Automated JIT based materials management for lot manufacture

The challenge facing manufacturing today is one of providing the customer with greater product variety deliverable in ever shorter lead‐times, while minimizing development and operating costs. Presents an integrated logistics and manufacturing process implemented in an automotive environment designed to address some of the key issues arising from this challenge. Uses a combination of stabilized build plans and supply schedules in conjunction with an automated JIT control approach for the lot manufacture of a complex product. The automated JIT mechanism enables material to be called off in the required lot quantity in a synchronized manner. Places emphasis on the process aspect of the overall system: the business of materials management being approached in a holistic fashion. Discusses the problems and issues associated with various systems and organizational matters, principally: forming effective multi‐functional teams, specifying the requirements, user education, system robustness and contingency planning. Also discusses the benefits of the automated JIT approach which include improved operational effectiveness and reduced material stock in the overall system. Considers general conclusions on the applicability of the approach, particularly in the manufacture of sub‐assemblies and of other high volume, high complexity products.