Production System Design for a New Fish Processing Factory in Bayelsa State

This research designs the production system for a proposed fish processing factory in Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria, applying industrial engineering design principles to create an efficient, hygienic, and commercially viable processing facility. Fish processing is a strategically important industry for Bayelsa State, situated in the Niger Delta region where artisanal fishing provides livelihoods for a substantial proportion of the population, yet value addition through formal processing remains underdeveloped relative to the available fish resource base. This study follows a systematic production system design process encompassing product and process design, capacity determination, facility layout design, equipment selection, and material flow analysis. Market analysis informs product portfolio selection, prioritising smoked and frozen fish formats for domestic and regional West African markets. Process flow charts are developed for each product type, and a capacity model is constructed to size equipment and labour requirements for a planned daily input throughput of twelve tonnes of fresh fish. Facility layout is designed using the Systematic Layout Planning method, with particular attention to hygiene zoning requirements under the Nigerian Industrial Standards for fish processing facilities. Equipment specifications and capital cost estimates are developed and evaluated in a preliminary financial viability analysis. Keywords: production system design, fish processing, Systematic Layout Planning, Bayelsa State, facility layout