Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Quick Response:
Vendors receive POS data from retailers, and use this information to synchronize production and inventory activities at the supplier. The retailer still prepares individual orders, but the POS data is used by the supplier to improve forecasting and scheduling. Example: Milliken and Company: The lead time from order receipt at Millikens textile plants to final clothing receipt at several of the department stores involved was reduced from eighteen weeks down to three weeks.
Advanced Continuous Replenishment: Suppliers may gradually decrease inventory levels at the retailers store or distribution center as long as service levels are met. Inventory levels are thus continuously improved in a structured way.
Advantages of SP
Decrease required inventory levels Improve service levels Decrease work duplication Improve forecasts
Advantages of SP
Fully utilize system knowledge
Consider the partnership between White-Hall Robbins (W-R), who makes over-the-counter drugs such as Advil, and Kmart. W-R initially disagreed with Kmart about forecasts, and in this case, it turned out that W-R forecasts were more accurate because they have a much more extensive knowledge of their products than Kmart does.
Disadvantages of SP
Expensive advanced technology is required. Supplier/retailer trust must be developed. Supplier responsibility increases. Expenses at the supplier often increase.
Why? How can this be addressed?
Continuous Replenishment
VMI
Consignment Selling
Direct Selling
VMI rationale .
By pushing the decision making responsibility further up the supply chain, the manufacturer/vendor will be in a better position to support the objectives of the entire integrated supply chain resulting in sustainable competitive advantage
VMI includes
Determining appropriate order quantities Managing proper product mixes Configuring appropriate safety stock
EDI Benefits
Quick access to information Reduced labor and material costs associated with handling paper-based business transaction Better communication Increases productivity Improved tracing and expediting Improved billing Better customer service
Ownership of inventory
Initially, ownership transferred to retailer upon receipt of goods Now, VMI is based on consignment relationship in which manufacturer owns goods until sold Retailer benefit: lower inventory cost Manufacturers benefits: better control Supply chain benefit: system-wide cost reduction
Mutual trust
Information sharing Management of the entire supply chain Initial loss of revenues
Important SP Issues
Inventory ownership:
Retailer owns inventory Supplier owns the goods until they are sold (consignment)
Why would a firm do this?
Important SP Issues
Confidentiality Communication and cooperation
When First Brands started partnering with Kmart, Kmart often claimed that its supplier was not living up to its agreement to keep two weeks of inventory at all times. It turned out that this was due to the fact that the two companies employed different forecasting methods.
Steps in SP Implementation
Contractual negotiations
Ownership Credit terms Ordering decisions Performance measures
Develop or integrate information systems Develop effective forecasting techniques Develop a tactical decision support tool to assist in coordinating inventory management and transportation policies
Main Characteristics of SP
Criteria Decision Inventory Types Maker Ownership Quick Retailer Retailer Response Continuous Contractually Agreed Either Replenishment to Levels Party Advanced Contractually agreed Either Continuous to & Continuously Party Replenishment Improved Levels VMI Vendor Either Party New Skills Employed by vendors Forecasting Skills Forecasting & Inventory Control Forecasting & Inventory Control Retail Management
Distributor Integration
Parts are shared across the distributor network Specialized service requests are steered to appropriate dealers or distributors. What is required?
Trust Pledges Guarantees from the manufacturer Advanced information systems
Disadvantages
Incentives for dealers are they giving away competitive advantages? Skills and responsibilities are taken from some dealers/distributors.