Citation: Jebbor, I.; Benmamoun, Z.; Hachimi, H. Optimizing Manufacturing Cycles to Improve Production: Application in the Traditional Shipyard Industry. Processes 2023, 11, 3136. https:// doi.org/10.3390/pr11113136 Academic Editors: Andrzej Kubit, Ján Slota, Jiaqiang E, Agnieszka Kowalczyk, Dariusz Fydrych, Ankur Gupta, Jan Klett, Wojciech Suder, Balázs Varbai and Abbas Tamadon Received: 9 October 2023 Revised: 26 October 2023 Accepted: 30 October 2023 Published: 2 November 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). processes Article Optimizing Manufacturing Cycles to Improve Production: Application in the Traditional Shipyard Industry Ikhlef Jebbor 1, * , Zoubida Benmamoun 2 and Hanaa Hachimi 1 1 Laboratory of Advanced Systems Engineering, National School of Applied Sciences ENSA, Ibn Tofail University Campus, Kenitra 14000, Morocco 2 Faculty of Engineering, Liwa College of Technology, Abu Dhabi 41009, United Arab Emirates * Correspondence: jebbor.ikhlef@uit.ac.ma Abstract: This article explores the important role of traditional shipyards in the global maritime industry, covering aspects of construction, repair, and maintenance. With the advent of faster man- ufacturing techniques, traditional shipyards face important challenges, such as planning errors, coordination problems, delivery delays, and underutilization of technology, which results in high costs, reduced productivity, and prolonged projects. The application of Manufacturing Cycle Effi- ciency (MCE) emerged as an important solution to significantly increase production efficiency. MCE empowers shipyards to deal effectively with waste, bottlenecks, and disruptions, thereby increas- ing performance, competitiveness, and profitability. Using a comprehensive approach that uses both qualitative and quantitative methods, including field surveys, and in-depth interviews in the traditional shipyard industry, this research identifies Nonvalue-Added (NVA) processes, conducts process mapping, and calculates MCE. The findings reported in this article underscore the significant wastage in the production process, indicating an urgent need for improvement, given the current average MCE value of 67.08%, indicating considerable room for improvement. This article provides innovative perspectives on optimizing the traditional shipyard industry through production cycle efficiencies while offering actionable recommendations. Key focus areas include integrating manage- ment systems, adopting advanced technologies, and implementing sustainable strategies to improve MCE, especially by reducing nonvalue-added time wastage, such as inspection and storage. By implementing strategies that optimize production, minimize waste, and overcome the challenges of global competition, this research contributes to improving MCE. In conclusion, this study is an invaluable guide for industry stakeholders, enabling them to enhance their competitiveness and adapt effectively to a dynamic business environment. Keywords: traditional shipyard industry; manufacturing cycle efficiency; no value-added; lean manufacturing 1. Introduction The traditional shipbuilding industry (TSI) has long been a crucial pillar of the global economy, providing essential services for the construction, repair, and maintenance of large vessels. It serves as a strategic sector, supporting vital areas such as transportation, sea trade, fishing, and maritime tourism [1]. However, in recent years, this industry has encountered numerous challenges when it comes to enhancing the efficiency and performance of its production processes [2]. The manufacturing process involved in the TSI is intricate, demanding seamless coordination among various departments and specialties. Regrettably, the lack of efficiency in the manufacturing cycle persists as a significant issue within the industry. These challenges encompass errors in production planning [3], inadequate interdepartmental coordination, delays in material delivery, and underutilization of cutting- edge technologies in the process. Consequently, these inefficiencies lead to escalated production costs, diminished productivity, and prolonged project completion [4]. Processes 2023, 11, 3136. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11113136 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/processes