JIT Inventory Management
JIT Inventory Management
JIT Inventory Management
Introduction
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1.1 Introduction:
Globalization phenomena had created the business without boundaries. Most of the
organization nowadays only focuses in two main elements that can influence the
global market, which is customer satisfaction and also the product and services
quality. Organization all around the world need to take the initiative to increase the
product quality to satisfy the needs and customer demand that always change
besides minimizing the production cost. This initiative is needed to keep the
challenge at the market (Canel, et al., 2000). One of the most effective solutions is
with the application of Just in Time (JIT). Application of JIT could involve few
important elements at organization such as production level, marketing level,
engineering level and purchasing level. The application of JIT more focuses on
management process. Therefore, JIT can be applied at varying process. (Canel, et
al., 2000). JIT is the concept of management that invented specially to avoid
waste. This is in order to minimize the waste and increase the productivity (Zhu
and Meredith, 1995). JIT is one type of Lean Manufacturing (Yen, 2003). Lean
manufacturing is the process to control the production which depends on the
demand by the customers. It is also act to reduce waste.
The application of Lean Manufacturing can reduce the stock, work space and the
production of raw materials. This philosophy can maximize the production (Forza,
1996). At Malaysia context, application of JIT is not popular. According to
Simpson, et al., (1998), JIT had been applied by national automotive firm as a
transitory JIT. Transitory of JIT is one of the ad hoc inventory models. This is can
give half of the inventory in order to reduce the production cost beside can make
the technology transfer at the international level. This research is made to study the
application of Just in Time (JIT) in inventory management at stamping production
at Electronics component industry.
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1.2 Background of Study
At FCM there is lot type of inventories and this requires a huge space to restore it.
Therefore FCM need to prepare an enough space. How ever, this situation requires
FCM to overcome the cost of restore. But this is not the really big issues to FCM.
What really worries FCM management is the huge batch of inventories. The batch
of inventories had caused FCM loss in profit because there is no moving out of the
output to customer. Therefore the cases are also not only arises due to this
problem. Besides that, in Japanese firm, the concept of keeping the inventory is a
big waste in industry. Based on this problem, Heizer J. & Render B. (2006), Just in
Time (JIT) is the best strategy to increase the operation especially at the inventory
management. However, if the raw material cannot be delivered during the
production, there would be a big problem.
1.3 Objective
In this research, researcher has the stand to achieve the objective so that it could be
archived. The objective is to study the application of Just in Time (JIT) in
inventory management at Stamping Production at Electronics component industry.
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CHAPTER TWO
Literature Review
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2.1 Literature Review
JIT is not the new concept in production sector (Stevenson, 2001). It started during
1920 and being used by Henry Ford at the automation industrial. JIT is one of the
Lean Manufacturing that had been introduced by Toyota Motor Corporation to
increase the work quality and production. The application of JIT in Lean
Production will give good return in production process. These philosophies would
make the production even faster and to reduce the inventories stock.
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2.3 Overview of JIT
Just-in-time is a movement and idea that has gained wide acceptance in the
business community over the past decade. As companies became more and more
competitive and the pressures from Japans continuous improvement culture, other
firms were forced to find innovative ways to cut costs and compete. The idea
behind JIT, or lean manufacturing, is to have the supplies a firm needs at the exact
moment that they are needed. In order to accomplish this goal a firm must
constantly be seeking ways to reduce waste and enhance value. A recent survey of
senior manufacturing executives showed that 71% used some form of JIT in their
processes (Pragman). This simple statistic illustrates that JIT is here to stay and
also that firms must constantly be searching for ways to cut costs and achieve an
advantage. JIT is one way to achieve that end.
The layout and inventories that are part of a JIT strategy may seem the most
logical steps to reduce waste and increase value. By simply redeveloping the
layout of certain facilities a firm can reduce the time it takes for supplies to get to
the next step in process and cut costs associated with that movement. One way to
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do this is to have work-in-progress close to the next station in the manufacturing
chain. Couple this with lowering inventories and a powerful combination is formed
to reduce costs. In lowering inventories a firm can reap numerous benefits; batch
sizes, set-up times and safety stock are all reduced, ergo costs are trimmed and
value is added. But in order to achieve these things a firm must be willing to
accept the problems that these actions can either uncover or create. Dell
Computers participates in both of these activities and they are now the industry
leader. Dell has warehouse space at their manufacturing facilities in which
suppliers keep parts directly on-site which is the quintessential JIT layout.
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2.5 Benefits of Application of Just In Time in Lean Production
The application of JIT would give a lot of benefits such as to the producer to
increase the quality to fulfill the customer demands and reduce the inventories and
built a good relationship with the supplier (Salaheldin, 2005). Positive of JIT
application can successfully give benefit to three communities, which is supplier
only, purchased only or both. The benefits are, reducing in inventories and time
waiting for the inventories, increase the quality and technical support, increase
productivity, reduce waste and machine maintenance (Wafa, et al., 1996). JIT
actually help to reduce machine maintenance and at the same time, to make sure
the suppliers can produce the inventories on time (Yasin, et al., 2001). According
to Yasin, et al. (2002), the big problem of JIT application is employer issues and
the suppliers. Employer issue is about the objection of JIT concept, less supportive
of JIT and less of employees.
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CHAPTER THREE
Database
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3.1 Methodology of Study
The study requires a systematic procedure from selection of the topic to
preparation of the final report. To perform the study, the data sources were to be
identified and collected, to be classified, analyzed, interpreted and presented in a
systematic manner and key points were to be found out. The overall process of
methodology has been given below:
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CHAPTER FOUR
Analysis and Findings
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4.1 JIT in Practice
Just in time has an overall strategic focus to provide companies with an exceptional amount
of savings. There is a large variety of companies and industries that have experienced these
cost savings. For our research we will feature Dell and Toyota as two examples to illuminate
the cost saving effects that just in time offers. To begin our discussion, Dell, which
participates in the computer technology industry, is the only company within its industry that
effectively utilizes just in time. They have revolutionized the selling of personal computers,
using a direct- business model whose fundamental tenets include taking custom orders
directly from customers, thereby reducing inventory and streamlining distribution (DI D
RECT, 2014). After Dell has received a customer order, they then begin production of the
product that the customer desires. This exemplifies a pull system within the supply chain. A
pull system is reactive whereby production is executed in response to a customer order. This
unique supply chain provides Dell with a competitive advantage within its industry allowing
them to become the market leader over Compaq in 2014 (DI D RECT, 2014).
Dells position within its industry is a result of their strategic focus to reduce inventory and
streamline distribution. This strategy has allowed them to keep only five days of inventory on
hand (DI D RECT, 2014). This is the smallest amount of inventory of any company within
this industry, according to Mike Gray, Supply Chain Evangelist for Dell. He stated that most
companies within the computer industry currently hold between 20 and 30 days worth of
inventory (Personal Communication March 10, 2015).
The limited amount of inventory held by Dell has created value for their customers. The
value created for their customers is a function of integrating the entire value chain: invention,
development, design, manufacturing, logistics, service, delivery and sales (DI D RECT,
2014). Integrating the entire value chain creates visibility and provides stronger relationships
between Dell and their customers and suppliers. This visibility allows them to only invest in
what their customers want, rather than trying to guess what they might want (DI D RECT,
2014). In addition Dell has a philosophy to only manufacture what their customers ask them
to make, when they ask them (DI D RECT, 2014).
This strategy provides Dell with a time-to-market advantage. They can get their customers
the freshest, latest, greatest Pentium 4 and all associated operating systems 85 days faster than
HP. This is true in regards to research that shows Hewlett Packard has 63 days of inventory
and a distribution channel with 25 to 30 days of inventory as well. Collectively, HP has about
90 days of inventory compared to Dells five. The minimal amount of inventory held by Dell
provides them with an economic advantage, because the value of components and
manufacturing materials declines about one per cent per week. The five day inventory also
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minimizes a customers ability to change their wants before they receive their computer. For
example, if an individual tells a manufacturer what they want today but they do not hear the
request for 90 days, chances are by this time the customer wants something else (DI D
RECT, 2014).
Dells use of just in time results in cost savings, superior customer satisfaction, limited waste,
and the ability to provide their suppliers with more information. In the end these benefits all
result in a cost savings for Dell and higher revenue. Since Dell holds minimal inventory, they
do not have to fund raw materials, work in process or finished goods inventory.
Toyota Motor Corporation is another company that effectively uses just in time. They are
known as the master and pioneer of just in time and are currently entering the market to
provide customized vehicles to customers with a minimal wait. Toyota has spent the last six
years revamping its ordering, manufacturing and distribution to make it easier for dealers and
customers to make changes right before production (Fahey, 2014). Their goal is to reduce
the average time between dealer order and delivery from Toyotas North American factories
from 70 days to 14 (Fahey, 2014). This goal accomplishment would not only make
customers happier but also cut dealer inventory costs and the need for Toyota to spend on
rebates for slow-selling vehicles (Fahey, 2014).
In order to seek the benefits of providing customized orders and reducing the average
delivery time, Toyota has developed its own software that connects dealers to factories and
factories to suppliers. The integration of the value chain creates visibility for all members of
Toyotas supply chain. When a request from a dealer is received by Toyota their software is
able to figure out the availability of parts nearby, the time to resequence the assembly line and
whether the change would unbalance the line by scheduling, for example, too many models
loaded with time-consuming options one right after the other (Fahey, 2014).
Toyota has also adjusted their distribution process to effectively provide customized vehicles
in a just in time process. Toyota now sends finished vehicles to sorting docks where they can
be grouped by region. This new process cuts delivery by two days. And in assembling cars,
Toyota now considers destination, so that it may, for instance, make vehicles headed to
Seattle at the same time (Fahey, 2014). This process adjustment has provided Toyota with a
cost savings in result.
Dell and Toyota are two model companies of just in time. They effectively get the right
products to their customers when they need it. Both companies have achieved a competitive
advantage within their industries due to utilizing the just in time process and allowing
visibility between them and other members of the value chain.
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4.2 JIT and Beyond
Just-In-Time inventory systems have come a long way through out the years improving
the efficiency of purchasing in many companies. But as with most things there is always
room for improvement and growth. JIT inventory systems have evolved over the years
with many new and exciting twists. Competition in the business world is shifting from
being between company and company to supply chain and supply chain. This is why JIT
is evolving in many different ways. JIT II is one such evolution of the efficiency of JIT.
JIT II is a way to improve the customer-supplier relationship. JIT II uses systems
integration which allows, sharing of information so that the relationship is more
throughout the supply chain, which equals better responsiveness and lower costs, the two
main goals of supply chain management.
JIT II, a customer-supplier partnership concept pioneered at Bose Corporation and now
practiced by major companies and their suppliers, can aid in cutting both design and
response lead time (Pragman). This is accomplished through systems integration, which
seeks ways to improve coordination between different functional areas, as well as bridges
the gap between customer and supplier.
With JIT II the suppliers have a person within the customers organization full time acting
as a purchasing department employee for the customer firm. JIT II has really impacted the
following areas: the administration of the purchasing function, logistics, concurrent
engineering and value analysis and material stores and support services. In each of these
areas the lead time reductions are greater with JIT II than with conventional JIT
(Pragman).
The administrative benefits of JIT II are due to the fact that the supplier is constantly
available in-house. JIT II reduces administrative costs for both the customer and supplier
because the purchasing costs are not all on the customer and the supplier gets all the
business from that specific customer as it wants as long as things go well. Because the
supplier is always present JIT II permits concurrent engineering and value analysis to
take place on an ongoing basis, not just during sporadic sales calls (Pragman).
JIT II is not the end of the evolution of just in time systems it is actually just the
beginning. ERP is another result that spawns from the premise behind JIT II. The main
difference between the two is that JIT II is not computer system based and ERP is based
on a computer system that helps ensure the visibility of all functional areas within a
company as well as within its supply chain.
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ERP helps organizations reduce supply chain inventories due to the added visibility
throughout the entire supply chain (Wisner, Leong, Tan). A major advantage of an ERP
system is that it allows managers to make better more informed decisions that effect the
entire supply chain. As ecommerce and global operations continue to grow a need for
visibility and data exchange between suppliers, customers and foreign offices has
emerged. Thus driving ERP more to the forefront but with ERP comes decreased
inventories as well as responsiveness that is the major idea of JIT systems.
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4.4.1 Analysis of Case 1
This section would show the data collected from case 1 for the application before and
after the part production stamping. In this case 1 (refer Figure 2) the standard time would
be the counting from the raw materials from the racks to the turntable using forklift and
then the return back of the forklift to the place. Refer from Figure 3 as shown the graphs
for before and after the applications of JIT for case 1.
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4.4.2 Analysis of Case 2
For case 2, (refer Figure 4) is to reduce the standard time that is using for die setup.
Figure 5 showed the graph before and after application of JIT.
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4.4.4 Analysis Case 4
For case 4, (refer Figure 8) is to reduce standard time during packing and deliver to
warehouse. Figure 9 show the application of JIT before and after.
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CHAPTER FIVE
Recommendations and Conclusion
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5.1 Recommendations:
Besides that, this chapter also would discuss the suggestion. After the analysis,
application JIT in inventory management at stamping production is depend on the
activities below:
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5.2 Conclusion
The purpose of this study is to make sure the application of concept Just In Time
(JIT) at Electronics component industry especially at the stamping production.
This chapter would discuss about the results of the analysis according to the
objective and problem statement. The discussion would focus in certain case at
stamping production depend of the results that analyze from before and after the
application of JIT.
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