Inventory Management Solutions for Injection Molded Components
Once a company's engineering team has developed, processed, and begun to receive custom injection molded plastic components, the next step requires the development of reliable inventory management solutions. Finding the right inventory process for injection molded components is crucial. It is important to develop a consistent process, as this is the only way to eliminate confusion and mistakes in the future. Any business must develop clear timetables for when to order their components. Without a system like this, major stalls in the production process can take place.
Developing an effective inventory management solution for plastic components may seem incredibly daunting when you consider what is at stake. However, there are simple steps that all businesses can take to ensure present and future success. Following these tested approaches could save your team from repeated headaches, while also keeping more money in your pockets. Remember to focus on the following points as you develop inventory management solutions.
Follow Kanban
Kanban is a useful system of alerts that takes into account the demands placed on a business throughout the manufacturing process. The central tenet of Kanban is communication. The system is designed to help an engineering team know when specific custom injection molded plastic components needs to be replaced as early as possible, while also helping to ensure a high level of quality in any individual component. This push towards quality makes Kanban effective for businesses that foster a high level of product integrity. The system usually involves cards or placards that clearly communicate the need for a particular molded plastic component in a nonverbal way.
Adopt the Just-In-Time Approach
The Just-In-Time approach promotes a unique way to handle inventory management and is intended to partner with the Kanban technique. The Just-In-Time approach was created out of the idea that keeping inventory is inherently wasteful. This approach offers a counter to the traditional view of inventory as necessary excess product. The Just-In-Time approach is ideal for businesses with a particularly large inventory or concerns over where to house excess custom injection molded plastic components. Just-In-Time calls for a business to use the dynamic information given by Kanban to place component orders with a quick turnaround schedule.
Try Blanket Orders
Blanket orders are intended as a system of streamlining the Just-In-Time approach. Blanket orders require a business' engineering team to specifically schedule out several deliveries at different points in time. Once a precedent has been established for a certain custom injection molded plastic component, a business can reliably place future-dated orders. This tactic offers the same peace of mind of more traditional inventory management solutions without any of the requisite hassles or storage issues.
At Crescent Industries, we offer a variety of storage and warehousing shipping options for our customers' injection molded components. Utilizing a computerized inventory management system, we have the capability for Kanban shipping, Just-In-Time delivery and blanket order programs. For more information, please contact info@crescentind.com or call 717-235-3844 www.crescentind.com.
