Supply Chains: A Manager's Guide

JIT Supply Programs

Of the many efforts to improve the flow of raw materials into production facilities, most have involved extending the reach of the just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing method upstream toward suppliers. One of the key elements of the JIT approach is eliminating excess inventory throughout the production process by timing the movement of materials to each workstation to arrive just at the moment they are needed for the next operation. This practice minimizes inventories throughout the production process, helping manufacturing companies reduce holding costs, minimize obsolescence, and improve their return on assets. These benefits have led to the widespread adoption of JIT throughout industries that use repetitive production techniques. ...