a new interface model and the corresponding auditing tool. The auditing tool was used on three different case studies. We draw valuable conclusions for our industrial partners but also outlined intereting results froms a research points of view.
