LIST OF TABLES

Table No 7.1 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 Title ABC analysis Table R.M Turnover ratio R.M Holding Period Table WIP Turnover Ratio Table Holding Period of WIP Table Finished Goods Turnover ratio Table Inventory to Capital employed Table Inventory to CA Ratio Table Inventory to Total Assets Table Inventory to WC Table Page No 51 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75

LIST OF FIGURES

Table No 3.1 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 7.1 7.2 7.3 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9

Title Page No Steps of Methodology Liberty Group of Companies Liberty Whitewares limited Liberty Retail Revolution Organizational chart of liberty Organization chart of institution sales department Economic order quantity graph Data Flow Diagram Raw Material Graph at Liberty R.M Turnover ratio Graph R.M Holding Period Graph WIP Turnover Ratio Graph Holding Period of WIP Graph Finished Goods Turnover ratio Graph Inventory to Capital employed Graph Inventory to CA Ratio Graph Inventory to Total Assets Graph Inventory to WC Graph 7 16 17 17 28 30 47 62 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

RM
WIP FG SS ROL ROP ROQ EOQ LT ABC HML SDE VED FSND

Raw material Work in Progress Finished Goods Safety Stock Reorder Level Reorder Point Reorder Quantity Economic Order Quantity Lead Time Always Better Control High, Medium, Low Scarce, Difficult, Easy Vital, Essential, Desirable Fast, Slow, Non moving, Dead

CHAPTER 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

If development capital is what establishes a business Inventory Management is what keeps it going. One of the most common downfalls of business is unexpectedly high running cost. What is important is not just the size of operating costs, but the cash flows that is when money has to be paid out in relation to the stream of income arriving in. Thus Inventory Management is of prime importance. This project is a small attempt to study the Inventory management LIBERTY SHOES LIMITED. The project can be divided into two sections. First is the analysis of inventory management position of the company using ratio analysis and second is the study Inventory management systems and techniques. Ratio analysis has been done on the basis of three years data. Ratios have been discussed to compare inventory management performance over the years and to comment and not the absolute values. To analyze the performance, published balance sheets of LIBERTY SHOES LIMITED have been used. This project report is based on financial data up to 20102011 only.

CHAPTER 2: OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

Main Objective
The project is designed to give an overview of Inventory Management in Liberty Shoes Ltd.

Sub Objective
The study on Inventory is very important for a firm. The objectives of this study are as follows: To determine the changes in the Inventory position of the company. To determine the increase or decrease in Inventory level. To determine the various ratios for analyzing the Inventory level of the company. To spot out strengths & weakness of business. to study and understand as to what exactly is inventory management system To Study the operational feasibility and utility of inventory management system

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research is an important pre-requisite for a dynamic organization to be prcised. Research is more systematic activity directed towards the discovery and development of organized body of knowledge. Some of the characteristics of research methodology are as follows: 1. Research is directed towards a solution of problem. It may attempt to answer a question or determine the relation between two or more variables. 2. Research involves gathering new data for primary of first hand sources or using existing data for new purposes. 3. Research is based on observable experience or empirical evidence. 4. Research strives to be objective and logical applying every possible test to validate the proceed are employed the data collection and conclusion research.

DATA COLLECTION Sources of data: 1) Primary Data which included the input received from directly the officials and employees through questionnaire and interview. 2) Secondary data: The methodology followed in conducting the study is to collect data regarding footwear production, working capital and its management, need of working capital in Liberty Shoes Ltd. The facts & data were taken from magazines and annual report of company from the books, journals and internet etc. Method of collecting data: Questionnaire schedule & Interview method STATISTICAL TOOL USED The data will be shown with the help of matrix table and bar diagrams.

PRIMARY DATA ANALYSIS (Bio Profile of the Respondents):

22 percent of the officials belong to the age group of 35 and 50. 58 percent of the officials belong to the age group of 25 to 34. Percent of the officials belong to the age group of above 50. 69 percent are male officials. 31 percent are female officials. 72 percent are graduates and above. 12 percent are those who are having technical and professional qualifications. 16 percent are undergraduates. 55 percent are those who are associated with the field. 20 percent belongs to the others category.

STEPS OF METHODOLOGY

COLLECTION OF DATA ORGANIZATION OF DATA PRESENTATION OF DATA ANALYSIS OF DATA INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Fig 3.1 : Steps of Methodology

CHAPTER 4: LITERATURE REVIEW

Success of any industrial undertaking depends upon the 6 ms 1) Money 2) Manpower 3) Machine 4) Market 5) Material 6) Management

Materials are pivotal importance not less than any other Ms. Problems have their root in material affects the efficiency of all men, machine, money & marketing decisions of the firms and thus become the grave concern of management at all levels. If there were too much of material problems like ideal funds lied up in excessive inventory storage and obsolesces difficulties market pressure would arise. Thus the importance of inventory management is realized. A number of studies have been done in the field of inventory management by various researchers. Some of them are given below: 1. Author:- Bern at de William year 2011() This study tells that the main focus of inventory management is on transportation and warehousing. The decision taken by management depend s on the traditional method of inventory control models. The traditional method of inventory management is how much useful in these days the author tell about it. He is also saying that the traditional method is not a cost reducing, it is so much expensive. But the managing the inventory is most important work for any manufacturing unit. 2. Author: - Jon Schreibfeder 1992 He said that it is easy to turn cash into inventory, the challenge is to turn inventory back into cash. In early 1990s many distributor recognize that they needed help controlling and managing their largest asset inventory. In response to this need several companies developed comprehensive inventory management modules and systems. These new package include many new features designed to help distributors effectively managed warehouse stock. But after implementing this many distributors do not feel that they have gained control of their inventory.

3. Author:-Wolf Bagby, Managing inventory In this study Mr. W.Bagby explains that by managing the inventory it becomes easier for the organization to meet the profit goals, shorter the cash cycle, avoid inventory shortage, avoid excessive carrying costs for unused inventory, and improve profitability by decreasing cash conversion and adopt JIT system. According to this study companies need to get smart about inventory. Boosting financial performance is another benefit that comes from better inventory management. Infect large number of manufacturers enjoy savings and better performance by choosing the approach of inventory reduction. For this company needs to maximize the cash flow and profitability and this include keeping a watchful discerning eye on charge in supply and demand.

4. Author: - Asfaque Ahmed October 12, 2004

(Article from master requirement planning and master production scheduling)

He said that most of the manufacturing company vendors have planning and scheduling product which assume either infinite production capacity for calculating quantities of row material and work in progress (WIP) requirements or infinite quantities of raw

material and WIP materials for calculating production capacity. There are many problems with this approach and how to avoid these by making sure that the product you are buying indeed takes into account finite quantities of required materials as well as finite capacities of work centers in your manufacturing facilities. 5. Author:- D.Hoopman April 7, 2003
(Article from inventory planning and optimization)

In this article he said that inventory optimization recognize that different industry have different inventory profiles and requirements. Research has indicated that solutions are priced in a large range from tens of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars. In this niche market sector price is definitely not an indicator of the quality of solution, ROI and usability are paramount.

6. Author:-Silver, Edward A

Dec22, 2002

(Article from production and inventory management journal)

This article considers the context of a population of items for which the assumption underlying the EOQ derivation holds reasonably well. However as is frequently the cash in practices there is an aggregate constraint that applies to the population as a whole. Two common forms of constraints are: 1) The existence of budget to be allocated among the stocks of the items and 2) A purchasing production facility having the capability to process at most a certain number of replenishment per year. Because of the constraint the individual replenishment quantities cannot be selected independently. 7. Author: - Charles Atkinson (A study on inventory management) In the study by Mr. Charles Atkinson, he explained the inventory management and assessment of inventory levels. As per this study inventory management need to address two issue Part I. How to optimize average inventory levels. Part II. How to assess (evaluate) inventory levels. This study tells about what the manager should do and not to do, and how much amount should be order in one placed orders. Average inventory can be calculated by simplistic method. Average inventory = beginning inventory +end inv./2 8. Author:-Delaunay C , Sahin E, 2010.

A lots of work has been done but now if we want to go ahead we must have good visibility upon this field of research. That is why we are focused on frame work for an exhaustive review on the problem of supply chain management with inventory inaccuracies. The author said that their aim in this work is also to present the most important criterion that allows a distinction between the different types of managing the inventory.

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CHAPTER 5: FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY

HISTORY OF FOOTWEAR & FOOTWEAR MANUFACTURING

The first foot covering was made by our primitive ancestors. The covering was to protect their feet from jagged rocks, burning sands, rugged terrains. Development shows that the importance of protecting the feet was recognized. Egyptians Chinese and other civilization all contain references to shoes. The first shoe was made of plated grass or rawhide strapped to the feet. The early Egyptians made some sandals from plaited papyrus leaves. It shows that sandal making was recognized as an art, early in the history o that country. Sandals are most generally worn type of footwear in many warm countries, often ornamented and in form that is suitable to environment in which it is worn. Sandals continued to be the same simple kind of footwear worn in the early century. In Japan, sandals indicated the social status of the wearer by making distinct sandals for imperial household, merchants and actors, and in fact, for the whole range of vacations and professions. In Greece, one emphasized design and beauty, while in Rome, they made it for military purpose to enable their legions to travel on foot. The moccasin protects the foot in cold countries. The outline of the forepart is puckered seam with a string gathered and tied about the ankle. Though all this development, little attention was devoted to fitting quality and comfort. In Europe, perfection in workmanship and styles seems to have been sought in shoes rather than foot comfort and protection. The most conspicuous design in the period was the peaked shoe or crackow, with a toe so long that it made walking difficult. Till the late 1850, shoes were made only on straight last without recognizing the left and right. There were only two widths, the slim and the stout. Up to 1850 shoes were made by hand tools, curved awl, and some tools were added such as pincers, lap stone hammer and variety of rubbin sticks used for finishing edges and heels.

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Efforts have been made to develop machinery or shoe production. They had all failed and it remains or shoemaker in the United States to create the first successful machinery for making successful shoes. In 1845, the rolling machine was introduced which replace all the previous tools used by hand shoemakers or pounding sole leather and increasing wear by compacting the fibers. In 1846, Elias Howe, invented the swing machine. This major invention seems to have set up a chain reaction of research and development. In 1858, layman Blake, a shoe maker, invented a machine for swing the sole of shoes to the upper. This was purchased by Gordon McKay, who improved the invention. In 1875, a machine was developed or making different types o shoes, known as Goodyear welt sewing machine, was developed under the management of Charles Goodyear Jr., son of the famous inventor of vulcanizing rubber. Invention continued, researched and progress was made. It required great sum of money to make one shoe making machine, but it finally paid off. Today one lasting machine can last 1000 pairs or more of shoes in 8 hours a day. HISTORY OF FOOTWEAR IN INDIA History of footwear is nearly 5,000 year old when Egypt started covering the feet of the people who roam about with wooden chappals. In India, in the ancient period, our ancestors, especially the rishies who moved about in the forests, wore wooden chappals. There is a mention of king Bharat putting forth before lord Ram a pair of shoes, crafted from wood and coated with gold, when despite all requests, Ram refused to accept the throne of Ayodha. However, it is still a mystery as to when the use of footwear, in the form of chappals, actually started in India. There is no reference of footwear in the writings and pictures related with the Indus valley civilization. In the pictures of men & women & seals recovered from the site, the feet of both men and women are seen bare.

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In the Rig-Veda, there is no mention of any covering for foot, but the word vatturinapad gives a clue of the warriors wearing on the foot is mentioned in the Yajurvedia and the chappals in the Atharveda. Thus the use of footwear or chappals started around 1,500 B.C., approximately 3,500 years ago from now. The upanah become quite popular during the period of Ramayana & Mahabharata (circa 1,000 B.C.), the hides of lions, tigers, deer leopards etc were being used for making upanah. The Mahavagga, a Buddist religious treatise, of the 6th century B.C. gives detailed information about upanah, classifying them into nine types of shoes & chappalssuch as Patbadh (keen high gum boots), Ajvishan (made of goat skin), Maind-Vishan (made of sheep skin) etc. During the Maryan period (3rd Centruey B.C.) many varieties of footwear came into existence. The Greek historian Arrian writes that shoes made of white leather were special with Indians and to increase height, Indians used to wear shoes high heels. During the Shunga period (2nd century B.C.) a class of shoe makers came into existence. They had specialized in making shoes with good designs and durability, in fashionable styles. These craftsmen were called Charmkar. Their work was appreciated but social status was low. The Kushan period was a golden era of footwear. The shakes, parathions, Greeks and the Kushans belonging to the Chinese dynasty brought themselves various designs and styles. A headless statue of Kanishka, made of red stone (1st century A.D.) has been recovered from Mathura where he has shown wearing laced shoes. In the Gupta period (4th to 6th century A.D.) the demand of footwear increased greatly and the hides of cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep and wild animals came into much use. Chappals and shoes of various heights (Up to the heels, knee or thigh) were in use amongst people from all walks of life. On their coins, Samudra Gupta and other Gupta kings are depicated wearing shoes, decorated with flowers. In the paintings of the Ajanta caves, several horse riders are shown wearing something like shoes. Footwear industry in India can never be a heavy industry in general and small entrepreneurs with small investments in machinery and capital could remain for all purposes the backbone of industry. It is the ideal industry for entrepreneurs without much of investment in the

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industry assuring growing demand and profits. Availability of raw material and manpower is not a problem. So the small sector has to play a vital role in industry development. Depending upon the styles, type and purpose, the footwear can be broadly classified into three groups: Chappal or open type footwear. Sandal or strap attached footwear. Boot & shoe or closed type footwear covering most part of the feet.

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CHAPTER 6:

COMPANY PROFILE LIBERTY GROUP

Liberty Group was the vision of three dreamers who thought of producing an Indian brand of footwear to make a basic necessity available to their countrymen. Mr. D P Gupta, Mr. P D Gupta and Mr. R K Bansal looked beyond the geographical boundaries and brought cutting-edge technologies to their own country. Soon the name, Liberty became synonym to quality in the domestic market and this encouraged the company to invest further for enhancing production capacities and to cater to the demand of international markets. Today, Liberty is not only about footwear. It has diversified into various sectors establishing an invincible business empire of prosperity. In the domestic market it is one of the most admired names that ensure quality. Liberty Group expanded and diversified into manufacturing of ceramic sanitary ware under the brand name Liberty Whit e ware With innovations in bathroom products and accessories that go beyond graceful lines, the company is setting new trends in Indian ceramic sanitary ware Industry. In order to offer unusual shopping experience to the customers, the group also entered into retailing and set up stores in the major cities under the brand name, Liberty Revolution The Liberty Group is expanding with the passage of time and it is committed to venture into more business areas keeping abreast with the demands and needs.

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Mission & Vision Mission

Its the mission of the Liberty Group to continuously improve the quality of its products using cutting-edge technologies and following the latest trends. The group emerged with an enthusiasm to offer world-class products to its countrymen and it will carry forward the same attitude along with the determination to be the global leader.

Vision
The Group is committed to achieve the highest performance standards in each area of its business. It envisages itself as the most trusted name all over the world.

FIG 6.1 Liberty Group of Companies

Liberty Shoes Ltd.

Liberty Whitewares Ltd.

Liberty Retail Revolutions Ltd.

Liberty Shoes Limited

The company has a turnover exceeding U.S. $100 million and produces more than 50,000 pairs of footwear a day. The company produces varieties of ranges covering virtually every age group and income category. The products are marketed across the globe through 150 distributors, 350 exclusive showrooms and over 6000 multi-brand outlets, and sold in thousands every day in more than 25 countries including fashion-driven, quality-obsessed nations like France, Italy, and Germany.

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Liberty Whitewares limited

With innovations in bathroom products and accessories that go beyond graceful lines, the company is setting new standards in the Indian ceramic sanitary ware industry. The products break the mould to achieve balanced and coherent integration of space, form, design and comfort. It is redefining the bathroom as a treasured sanctuary to luxuriate in. Liberty Whiteware is a part of the Rs. 350 crore Liberty Group, and it is taking the concept of luxury to a new level of excellence.

Fig: 6.2 Liberty

Whitewares limited

Liberty Retail Revolutions Ltd.

In the elite shopping avenues of fashion capitals "Revolutions" has begun its walk. The fashion accessory and footwear stores have begun operations in Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Hyderabad, Pune, Indore and Lucknow. These are company managed and owned outlets where the emphasis is to deliver high fashion to the customers backed by quality service making it a delightful shopping experience. Liberty showrooms enter the international market as the company has plans of opening more revolution showrooms nationally & internationally.

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Board of Directors
Mr. Adesh Gupta, Executive Director / CEO Mr. Shammi Bansal, Executive Director Mr. Adarsh Gupta, Executive Director Mr. Sunil Bansal, Non Executive Director Mr. S.K. Goel, Independent Non Executive Director Mr Amitabh Taneja, Independent Non Executive Director Mr. Prem Garg, Independent Non Executive Director Mr. S.K.Arya, Independent Non Executive Director Mr. Siddharth Sanghi, Independent Non Executive Director Mr. Vivek Bansal, Independent Non Executive Director Mr. Raghu Dayal, Independent Non Executive Director

Audit Committee Mr. Sunil Bansal

Mr. Prem Garg Mr. Raghu Dayal Mr. Vivek Bansal

Remuneration Committee
Mr. Raghu Dayal Mr. Prem Garg Representative of outside consultants

Share Transfer & Share Holders/Investors Grievance Committee Meeting

Mr. Adarsh Gupta Mr. Prem Garg Mr. Sunil Bansal

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6.1 INTRODUCTION TO PARTICULAR FIRM / DIVISION

Liberty Shoes Ltd.

Liberty Shoes Ltd. is the only Indian company that is among the top 5 manufacturers of leather footwear in the world with a turnover exceeding U.S. $100 million. It produces more than 50,000 pairs of footwear a day covering virtually every age group and income category. Products are marketed across the globe through 150 distributors, 350 exclusive showrooms and over 6000 multi-brand outlets, and sold in thousands every day in more than 25 countries including fashion-driven, quality-obsessed nations like France, Italy, and Germany With 50 years of excellence, today Liberty produces footwear for the entire family and is a trusted name across the world. In the domestic market it is one of the most admired footwear brands and holds the largest market share for leather footwear.

History
It was the 25th December of 1954 when India was nurturing its growth as a free country, three dreamers in a small town in erstwhile Punjab thought of producing an Indian brand of footwear to make a basic necessity available to their countrymen. Mr. D P Gupta, Mr. P D Gupta and Mr. R K Bansal allowed their vision to cross every barrier and brought cutting-edge technologies to their own country. Within a short span of time, the name, Liberty became a synonym to quality footwear in the domestic market and this encouraged the company to invest further for enhancing production capacities and to cater to the demands of international markets. With 50 years of excellence, today Liberty produces footwear for the entire family and is a trusted name across the world. In the domestic market it is one of the most admired footwear brands and holds the largest market share for leather footwear

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THE CREDO:
To ensure that the method we use is the latest technology world-over. To follow the highest standard of honest workmanship in whatever we make. To walk that extra miles to ensure customer satisfaction worldwide. To remain a true cosmopolitan to the spirit. To remain a great corporation to associate with, to work for, to know that: We Are About People.

LIBERTY RANGE:
The family brand style personified with something for every need. Be it formal or casual, at office or at the beach, a conference or a soiree - Liberty fits in effortlessly.

MANUFACTURING:
What gives Liberty the edge is vertically integrated manufacturing infrastructure on technology basis with completely in-house state of the art production facilities which includes 8 DESMA machines for PU Direct Injection, 15 Machines for PVC Direct Injection, 3 Machines for EVA Injection, 3 PU Injection units for unit sole, six lines for cement lasted injection and one machine for the latest TPU Injection. Above production facilities are maintained with focus on environment cleanliness ISES 2000 norms, provides a complete range of family footwear of all seasons and occasions, covers the entire domain of industrial safety and health footwear requirements. Liberty also has the ISO: 9001-2000 certification for its Quality, Management System, a testimony to all the system and procedures in place. Liberty is a technology driven company HUMANTECH Libertys patented technology is combination of human craftsmanship and technological excellence.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT:

Our 2-way channel partners dig their feed back deep and constantly. Hammering String of creative workman at the manufacturing center to produce not just faceless shows dancing down conveyor belts but shoes with character. So the centers have poled 53 years of the

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research and continuous flow of emotions to redefine the R & D center at Libertypuram. Fusing technology with the sweat of sagacity. Some call it Research & Development Wing some put a price to investments in the Emotional Technology that it comes out as. We call the process HUMANTECH and it priceless. Liberty also very active in the area of Research & Development and has a number of firsts to its credit like:

1. Liberty pioneered the PU (Polyurethane) technology in India in footwear industry in 1982 and today is the largest producers of footwear with this technology in Asia. 2. Liberty has developed new material TPE (Thermo-Plastic-Elastomer) for high quality formal footwear. 3. Liberty has developed a high quality Eva Compound for beach footwear. 4. Liberty was the first company commissioning a latest CAD/ CAM System. 5. Die Less Leather cutting machine which is directly attached with its Design & Development Section for speedy process of development of new models of footwear. 6. Liberty is the only factory in India having water proofing technology approved by SYMPATEX, a name known for water proofing technology worldwide. 7. Liberty Management is very thin in size comparing with a huge work force in front line operation.

DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT:

Liberty has well established state of the art design centers which are constantly engaged in designing and developing latest trend setting footwear for the young fashions conscious Indian consumers. On an average 4000 new styles are developed every year out of which roughly 1200 styles are selected and introduced in the market in two seasons i.e. spring / summer and fall, winter.

FINANCIAL
If you think a company that has helped 50 million people think on their feet in style is big stuff, you have seen very little yet. For us the future plans are not something that can be termed as crystal gazing but neatly enclosed ideas idea and deliverables in continuum. We are

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fast building new brands and products, improving the all times favorites and expending our marketing infrastructure and honing to our skills to further the delight of the consumer. With an over all 25% boom planned each year for the next 5 year you could says that India is only true blue footwear manufacturing multinational is just peaking over the edge.

MORE STORES FROM LIBERTY:

Liberty group is expecting to add Rs.70 crores from its footwear retail business. The company will invest Rs.7 Crores towards expending Revolution - its exclusive footwear showroom. This year company will add 10 more stores to take it to 25. The company has also entered the manufacturing of white ware segment of sanitary and bathroom products. Liberty is looking at introducing new design this season too. The company has expended its retail presence in over 100 stores across small and big cities.

LIBERTY PLANS TO EXPANDS GLOBAL PRESENCE

Liberty group has also establish manufacturing plant in Uttrakhand state and opening 25 exclusive outlets across the country as well as in 7 overseas centers. Each outlet is estimated to see an investment of Rs.7.5 million. With a turnover of Rs.500 crores the company is emerging as an multinational brands with about 350 Exclusive distributors all over the world. as opposed to the earlier model of expending retail outlets we plan to bring down the number of retailer from 5000 to 4000. We do not want retail presence for name shake; the ideas to have real brand presence, Liberty plans to open super premium at Singapore, Kualampur, Dhaka, Columbo and Dubai . The currently exports about 25% of footwear production to Germany, Italy, France, United States and the Middle East.

STRENGTH:
At Liberty we upgrade and re-engineer our design every 6 months so that you have something new, with it and futuristic every time you visit us. Our shoes are much more than just B.E. Witching leather work. We understand that a shoe for you is an extension of your personality. And for one who keeps moving onto to stables of desire loaded with exciting world fashions trends we craft the dreams with the help of Capital Fashion Technologists shut away not in dream bars but with their heart minds on the pules of future fashion.

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6.2 LIBERTY SHOES LIMITED

LOCATION:

AN INNER VIEW

The company has entered into a lease agreement for 410 canals and 17 marlas (248500sq. yards) of land on Punit Chamber, Sector -18, Turbe. Dist-Thane. BUILDING: It mainly consists of eight huge halls meant for manufacturing operation facility, raw material and finished goods storage, cutting sections, PVC Sole Section, PU Sole Section, Administrative Block etc. the design and finishing of building is among the best. The total area of the building is 170 lacks sq.feet (approx) and total cost of building is around 550 lacks. The building is of RC framed structure. MACHINARY: Five (new technology) injection-moulding machines are being used by the company for production purpose. All the machines are imported from Italy and Germany. Production of shoes as well as quality of shoes has been increased and problems of pasting, sole cracking have been reduced substantially by this technology. Recently one new computerized machine has been purchased for cutting leather. It has also been imported from Italy. INNOVATIVE APPROACHES: Entire production units of Liberty are interlinked by SAP, a unique ERP Solution implemented for the first time in India in a Footwear Industry with all modules related with Finance, Logistics & supply chain. It is rare to see such clean, state of the art production facility in India with following management systems and tools. 1. KAIZEN is implemented since 2000 and in practice throughout the organization. 2. 5 S Concept is introduced and in practice since 2001 and presently in matured stage. The impact of 5S implementation is visible in all dept. and shop floors of the organization. We may even consider these units are the model units for any Footwear Industry 3. LEAN awareness is existing in all production floors of the organization. Value streams are standardized for most of the regularly produced articles. Now the Group is

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in the process of integrating Lean Concept with PP Module of SAP for controlling the flow. 4. ISO 9001:2000 CERTIFICATION is awarded to QMS of one of its units and Group is in the process of getting for other units. Group is having an appointed MR exclusively for monitoring the Quality System. DNV is the Certifying agency and auditors of the QMS. 5. WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM is established in one of their unit and it is a pilot project. Wastage Identification, handling and disposal are documented and monitored by frequent internal audits. 6. WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM is existing in the group. Water wastage is almost nil- and water is re-cycled in most of their operations. 7. ISES-2000 norms are followed to ensure the best Social, Health and Environmental Standards. This standard is monitored by Indo German Export Promotion Council of India. 8. Liberty is the Committee member for setting the standard for Safety Shoes. The recently released IS: 15298:2000 for Safety shoes is followed by Liberty and it is the first in Shoe Industry have applied for Certification to use ISI Mark. 9. ENGERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM of Liberty is unique in Footwear Industry. Liberty Units have got lot of incentives / discounts from Haryana State Electricity Board for maintaining maximum Power Factor. INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE: 1. Liberty has more than 25 years of experience in Export Business and enjoying Status Holder status as Recognized Export House of India. In 80s when Soviet Market was invaded by Indian Exporters, Liberty was the Market Leader in USSR. 2. Liberty is having its own office in Russia and Hungary for more than 2 decades. 3. Libertys major operations are mainly with Europe, Middle East, East African, South African countries and USA. 4. Major brands of Europe, SALAMANDER, JELA, DEICHMANN, ROMIKA and USA brands like TODDWELSH are selling only Liberty Shoes under their brand umbrella.

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CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY Steeped in a philosophy that has at its core innovation, technology and advancement, Liberty, pride itself over and above everything else on its healthy and heart-felt respect for the human ethos, which projects itself in the expectancy and excitement with which one greets the arrival of the new combined with a sincere and deep regard for the old, which is appreciative of and adopts at every stage the unique balance between modernization and tradition. Liberty as a brand is constantly evolving to keep pace with the changing trends, styles, beliefs, and aspirations of people while maintaining the sanctity of certain traditions like workmanship and good value. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY People at Liberty, are ever conscious of the fact that their reputation stems not just from quality products and technological innovations but also from the manner in which they discharge their responsibilities towards its employees, its customers, the society and the environment. Utmost importance is given to ensuring safe, healthy and non-discriminatory working conditions for all Liberty employees and ethical standards and practices are rigorously adhered to. That's why Liberty finds place in the most favored list of respectable brands like Wal-Mart, Reebok, Nike, etc as an Equal Opportunity Employer. In fact for Liberty, 3000 employees are all members of the extended Liberty family. So it's no surprise that its Humantech Centers have crches which give working mothers the freedom and peace of mind to pursue their careers. Liberty also has a special charity fund for providing financial assistance to families who suffer the tragedy of losing their sole earning member. It's this sense of social commitment that inspired it to set up the Sanjay Charitable Hospital at Karnal and join the Nation in felicitating the winners of the Republic Day Bravery Awards with a special gift of free footwear. Ecological awareness also happens to be uppermost on our minds.

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CONTRIBUTION TO INDUSTRY:

1. Liberty has pioneered in bringing PU Technology to India. Liberty has given a presentation on Footwear foot prints for the future in Asia Pacific Customer Conference 2000 organized by Huntsman Polyurethane at Singapore on this technology. 2. SYMPATEX is a patented technology on Water Proofing recognized worldwide. Liberty is the only company in India having recognition/approval of SYMPATEX on Waterproofing. 3. Safety Shoes are brought to Indian Market for the first time and an exclusive brand WARRIOR was launched by Liberty in Industrial Segment shoes. Our safety shoes are meeting all DIN / EN standards in respective segments. 4. PU technology was introduced to Government Sector; Liberty has set the standard as member of the BIS Committee. BIS Standard IS: 15298: 2000, applicable for Safety shoes is the Standard on which Liberty is producing Safety shoes for more than one decade. 5. Liberty Enterprises is the model unit for above Standard and complete testing facility is available only with Liberty in India after FDDI. 6. Liberty is the First Footwear Manufacturing facility in India awarded with the latest ISO 9001:2000 Certification. 7 The first and only footwear Industry in India, having SAP ERP with all modules related to Inward/Outward supply chain, Materials, Finance and Costing

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CORPORATE GOALS Any company if it grows which is the key to survival in the long run should clear and well defined goals. The goals of liberty shoes limited are given below: Liberty wants to develop a spirit of cooperation between individuals and group within the company Liberty wants to attain and maintain good relations between its union and management Liberty will endeavor to keep highly qualified employees by appropriate training and thus raise their morale and competence. Liberty will try to practice management of highest standard of competence and professionalism. Liberty will strive to remain or become the technological as well as market leaders in footwear industry and leather product industry. Liberty wants to be known for the quality of its products and services.

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS Leather Export Promotion Merit Award (1975), till 1982. Haryana Government Export Award (1978-79). International Asian Award, Jakarta (1982). European Awards, Paris (1987). National Award for best Export of Leather Garments (1987-88). International Award for Good Quality, Brussels, Belgium (1988). Leather Export Award for Government of India (1991-92). National Productivity Award from president (1997). Council of Leather Export (CLE), Indias apex body of leather products exporters, during the international leather fair held at Chennai, conferred is highest award the DOYEN OF INDUSTRY upon Mr.P.D.Gupta on 5th Feb., 98. Worldwide Prestige Award (WPA)-2001.

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6.3 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF LIBERTY

C.E.O

C.G.M

Liberty Revolutions Ltd.

Liberty Shoes Ltd. Departments

Liberty White Ware Ltd.

H.R

Finance

Production

Purchase

Marketing

R&D

IT

Excise

Domestic

Export

Institutional Sales

FIG -6.4

Department Heads
C.E.O: Mr. Adesh Gupta H.R: Mr. M.S Sharma Finance: Mr. Ajay Dhingra Production: Mr. State Khare Domestic: Mr. Raman Bansal Export: Mr. Sunil Goel Institutional Sales: Mr. Haemant Mohan D&D: Mr. Kajal Sinha IT: Mr. Inderjit Singh Excise: Mr. Pramod Bansal Lab: Mr. Suresh Kumar

28

Fig -6.5 ORGANISATION CHART OF INSTITUTION SALES DEPARTMENT

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Distribution Network:
Liberty extensive distribution channel has enabled us to develop a firm grip over the market. Its presence in the global front led us to penetrate deep into the various markets of world and offer our qualitative range of products. Our presence across the world is in the form of 02 Overseas Offices 14 Branch Offices 20 Overseas Showrooms 300 Liberty Exclusive Distributors 375 Retail Stores (10 outside India).

PRODUCT RANGE
The new range from Liberty is all about style, design, and comfort. The range imbibes the spirit of fun and is trendy to the core. There is a product for every season and occasion.

Coolers
Coolers are a brand of unisex sandals and slip-ons. Catering to a wide segment across the country Coolers are much sought after not just in the summer season but also during the monsoons and in the coastal regions for their water-resistant property.

Footfun

The brand exhibits the vivacity of children in every way. Colorful and comfortable, the range has smart sandals, elegant sports shoes and bright colored lace up to ensure a formal look for the children.

Force 10

Sporty and vibrant the Force 10 range has been rewriting the industry norms. Constant technologies up gradations have made it one of the more desired brands in the category.

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 Fortune

A pure male fashion brand, Fortune has the latest styles in formal footwear for men. Freedom

Professionals, undertaking high impact, electrical, thermal, chemical or even slippage risks, walking over surfaces or operating in environments that expose them to dangers related to these, use a pair of Boots that they completely rely on.

Whether you are a power plant technician, alkali unit worker, or even an X-treme sports practitioner, you will appreciate the safety of FREEDOM Protective Professional Boots.

Made from super-resilient rubber, blended with PVC, these boots afford the protection that no ordinary footwear can provide, no matter how well they are constructed. They are resistant to, electrical shock, mechanical crush, chemical corrosion and extreme heat and cold. These boots are also anti-static, anti-slippage, non-tear able.

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CHAPTER 7: INVENTORY MANAGEMENT 7.1 INTRODUCTION

Inventories constitute the most significant part of current assets of a company like in India. On an average, Inventories are approximately 60% of current assets in public Ltd. companies in India. A firm neglecting the management of Inventories will be jeopardizing its long run profitability and may fail ultimately. It is possible for a company for a company to reduce its level of Inventories to a considerable degree. The reduction in excessive inventories carries a favorable impact on a companys profitability. Inventory is composed of assets that will sell or used in future in the normal course of business operations. The assets, which firms store as inventory in anticipation of need, are 1. Raw material 2. Work in progress 3. Finished Goods Inventory, is current assets, but differs from other current assets. Because only financial managers are not involved rather, all the functional areas, i.e. finance, marketing, production & purchasing are involved. The job of the financial manager is to reconcile the conflicting view points of the various functional areas regarding the appropriate inventory level in 0order to fulfill the overall objective of maximizing the owners wealth. Thus, Inventory management like the management of other current assets, should be related to the over-all objective of the firm.

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INVENTORY AND FINANCE MANAGER

Although inventory management usually is not the direct operating responsibility of finance manager, the investment of funds in inventory is an important aspect of financial management. Consequently the finance manager must be familiar with ways to control inventory effectively, so that capital may be allocated efficiently. The greater the opportunity cost of funds invested in inventory, the lower is the optimal level of average inventory and also the lower the optimal order quantity, all other things held constant. The EOQ model also can be useful to the finance manager in planning for inventory financing. When demand or usage of inventory is uncertain. The finance manager may try to effect policies that will reduce the average lead time required to receive inventory, once an order is placed. The lower the average lead time, lower is the safety stock needed and lower is the total investment in inventory, all other things held constant. The greater the opportunity cost of funds invested in inventory, the greater is the inventory to reduce this lead time. The purchasing department may try to find new vendor that promise quick delivery, or it may pressure existing vendor to deliver faster. The production department may be able to deliver finish goods faster by producing a smaller run. In either case, there is tradeoff between the added cost involved in reducing the; lead time and the opportunity cost of funds tied up in inventory. The finance manager is also concerned with the risk involved in carrying inventory. The major risks involved in carrying inventory. The major risk is that the market value of specific inventories will be less than the value at which they were acquired. Certain types of inventory are subject to obsolescence, whether it is in technology or in consumer tastes. A change in technology may make an electronic component worthless. A change in style may cause a retailer to sell goods at substantially reduced prices. The principle risk is that of fluctuations in market price. The finance manager is perhaps the best person to make an objective analysis of the risks associated with the firms investment in inventories. These risks must be considered in determining the appropriate level of inventory the firm should carry.

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NATURE OF INVENTORY Inventory are stock of the company is manufacturing for sale and components that make up the product. The various forms in which inventories exist in a manufacturing company are: 1. Raw Material: Raw Material is those basic inputs that are converts into finished goods through manufacturing process. Raw Material inventories are those units, which will purchase & stored for future production. 2. Work in progress: Work in progress inventories are semi-manufactured products. They represent products that need more work before they become finished products for sale. 3. Finished goods: These are completely manufactured products which are ready for sale. Stock of raw materials and work in progress facilitates production while stock of finished goods is required for smooth marketing operations.

PURPOSE OF HOLDING INVENTORY A firm also needs to maintain inventories to reduce costs and ordering costs and avail quantity discounts. There are three main purposes or motive: 1. Transactions motive: It emphasizes the need to maintain inventories to facilitate smooth production & sales operations. 2. Precautionary motive: It necessitates holding of inventories to guard against the unpredictable changes in demand & supply force & other factors. 3. Speculative motive: It influences the decisions to increase or reduce inventory levels to take advantage of price fluctuations

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7.2 OBJECTIVES OF INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

Inventory Management consist various counter-balancing parts: 1. To meet the demand of the product by efficiently organizing the firms production and sale operations. 2. To minimize the firms investment in inventory. 3. To avoid both over-stock and under-stock of inventory. 4. To eliminate duplications in ordering or replenishing stocks. 5. To minimize losses through deterioration, pilferage, wastages & damages. 6. To ensure right quality goods at reasonable prices. 7. To design proper organization for inventory management. 8. To facilitate furnishing of data for short term & long-term planning & control of inventory.

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7.3 DEFINITIONS
The following terms are used in this statement with the meanings specified:

Inventories are assets: (a) (b) (c) Held for sale in the ordinary course of business. In the process of production for such sale, or In the form of materials or supplies to be consumed in the production process or in the rendering of services.

1. Inventories encompass goods purchased and held for resale, for example, merchandise purchased by a retailer and held for resale, computer software held for resale, or land and other property held for resale. Inventories also encompass finished goods produced, or work-in-progress being produced, by the enterprise and include materials, maintenance supplies, consumables and loose tools awaiting use in the production process. Inventories do not include machinery spares which can be used only in connection with an item of fixed asset and whose use is expected to be irregular; such machinery spares are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standard (AS) 10, Accounting for Fixed Assets. 2. Inventories should be valued at lower of cost net realizable value. 3. Cost of Inventories The cost of inventories should comprise all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. 4. Costs of Purchase The costs of purchase consist of the purchase price including duties and taxes (other than those subsequently recoverable by the enterprise from the taxing authorities), freight, inwards and other expenditure directly attributable to the acquisition. Trade discounts, rebates, duty drawbacks and other similar items are deducted in determining the costs of purchase. 5. Costs of Conversion The costs of conversion of inventories include costs directly related to the units

of production, such as direct labor. They also include a systematic allocation of fixed and variable production overheads that are incurred in converting materials into finished

36

goods. Fixed production overheads are those indirect costs of production that remain relatively constant regardless of the volume of production, such as depreciation and maintenance of factory buildings and the cost of factory management and administration. Variable production overheads are those indirect costs of production that vary directly, or nearly with the volume of production such as indirect materials and indirect labour.

6. The allocation of fixed production overheads for purpose of their inclusion in the costs of conversion is on based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. Normal capacity is the production expected to be achieved on an average over a number of periods or seasons under normal circumstances, taking into account the loss of capacity resulting from planned maintenance. The actual level of production may be used if it approximates normal capacity. The amount of fixed production overheads allocated to each unit of production is not increased as a consequence of low production or idle plant. Unallocated overheads are recognized as an expense in the period in which they are incurred. In periods of abnormally high production, the amount of fixed production overheads allocated to each unit of production is decreased so that inventories are not measured above cost. Variable production overheads are assigned to each unit of production on the basis of the actual use of the production facilities.

7. A production process may result in more than one product being produced simultaneously. This is the case, for example, when joint products are produced or when there is a main product and a by- product. When the costs of conversion of each product are not separately identifiable, they are allocated between the products on a rational and consistent basis. The allocation may be based, for example, on the relative sales value of each product either at the stage in the production process when the products become separately identifiable, or at the completion of production. Most by- products as well as scrap or waste materials, by their nature, are immaterial. When this is the case, they are often measured at net realizable value and this value is deducted from the cost of the main product. As a result, the carrying amount of the main product is not materially different from its cost. 8. Other costs are included in the costs of inventories only to the extent that they are incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. For example, it may be

37

appropriate to include overheads other than production overheads or the costs of designing product for specific customers in the cost of inventories.

9. Interest and other borrowing costs are usually considered as not relating to bringing the inventories to their present location and condition and are, therefore, usually not included in the cost of inventories.

10. Exclusions from the cost of Inventories 11. In determining the cost of inventories in accordance with paragraph 3. It is appropriate to exclude certain costs and recognize them as expenses in the period in which they are incurred. Examples of such costs are; 1. Abnormal amounts of wasted materials, labour, or other production costs.

2. Storage costs, unless those costs are necessary in the production process prior to a further production stage.

3. Administrative overheads that do not contribute to bringing the inventories to their present location and condition, and

4. Selling and distribution costs.

12. The cost of inventories of items that are not ordinarily interchangeable and goods or services produced and segregated for specific projects should be assigned by specific identification of their individual costs.

13. Specific identification of cost means that specific costs are attributed to identify items of inventory. This is an appropriate treatment for items that are segregated for a specific project, regardless of whether they have been purchased or produced. However, when there are large numbers of items of inventory which are ordinarily interchangeable, specific identification of costs is inappropriate since, in such circumstances, an enterprise could obtain predetermined effects on the net profit or loss for the period by selecting a particular method of ascertaining the items that remain in inventories.

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14. The cost of inventories, other than those dealt with in paragraph 11, should be assigned by using the first-in, first-out (FIFO), or weighted average cost formula. The formula used should reflect the fairest possible approximation to the cost incurred in bringing the items of inventory to their present location and condition. 15. A variety of cost formulas is used to determine the cost of inventories other than those for which specific identification of individual costs is appropriate. The formula used in determining the cost of an item of inventory needs to be selected with a view to providing the fairest possible approximation to the cost incurred in bringing the item to its present location and condition.

The FIFO formula assumes that the items of inventory which were purchased or produced first are consumed or sold first, and consequently the items remaining in inventory at the end of the period are those most recently purchased or produced. Under the weighted average costs formula, the cost of each item is determined from the weighted average of the cost of similar items at the beginning of a period and the cost of similar items purchased or produced during the period. The average may be calculated on a periodic basis or as each additional shipment is received, depending upon the circumstances of the enterprise. 16. Techniques for the measurement of the cost of inventories, such as the standard cost method or the retail method, may be used for convenience if the results approximate the actual cost. Standard costs take into account normal levels of consumption of materials and supplies, labour, efficiency and capacity utilization. They are regularly reviewed and if necessary, revised in the light of current conditions.

17. The retail method is often used in the retail trade for measuring inventories of large numbers of rapidly changing items that have similar margins and for which is impracticable to use other costing methods. The cost of the inventory is determined by reducing from the sales value of the inventory the appropriate percentage gross margin. The percentage used takes into consideration inventory which has been marked down to below its original selling price. An average percentage for each retail department is often used.

18. The cost of inventories may not be recoverable if those inventories are damaged, if they have become wholly or partially obsolete, or if their selling prices have declined. The cost of

39

inventories may also not be recoverable if the estimated costs of completion or the estimated costs necessary to make the sale have increased.

The practice of writing down inventories below cost to net realizable value is consistent with the view that assets should not be carried in excess of a amounts expected to be realized from their sale or use.

19. Inventories are usually written down to net realizable value on an item-by-item basis. In some circumstances, however, it may be appropriate to group similar or related items. This may be the case with items of inventory relating to the same product line that have similar purposes or end uses and are produced and marketed in the same geographical area and cannot be practicably evaluated separately from other items in that product line. It is not appropriate to write down inventories based on a classification of inventory, for example, finished goods, or all the inventories in a particular business segment.

20. Estimates of net realizable value are based on the most reliable evidence available at the time the estimates are made as to the amount the inventories are expected to realize. These estimates take into consideration fluctuations of price or cost directly relating to events occurring after the balance sheet date to the extent that such events confirm the conditions existing at the balance sheet date.

21. Estimates or net realizable value also take into consideration the purpose for which the inventory is held. For example, the net realizable value of the quantity of inventory held to satisfy firm sales or service contracts is based on the contract price. If the sales contracts are for less than the inventory quantities held, the net realizable value of the excess inventory is based on general selling prices. Contingent losses on firm sales contracts in excess of inventory quantities held and contingent losses on firm purchase contracts are dealt with in accordance with the principles enunciated in Accounting Standard (A.S) 4, contingencies and events occurring after the balance sheet date.

22. Materials and other supplies held for use in the production of inventories are not written down below cost if the finished products in which they will be incorporated are expected to

40

be sold at or above cost. However, when there has been a decline in the price of materials and it is estimated that the cost of the finished products will exceed net realizable value, the materials are written down to net realizable value. In such circumstances, the replacement cost of the materials may be the net available measure of their net realizable value. An assessment is made of net realizable value as at each balance sheet date. 23. Disclosure. The financial statements should disclose: The accounting policies adopted in measuring inventories, including the cost formula used, and The total carrying amount of inventories and its classification appropriate to the

enterprise. 24. Information about the carrying amounts held in different classifications of inventories

and the extent of the changes in these assets is useful to financial statement users. Common classifications of inventories are raw materials and components, work in progress, finished goods, stores, spares and loose tools.

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VALUATION OF INVENTORY The price of materials and income of a concern is directly proportional to each other. So it is necessary that a method of pricing materials should be such that it gives a realistic value stocks. To safe guard public interest, the Government of India has instituted statutory controls to prevent frequent change of material valuation method for at least three years. The following material pricing methods are generally used:

First in First out Last in First out Average Price Method

(FIFO) (LIFO)

Average Price Method

Simple average method

Weighted average method

Base Stock Method Market Price Method Standard Price Method

BENEFITS OF HOLDING INVENTORY The major benefits of holding Inventory are the basic functions which are of crucial important in firms production & marketing strategies. The basic function of Inventory is to act as a buffer to decouple or uncouple the various activities of a firm so that all do not have to be pursued at exactly the same rate The key activities are: 1. Purchasing 2. Production 3. Selling

42

BENEFITS IN PURCHASING If the purchasing of raw material and other goods is not tied to production/sales, i.e. a firm can purchase, several advantages would become available. In the first place, a firm can purchase larger quantities than is warranted by usage in production or the sales level. In the second, firms can purchase goods before anticipated or announced price increase. This will lead to a decline in the cost of production. Thus Inventory, serves as a hedge against price increases as well as shortages of raw materials. This is highly desirable inventory strategy. BENEFITS IN PRODUCTION Finished goods inventor serves to uncouple production and sale. This enables production at a rate different from that sale. That is production can be carried on at a higher or lower than the sales rate. This would be of special advantage to firms with a seasonal sales pattern. In their case, the sales rate will be higher than the production rate during the part of the year (peak season) and lower during the off-season. The choice before the firm is either to produce at a level to meet the actual demand. In brief, since inventory permits least cost production scheduling. Production can be carried on more efficiently. BENEFITS IN SALES The maintenance of inventory also helps a firm to enhance its sales effort. For one thing, if there are no inventories of finished goods, the level of sales will depend upon the level of current production. A firm will not be able to meet demand instantaneously. There will be a lag depending upon the production process. If the firm has inventory, actual sales will not have to depend on lengthy manufacturing process.

7.4 INVENTORY CONTROL

Effective inventory management requires an effective control system for the inventories. In managing inventories, the firms objective should be in consonance with the shareholders, wealth maximization principle. To achieve this, the firm should determine the optimum level inventory. Efficiently controlled inventories make the firm flexible. Inefficient control results in unbalanced inventory and inflexibility the firm may sometimes run out of the stock and

43

sometimes may pile up unnecessary stocks. This increases the level of investment and makes the firm unprofitable. To manage inventories efficiency, answers should be sought to the following two questions: 1. How much should be ordered? 2. When it should be ordered? The first questions, how much to order relates to the problem of determining economic order quantity (EOQ), and is answered with an analysis of costs of maintaining certain level of inventories. The second question, when to order arises because of uncertainty and is problem of determining the reorder point. ECONOMIC ORDER QUANTITY One of the major inventory management problem is to be resolved is how much inventory should be added when inventory is replenished. If the firm is buying raw materials, is has to decide lots in which it has to be purchased on each replenish. If the firm is planning a production run, the issue is how much production to schedule. These problem, are called order quantity problems, and the task of the firm is to determine the optimum or economic order quantity. Determining an optimum level of inventory level involves two types of costs: 1. Ordering costs 2. Carrying costs

44

ORDERING COST This category of cost is associated with the acquisition or ordering of inventory. Firms have to place orders with suppliers to replenish inventory of raw material. The expenses involved are referred to as ordering costs. Included in the ordering costs are involved in Preparing a purchase order or requisition form Receiving, inspection and recording the goods received

Ordering costs increase with the number of orders; thus more frequently inventory is acquired, the higher the firms ordering costs. On the other hand, if the firms maintain large inventory levels, there will be few orders placed and ordering costs will be relatively small. Thus, ordering costs decrease with increasing size of inventory. CARRYING COST Costs incurred for maintaining a given level of inventory are called Carrying costs. They include: Storage. Insurance, taxes, Deterioration and Obsolescence. Carrying costs vary with inventory size. This behavior is contrary to that of ordering costs which decline with increase in size of inventory. The economic size of inventory would thus depend on trade-off between carrying costs and ordering costs. The optimum inventory size is commonly referred to as economic order quantity. It is that order size at which annual total costs of ordering and holding are the, minimum. We can follow three approaches the trial and error approach, the formula approach and the graphic approach to determine the economic order quantity (EOQ). 2AO EOQ = C

Where, A is annual requirement. O is Ordering cost. And C is Carrying cost.

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Graphic approach:
The economic order quantity can also be found out graphically. Figure illustrates the EOQ function. In the figure, costs-carrying, ordering and total- are plotted on vertical axis and horizontal axis is used to represent the order size. We note that total carrying costs increase as the order size increasers, because, on an average, a larger inventory level will be maintained, and ordering costs decline with increase in order size means less number of orders. The behaviors of total costs line is noticeable since it is a sum of two types of cost which behave differently with order size. The total costs decline in the first instance, but they start rising when the decrease in average ordering cost is more than offset by the increase in carrying costs. The economic order quantity occurs at the point Q* where the total cost is minimum. Thus, the firms operating profit is maximized at point Q*.

Minimum total cost

Carrying cost Costs ordering cost

Q*

order size (Q)

Fig -7.1Economic order quantity

Optimum productions run: The use of the EOQ approach can be extended to production runs to determine the optimum size of manufacture. Two costs involved are set-up costs and carrying costs. Set-up costs include costs on the following activities: preparing and processing the stock orders, preparing drawings and specifications, tooling machines set-up, handling machines, tools, equipment and materials, over time etc. Production runs but carrying costs will increase as large stocks of manufactured inventories will be held. The

46

economic production size will be the one where the total of set-up and carrying costs is minimum. RE-ORDER POINT The problem, how much to order is solved by determining the economic order quantity, yet the answer should be sought to the second problem, when to order. This is a problem of determining the re-order point. The re-order point is that inventory level at which an order should be placed to replenish the inventory. To determine the re-order point under certainty, we should know: (a) Lead time, (b) average usage, and (c) economic order quantity. Lead time is the time normally taken in replenishing inventory after the order has been placed. By certainty we mean that usage and lead time do not fluctuate. Under such a situation, re-order point is simply that inventory level which will be maintain for consumption during the lead time. That is: Re-order point= Lead Time* Average usage. SAFETY STOCK It is difficult to predict usage and lead time accurately. The demand for material may fluctuate from day to day or from week to week. Similarly, the actual delivery time may be different from the normal lead time. If the actual usage increases or the delivery of inventory is delayed, the firm can face a problem of stock-out which can prove to be costly for the firm. To guard this problem, the firm may maintain a safety-stock some minimum or buffer inventory as cushion against expected increased usage and delay in delivery time.

VED Analysis:
The VED analysis is used generally for spare parts. The requirement and urgency of spare parts is different from that of materials. A-B-C analysis may not be properly used for spare parts. The demand for spares depends upon the performance of the plant and machinery. Spare parts are classified as: Vital (V), Essential (E) and Desirable (D). The vital spares are a must for running the concern smoothly and these must be stored adequately. The non-availability of vital spares will cause havoc in the concern. The E types of spares are also necessary but their stocks may be kept at low figures. The stocking of D types of spares may be avoided at times. If the lead time of these spares is less, then stocking of these spares can be avoided.

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The classification of spares under three categories is an important decision. A wrong classification of any spare will create difficulties for production department. The classification of spares should be left to the technical staff because they know the need, urgency and use of these spares. Assumptions: In applying EOQ formula, it is assumed that:

(i)

Total demand is known with certainty.

(ii)

The usage rate of material is steady.

(iii)

Orders for replenishment on inventory are placed exactly when

inventories

reach ordering level.

(iv)

The ordering cost per order and holding cost per unit are constant.

EOQ and Total Inventory Cost: At EOQ level total inventory cost is minimum. Total inventory cost is the sum of material purchase cost, ordering cost and carrying cost

As per the formula: Total Inventory Cost (TIC) = Material Purchase Cost + Total Carrying Cost Ordering Cost + Total

= (R x P) + (R/Po x Cp) + (Qo/2 x Ch)

Discount Offer and Economic Order Quantity: Sometimes supplier offers different discounts on orders of large quantity. In such a situation, at first we should calculate EOQ and find out TIC without considering discount offer. Then we should calculate TIC of each alternative offer. That quantity will be EOQ at TIC is the lowest.

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PERPETUAL INVENTORY CONTROL TECHNIQUE Perpetual inventory system implies maintenance of up-to-date stock records and in its broad sense it covers both continuous stock taking as well as up-to-date recording stores books. According to Weldon, It may be defined as a method of recording stores balances after every receipt and issue to facilitate regular checking and to obviate closing down for sock-taking. The basic object of this system is to make available details about the quantity and value of stock of each item at all times. The system thus provides a rigid control over stock of each item of store can regularly be verified with the stock records in the bin cards kept in the stores and stores ledger maintained in cost office.

Advantages of Perpetual Inventory system:

1.Saving in time: The long and costly work of stocktaking is avoided. Hence, interim and final financial accounts can be prepared with greater convenience. 2.Arrangement of proper verification: In this system a detailed and more reliable checking of the store is exercised because of the continuous and random checking. 3.Verification of Errors: Errors are easily located and rectified. This gives an opportunity for preventing a recurrence in many cases. 4.Double control: Due to separate records in Bin card and stores ledger, double control is maintained. 5. Optimum size of material: Overstocking and under stocking can be avoided because perpetual inventory system covers verification of stock with regards to maximum, minimum and other levels. 6.Lack of misuse of Material: Under this system, effective control on issue of material is possible, thus misuse of material can be avoided. 7.Moral Check on Stores staff: Due to continuous checking, this system serves as a moral check on the stores staff. They are discouraged from committing dishonesty. 8.Loss of stock due to obsolescence: It is detected at an early stage and so timely action can be taken to prevent recurrence. SELECTIVE INVENTORY CONTROL ABC ANALYSIS Usually a firm has to maintain several types of inventories. It is not desirable to keep the same degree of control on all of the items. The firm should pay maximum attention to those items whose value is the highest. The firm should, therefore, classify inventories to identify

49

which items should receive the most effort in controlling. The firm should be selective in its approach to control investment in various types of inventories. This analytical approach is called ABC analysis and tends to measure the significance of each item of inventories in terms of its value. The high value items are classified as An item and would be under the tightest control. C items represent relatively least value and would be under simple control. B items fall in between these two categories and require reasonable attention of management. The ABC analysis concentrates on important items is also known as control by importance and exception (CIE). As the items are classified in the importance of their relative, this approach is also known as proportional value analysis (PVA). The following steps are involved in implementing the ABC analysis: 1. Classify the items of inventories, determining the expected use in units and the price per unit for each item. 2. Determine the total value of each item by multiplying the expected units by its units price. 3. Rank the items in accordance with the total value, giving first rank to the item with highest total value and so on. 4. Compute the ratios of number of units of each item to total units of all items and the ration of total value of each item to total value of all items. 5. Combine items on the basis of their relative value to form three categories A, B and C 6. Table 7.1 The data in the following table illustrate the ABC analysis.

CLASS A B C

NO. OF ITEMS% 15 30 55

VALUE OF ITEMS% 70 20 10

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Just-in-time (JIT) System: Japanese firms popularized the just-in-time (JIT) system in the world. In a JIT system material or the manufactured components and part arrive to the manufacturing sites or stores just few hours before they are put to use. The delivery of material is synchronized with the manufacturing cycle and speed. JIT system eliminates the necessity of carrying large inventories, and thus, saves carrying and other related costs of manufacturer. The system requires perfect understanding and coordination between the manufacturer and supplier in terms of the timing of delivery and quality of the material. Poor quality material or complements could halt the production. The JIT inventory system complements the total quality management (TQM). The success of the system depends on how well a company manages its suppliers. The system puts tremendous pressure on suppliers. They will have to develop adequate system and procedures to satisfactory meet the needs of manufacturers.

System of Accounting for Material Issued/Inventory Systems

Either the periodic inventory system or the perpetual inventory system may be used to

account for materials issued to production and ending materials inventory.

Periodic Inventory System

Under the periodic inventory system, the purchase of materials is recorded in Purchase of Raw Materials Account. The opening/beginning inventory, if any, is recorded in a separate Materials Inventory- Opening Account. The materials available for use during a period equal purchases plus opening inventory. A physical count is made of the materials on hands at the end of the period to arrive at the closing/ending materials inventory. The cost of materials for the period is determined as shown in Exhibit:

Cost of Materials Issued

Materials inventory-opening + Purchases = Materials available for use - Materials inventory-closing (based on physical count) = Cost of materials issued

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INVENTORY TURNOVER RATE TECHNIQUE

One important technique of inventory control is to use inventory turnover ratios. These ratios are calculated to assess the efficiency in use of inventories. Following control ratios can be computed for inventory analysis: Inventory Turnover Ratio = Cost of goods sold/ Average Inventory Where Average Inventory = (Opening Inventory + Closing Inventory)/2

Inventory Turnover Ratios can be calculated separately for raw materials and finished goods.

(A)

Raw Material Turnover Ratio = Raw Material Consumed/ Average stock of Raw material.

(B)

Finished Goods Turnover Ratio = Cost of Goods Sold/ Average Stock of Finished Goods Average Age of inventory of inventory Turnover in Days = Days during the period/ Inventory Turnover Ratio

(i)

Average inventory to total cost of production = (Average Inventory/ total cost of production) x 100

(ii)

Slow Moving Stores to Total Inventory = Average Cost of Slow Moving Stores/Average Inventory

(iii)

Inventory Performance Index = (Actual Material Turnover Ratio/ Standard Material Turnover Ratio) x 100 These ratios provide a broad framework for the control and provide the basis for future decisions regarding inventory control. The ratios provide a tough indication of when Inventory levels are going to be high. Even if it appears from the ratio that the levels are too high there might be a perfectly good reason why the level of Inventory is being maintained. The ratios also indicate the situation and trend. However, the limitation of ratios should be kept in mind. They are not an end themselves, but only tools of sound Inventory Management.

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7.5 INVENTORY MANAGEMENT AT LIBERTY

Every industry needs raw material search, so as footwear industry. LIBERTY also does this raw material search for finding cheaper source of raw material. LIBERTY does this to find the nearest supplier. To reduce lead time.

LIBERTY works on ABC analysis for fund management. There are three categories of such items in ABC analysis Category A: items of higher value and importance. Category B: items of medium value and importance. Category C: items of lesser value and importance. LIBERTY always monitors category items, in the sense that these items should not be kept idle because these items need lot of funds. So, they are very careful for a category item. They keep only that much stock which is required immediately and equal to that of lead time.

MATERIAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AT LIBERTY;

1. Material management department at LIBERTY receives purchase requisition Production Planning and Control Department. On the basis of that requirement, they check their stock and adjust that in available stock and issue the purchase order of the balance requirement to the predetermined and predecided suppliers.

2. On receipt of material from the supplier, the invoices are entered in DMR (daily material register) 3. From here, the material is sent to stores for Quality Control and the invoices are sending to computer section of material management department. Now both the departments function primarily or side by side. 4. Then quality and quantity is being checked in the stores.

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5. The invoices are being received in SAP. 6. After quality control the material is given to the store keeper for proper storage and if there is any deviation either in quality or quantity of material than, the quality reports are send to account department by quality control department for proper handling of bills.

ISSUE OF MATERIAL TO CONVEYER On receipt of material required slip from production planning and control department the stores issue and send the material to different conveyor as mention on the required slip.

PROCESS CYCLE

Manufacturing process:
The company has three kinds of production lines:1. PVC Injection Moulding Process. 2. Stuck on / Lasting Process. 3. EVA Injection Moulding Process.

The manufacturing process can be divided into the following:1. Making of shoe. 2. Soling (complete shoe). 3. Finishing & packing.

NON LEATHER SHOES:Non-Leather Shoe Uppers: In non leather upper making process, laminated cloth/synthetic material is cut on the cutting machines according to required size of the uppers, then these cut compound of the uppers undergo for stitching process where the required components are stitched together to make the upper.

54

Non-Leather Shoe-Soling / Injection Moulding:The non-leather shoe upper undergo a process known as the PVC INJECTION MOULDING PROCESS under which upper is tied upon the last which is mounted on the machine according to the size roll. In the process PVC granules are used as raw material for sole making which get stucked to the upper with the help of injection. LEATHER SHOES:Leather Shoe Upper:In leather shoe upper making process leather is cut by hand or on the cutting machines according to the required size of uppers. Machines cutting process is based on dyes which are prepared separately for each model. Cutting by hand is on the basis of the pattern to be specified for each model of the uppers. After skiving and folding these components are assembled together with the help of stitching machines as per the type of upper required.

Leather Shoe Soling / Stuck-On Process:In stuck on process, shoe is made by readymade sole which can be of PU, TPR, EVA, LEATHER etc.Upper is lasted on the shoe last according to the size roll with the help of machines. Thereafter sole according to the upper size is taken and they get stucked together with the help of pasting process. After completing the sole attachment, lasts are removed and then the shoe is finished with the help of trimming machines and stamping machines.

FINISHING AND PACKING:Both Leather and Non-Leather shoe are given the required finished touches by putting insole, padding, tissue paper etc and after attaching tags, laces etc, are packed in boxes dispatch EVA INJECTION MOULDING PROCESS The raw material used for the process is EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) granules which are fed into the barrel with the help of hoppers (suction device). After entering into the barrel, a paste of the granules is formed by heating and then this paste is injected into the moulds as per shape and size of the required footwear. EVA Injected range of slippers, sandals represent the most advanced step in the technology for a market.

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RAW MATERIAL USED:

CUTTING MATERIAL

1. Cloth strobe 2. Padded foam 3. Goat skin 4. Softy (cow leather) 5. Cow Venus black 6. Toe puff sheet 7. Foam P.U 8. T.P counter sheet 9. Heavy nylex black 10. Silicon spray 11. Laminated cloth (rexine) 12. Laminated cloth (skin fit) 13. Laminated cloth (mesh) 14. Laminated cloth (RIB) 15. Laminated cloth (canvas) 16. Laminated cloth (EVA lycra) 17. Laminated cloth PVC lining) 18. Leather 19. Leather lining 20. Camarilla lining 21. Fleece lining 22. Rubber CLOSING MATERIAL: 1. Thread 2. Tongue 3. Tape intake (eyelet tape) 4. Eyelet brass 5. Adhesive neufix 6. Adhesive rubber solution 7. Binding nylon

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8. Label 9. Adhesive rubber latex 10. Tape cotton 11. Piping polyester PACKING MATERIAL: 1. Boxes 2. Shoe lift 3. Marketing bag corporate small/non woven 4. Adhesive sticker pictogram 5. Hologram liberty footwear 6. Silica gel blue 7. Tissue paper white/poster paper 8. Tag card 9. Tag pin 10. Carton 11. Carton label 12. Price stickers 13. Hologram genuine 14. Plastic heel 15. Label printed stock, glider black/red.

LASTING MATERIAL: 1. Adhesive P.U 107 2. Adhesive nefix 3. EVA Sole 4. EVA Sheet 5. Sole INJECTION MATERIAL: 1. PVC Compound 2. EVA Compound 3. PVC Master batch 4. EVA Master batch.

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7.6 INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

CHALLENGES: SINGLE INTEGRATED SYSTEM Liberty Shoes Ltd was on a path of rapid expansion. With Liberty aiming at markets spread across the globe, transparency of, and control over, business operations across the extended organization was posing a big challenge for the top management. Liberty needed a single integrated and, more importantly, universal solution which would enable them to establish central transaction and management control. This would, in turn, enable accurate and on time generation of consolidated MIS reports, helping top management to monitor the health of individual companies efficiently. Second, the local management needed systemic support to run their day to day operations. Generating timely and accurate MIS reports, recording daily transactions and reporting to central office on time was a great challenge at all the individual offices. Another important area which needed immediate attention was inventory management. Thus, it was clear that we needed a system that would be universal, as well as handle country specific localization needs.

Decision to implement SAP Business One

Liberty Shoes Ltd looked for a solution that was universal yet locally adaptable. They evaluated a few options before deciding on SAP Business One. Liberty felt that SAP provided them the much needed adaptability and flexibility. SAP also inherently possessed control and check features for management control which was important for Liberty Shoes Ltd, considering their future global expansion plans. Also, SAP was webenabled, had the necessary reporting capabilities and had local product support at all the locations considered for implementation. So, SAP was a clear winner.

Managing a multi location implementation The biggest challenge Liberty had to deal with was managing simultaneous implementation across global locations. While the company put together a competent internal team, they realized that not many members had firsthand experience working at these locations nor did they have an understanding of the local systems in place.

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After a careful consideration, Octopus-e International was selected as the implementation partner for all the locations. Octopus-e set up an experienced team to handle the complexities of the project. The Big Bang implementation approach was followed and implementation was kicked off in July 2009 across all the locations simultaneously. Standard modules including sales, purchase, inventory, finance and banking were implemented and the solution was customized according to local tax and reporting structures. Even though there were challenges in coping with language issues and understanding the local context, Octopus-e drew on their experience to deal with them, says Atul Sherry, Director, Octopus-e International. Liberty Shoes ltd needed a common chart of accounts for all the companies; mapping the chart of accounts across the three countries accurately was quite challenging for the implementation team. With the help of the dedicated internal team and our own team, the implementation was completed in just three months.

SYSTEM ANALYSIS
System Analysis refers into the process of examining a situation with the intent of improving it through better procedures and methods. System Analysis is the process of planning a new System to either replace or complement an existing system. But before any planning is done the old system must be thoroughly understood and the requirements determined. System Analysis is therefore, the process of gathering and interpreting facts, diagnosing problems and using the information to re-comment improvements in the System. Or in other words, System Analysis means a detailed explanation or description. Before computerized a system under consideration, it has to be analyzed. We need to study how it functions currently, what are the problems, and what are the requirements that the proposed system should meet. System Analysis is conducted with the following objectives in mind: Identify the customers need. Evaluate the system concept for feasibility. Perform economic and technical analysis. Allocate functions to hardware, software people, database and other system elements. Establish cost and schedule constraints. Create a system definition that forms the foundation for all the subsequent engineering work. Requirement Analysis/ SRS of the Component.

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PROBLEM DEFINITION To provide the basic services related to the Supply of the material to maintain their PRE-SO (Supply Order) and POST-SO details. The product will take care of all the supply orders. PreSo is maintained from the starting of the financial year. It is concern to keep the records of each Supply Order, which is received, from firm, supplying equipments. These equipments are then assigned a unique ISG Number given by BRO, further they are supplied to different project departments of BRO. The reference of Last Purchase Price (LPP) of the equipments corresponding to the ISG (Initial Stocking Guide) is maintained to form the transaction sheet of the particular financial year. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS The following performance characteristics should be taken care of while developing the system: User friendliness: The system should be easy to learn and understand so that new user can also use the system effectively, without any difficulty. User satisfaction: The system should meet user expectations. Response time: The response time of all the operations should be low. This can be made possible by careful programming. Error handling: Response to user errors and the undesired situations should be taken care of to ensure that the system operates without halting. Safety: The system should be able to avoid or tackle catastrophic behavior.

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7.2 DATA FLOW DIAGRAM

Projects LIBERTYY BUILDWEL L

1

Address

Part Num SO Num Rate V/E/P Type Type

M

re Nomenclatu ISG Num

Stores

TP Price List Supply

ESD,WSD

Firm

Name

The Data Flow Diagram shows the flow of data or information. It can be partitioned into single processes or functions. Data Flow Diagrams can be grouped together or decomposed into multiple processes. The DFD is an excellent communication tool for analysts to model processes and functional requirements. Used effectively, it is a useful and easy to understand modeling tool. It has broad application and usability across most software development

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projects. It is easily integrated with data modeling, workflow modeling tools, and textual specs. Together with these, it provides analysts and developers with solid models and specs. Alone, however, it has limited usability. It is simple and easy to understand by users and can be easily extended and refined with further specification into a physical version for the design and development teams. The different versions are Context Diagrams (Level 0), Partitioned Diagrams (single process only -- one level), functionally decomposed, and leveled sets of Data Flow Diagrams.

DATA STORE
A repository of information. In the physical model, this represents a file, table, etc. In the logical model, a data store is an object or entity.

DATA FLOWS
DFDs show the flow of data from external entities into the system, showed how the data moved from one process to another, as well as its logical storage. There are only four symbols: 1. Squares representing external entities, which are sources or destinations of data. 2. Rounded rectangles representing processes, which take data as input, do something to it, and output it. 3. Arrows representing the data flows, which can either, be electronic data or physical items. 4. Open-ended rectangles representing data stores There are several common modeling rules for creating DFDs: 1. All processes must have at least one data flow in and one data flow out. 2. All processes should modify the incoming data, producing new forms of outgoing data. 3. Each data store must be involved with at least one data flow. 4. Each external entity must be involved with at least one data flow. 5. A data flow must be attached to at least one process.

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63

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION CHAPTER: 8

FINANCIAL RATIOS RELATED TO INVENTORY.

Raw material turnover ratio: Raw material turnover ratio is velocity at which raw material converted into goods ready for sale. If raw material turnover ratio is high then company is efficiency converting into finished goods. Formula: Material consumed / Average raw material Raw Material Turnover Ratio Year 2011 2010 2009 Raw material consumed (Rs) 576,484,922 371,223,873 230,779,236 Avg R.M 53,608,082 36,137,266 132,002,490 Ratio 10.75 10.27 1.74

Fig:8.1 Ratio 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2011 2010 Years 2009 Ratio

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Form above graph we come know that raw material turnover ratio is increased rapidly in 2010 from 1.74 in 2009 to 10.27 for 20010. Indicates that company is converting raw material into finished or semi finished goods very quickly.

Holding period of raw material:

It refers to the number of days taken for the production unit to convert raw material to finish goods. Formula: 360 /Raw material turnover ratio

Holding period of raw material Year 2011 2010 2009 Total Days 360 360 360 Ratio 10.75 10.27 1.74 Days 33 35 206

Fig :8.2 Raw material holding Period 250 200 D 150 RHP A 100 Y S 50 0 2011 2010 Years 2009

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As the raw material turnover ratio is increasing form to 10.27 for 2010 it indicates that firm is taking less days for conversion as compared to 2009. In 2009 conversion period was 206 days but in decreased to 35 days for 2010. This is shown in above graph. Before 2010 there was no production process they were converting semi finished goods into finished products hence to start their own production process they hold the raw material in 2009 .

Work in Process Turnover ratio:

Work in process turnover ratio is velocity at which W.I.P converted into goods ready for sale. If W.I.P turnover ratio is high then company is efficiency converting into finished goods. Formula: Cost of production/ Average W.I.P

Fig 8.3W.I.P turnover ratio Year 2011 2010 2009 Cost of production 849,054,442 555,094,500 361,110,197 Avg W.I.P 36,720,702 15,010,347 9,755,839 Ratio 23.12 36.98 37.01

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Work in Process Turnover ratio

40 35 30 D A Y S 25 20 15 10 5 0 2011 2010 Years 2009 Ratio

Form above graph we came to know that Work in process turnover ratio is decreasing from 37.01 in 2009 to 23.12 2011. The ratio was high in 2009 as compared to 2010 and 2011. The ratio was 37.01. Indicates that company is converting semi finished into finished goods quickly

Holding period of W.I.P:

It refers to the number of days taken for the production unit to convert semi finished goods into finish goods. Formula 360 W.I.P turnover ratio

Fig-8.4Holding period of W.I.P Year 2011 2010 2009 Total Days 360 360 360 Ratio 23.12 36.98 37.01 Days 15.57 9.73 9.72

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Holding period of W I P 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2011 2010 Years 2009

D A Y S

Ratio

As the work in process turnover ratio is increasing form 9.72. in 2009 To 15.57 for 2011 it indicates that firm is taking less days for conversion. Which shown in above graph

Finished goods turnover ratio:

Finished goods turnover ratio is velocity at which finished goods converted into for sale. If finished goods turnover ratio is high then company is efficient. Formula: Cost of goods sold Average finished goods

Fig-8.5 Finished goods turnover ratio Year 2011 2010 2009 cost of goods sold 849,054,442 555,094,500 361,110,197 Avg F.G 26,243,339 19,858,482 10,940,008 Ratio 32.35 27.95 33.01

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Finished Goods Turnover Ratio

34 33 32 31 D 30 29 A 28 Y 27 26 S 25 2011 2010 Years 2009

Ratio

Form above graph we came know that finished goods turnover ratio is decreasing from 33.01 in 2009 to 27.95 for 2010. Indicates that company is selling goods little slowly as compared to 2009 but it is bit fast as compared to 2011. Where the ratio for that particular period was 32.35 decreased to 11.20 for 2011 it is satisfactory. Which shown in above graph.

Inventory to capital employed:

This ratio indicates the relationship between the total capitals employed and inventories it shows how much capital utilized to invest in the inventories other than the other assets. The normal manufacturing firms have low ratio of inventory total capital employed in the organization.

Fig -8.6Inventory to capital employed Total capital Year 2011 2010 Inventory 197,465,069 121,558,000 employed 301,443,215 145,492,599 Percentage 65.50 83.54

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2009 Formula:

67,994,623

98,333,324

69.14

Inventory / Total capital employed

Inventory to capital employed

P E R C E N T A G E

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2011 2010 Years 2009

ICE

By observing above graph we can say that the firm investing huge amount in inventories compared to other assets. It invested 83.54% of its capital in inventory in 2010 where as it reduced to 65.50% in 2011

Inventory to current asset ratio:

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This ratio indicates the relationship between the inventory and current assets. It shows the percentage of inventory to current assets, which helps the organizations in deciding the current assets policy which also affect the liquidity position of the organization. Formula: Inventory / Current assets

Inventory to current asset ratio Year 2011 2010 2009 Inventory 197,465,069 121,558,000 67,994,623 current assets 331,314,504 237,687,684 117,022,625 Percentage 59.60 51.14 58.10

P E R 62

Fig-8.7 Inventory to current asset ratio

60 C 58 E N T A G E 56 54 52 50 48 46 2011 2010 Years 2009 Ratio

The inventory to current assets ratio in the year 2009 was 58.10% and it decreased to 51.14% in the year 2010 but again it increased to 59.60% in 2011. It shows that the firm investing 59.60% of its investment is for inventory only.

Inventory to total assets:

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This ratio indicates the relationship between the inventory and total assets. The significance of this ratio is it reflects the portion the inventory as a percentage of the total assets, which helps the management deciding the utilization remaining resources profitably, since the inventory will lock up the huge funds and reduces the profitability of the organization Formula: Inventory / Total assets Inventory to total assets Year 2011 2010 2009 Inventory 197,465,069 121,558,000 67,994,623 Total assets 990,329,087 540,916,088 414,901,234 Percentage 19.93 22.47 16.38

Fig -8.8 Inventory to total assets P 25 E R C 20 15 Ratio

E 10 N T A G E 2009 the rate of inventory to total assets was 16.38% it increased to 22.47% During the year 5 0 2011 2010 Years 2009

in 2010. But again it reduced to 19.93% in 2011. It indicates that firm investing only 19.93% in inventory out of total assets.

Inventory to working capital:

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This ratio indicates the relationship between inventory to working capital and it also indicates the amount to inventory tied up in the working capital and it also shows the efficiency of inventory management.

Formula:

Inventory/ Working capital

Inventory to working capital Year 2011 2010 2009 Inventory 197,465,069 121,558,000 67,994,623 Working capital 199,345,123 146,097,210 46,338,277 Percentage 99.05 83.20 146.45

P E R C E N T A G E 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 2011

Fig- 8.9 Inventory to working capital

Ratio

2010 Years

2009

In the year the ratio was 146.45% in 2009. It decreased to 83.20% for 2010 but it increased it to 99.05% in 2011. It indicates that firm investing huge amount in inventory

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8.2 FINDINGS:
1. Raw material turnover ratio is increased rapidly in 2010 from 1.74 in 2009 to 10.27 for 2010. 2. As the raw material turnover ratio is increasing form to 10.27 for 2010 it indicates that firm is taking less days for conversion as compared to 2009.

3. Work in process turnover ratio is decreasing from 37.01 in 2009 to 23.12 2011. The ratio was high in 2009 as compared to 2010 and 2011. 4. As the work in process turnover ratio is increasing form 9.72. in 2009 To 15.57 for 2011 it indicates that firm is taking less days for conversion 5. Finished goods turnover ratio is decreasing from 33.01 in 2009 to 27.95 for 2010. Indicates that company is selling goods little slowly as compared to 2009 but it is bit fast as compared to 2011. 6. Company is selling goods little slowly as compared to 2009 but it is bit fast as compared to 2011. Where the ratio for that particular period was 32.35 7. The inventory to current assets ratio in the year 2010 was 58.10% and it decreased to 51.14% in the year 2011 but again it increased to 59.60% in 2011. It shows that the firm investing 59.60% of its investment is for inventory only. 8. During the year 2010 the rate of inventory to total assets was 16.38% it increased to 22.47% in 2011. But again it reduced to 19.93% in 2009. It indicates that firm investing only 19.93% in inventory out of total assets. 9. In the year the ratio was 146.45% in 2009. It decreased to 83.20% for 2010 but it increased it to 99.05% in 2011. It indicates that firm investing huge amount in inventory. 10. As the finished goods turnover ratio is increasing from 10.87 in 2010 to 12.86 for 2011 it indicates that firm is taking less days for sale. In 2011 conversion period was 12.86 days but in decreased to 11.20 for 2011 it is satisfactory.

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8.3 OPERATIONAL FEASIBILITY OF THE STUDY

It is mainly related to human organizational and political aspects. The points to be considered are What changes will be brought with the system? What organizational structures are distributed? What new skills will be required? Do existing staff members have these skills? If not, can they be trained in due course of time? Generally project will not be rejected simply because of operational infeasibility but such considerations are likely to critically affect the nature and scope of the eventual recommendations. This feasibility study is carried out by a small group of people who are familiar with information system techniques, who understand the parts of the business that are relevant to the project and are skilled in system analysis and design process

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CHAPTER 9:

DATA ANALYSIS
1 Are you aware about Inventory Management System? Yes ------------------------------------------ 75 per cent No ------------------------------------------- 17 per cent Do not know/ Cannot say ---------------- 08 per cent

80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

Yes No Do not know/Can Not say 75% 17% 8%

Yes No Do not know/Can Not say

INTERPRETATION: The awareness level among the company officials regarding the existence, functioning and applicability of inventory management system is high that is 75 per cent, as per the result of the study.

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Do you know that your company has an inventory management system? Yes ---------------------------------------------- 72 per cent No ------------------------------------------------ 20 per cent Do not know/ Cannot say -------------------- 08 per cent

80% 70% 60% 50%

Yes

40%
No

30%
Do not know/Can Not say

20% 10% 0%
Yes No Do not know/Can Not say 72% 20% 8%

INTERPRETATION: The company officials are aware about their company having an inventory management system. 72 per cent of the respondents do have this awareness as against 20 per cent+08 per cent of the respondents who are either not aware or not able to provide any information in this regard.

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Do you agree that there should be an inventory management system in place in any organisation / company? Agree ------------------------------------------------ 68 per cent Disagree --------------------------------------------- 12 per cent Do not know/ Cannot say ------------------------- 20 per cent

70%

60%
Agree

50%
Disagree

40%

Do not know/Can Not say

30%

20%

10%

0%
Agree Disagree Do not know/Can Not say 68% 12% 20%

INTERPRETATION:
According to the response to the above question, it appears that every company/organization should have a system or mechanism in place for managing their inventory.

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For what reasons do you feel that there should be an inventory management system? To smoothen operational requirement --------------------- 27 per cent To save time ---------------------------------------------------- 22 per cent To maintain accountability and transparency ----------------30 per cent Other reasons --------------------------------------------------- 15 per cent Do not know/ Cannot say ------------------------------------ 06 per cent
30%
To smoothen operational requirement To save time To maintain accountability and transparency Other reasons Do not know/ Can not say

25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

To smoothen operational requirement To save time To maintain accountability and transparency Other reasons Do not know/ Can not say

27% 22% 30% 15% 6%

INTERPRETATION: To everyones surprise, 30 per cent of the respondents feel that it is for accountability and transparency purpose that inventory records are maintained and hence the need for an inventory management system. This is followed by the need for saving time and the requirement of operational smoothness.

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Do you agree that the inventory management system in your company has fulfilled the needs for which it was evolved? Strongly Agree --------------------------------------20 per cent Agree ------------------------------------------------- 47 per cent Disagree ----------------------------------------------15 per cent Strongly Disagree ---------------------------------- 07 per cent Do not know/ Can not say ------------------------11 per cent

50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Do not know/ Can not say 20% 47% 15% 7% 11%

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Do not know/ Can not say

INTERPRETATION:
From the above response, it appears that the inventory management system has more or less achieved its objectives for which it was in place. This is evident from the 67 per cent of the respondents opinion who have either agreed or strongly agreed in favour of this proposition. However the response of 22 per cent of the respondents who think otherwise also speaks something.

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What according to you is the major benefit of going for an inventory management system by your company? It has made storage and retrieval of material easier --------- 37 per cent Improved Sales Effectiveness ---------------------------------- 26 per cent Reduced Operational Cost ----------------------------------- 18 per cent Other Benefits -------------------------------------------------- 10 per cent Do not know/ Cannot say ------------------------------------ 09 per cent
40%
It has made storage and retrieval of material easier Improved Sales Effectiveness Reduced Operational Cost Other Benifits Do not know/ Can not say

35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

37% 26% 18% 10% 9%

It has made storage and retrieval of material easier Improved Sales Effectiveness Reduced Operational Cost Other Benifits Do not know/ Can not say

Interpretation:
As regards the benefits of having an inventory management system by the company, the respondents are of the opinion that the major benefit lies in relaxation in terms of storage and retrieval of material. This is followed by increasing efficiency and reduction in operational cost. However, all these benefits are interlinked and the separation between them is more analytical than anything else.

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Do you have skiled professionals in your company for inventory management? Yes ----------------------------------------------- 48 per cent No ------------------------------------------------- 30 per cent Do not know/ Cannot say ---------------------- 22 per cent

50% 45% 40%

No Yes

35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

Yes No Do not know/Can Not say 48% 30% 22%

Do not know/Can Not say

INTERPRETATION: Recruitment of skilled professionals well versed with latest inventory management technology, lacks a bit in this domain.

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8. What categories of professionals are managing your company inventory? Skilled and trained --------------------------------- 32 per cent Only skilled but not trained ----------------------- 16 per cent Non skilled but trained professionals -------------- 20 per cent Non skilled and non trained professionals --------- 25 per cent Others --------------------------------------------------- 07 per cent

35%
Skilled and trained Only skilled but not trained Non skilled but trained professionals Non skilled and non trained professionals Others

30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

Skilled and trained Only skilled but not trained Non skilled but trained professionals Non skilled and non trained professionals Others

32% 16% 20% 25% 7%

INTERPRETATION: As already stated above in the earlier question, availability of trained and skilled professionals for inventory management needs serious attention of the company.

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9. Do you agree that your company gives more emphasis on software than skilled manpower with regard to inventory management? Strongly Agree -------------------------------------- 18 per cent Agree ------------------------------------------------- 52 per cent Disagree ----------------------------------------------- 15 per cent Strongly Disagree ------------------------------------- 07 per cent Do not know/ Cannot say ---------------------------- 08 per cent

60%
Strongly Agree

50%

Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Do not know/ Can not say

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Do not know/ Can not say 18% 52% 15% 7% 8%

INTERPRETATION: The above response gives an impression that the company puts greater emphasis on software than skilled manpower for inventory details management.

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10. Do you think that the software used by your company is according to the design and needs of the system? Yes -------------------------------------------------- 86 per cent No ---------------------------------------------------- 10 per cent Do not know/ Cannot say ------------------------- 04 per cent

90% 80%
Yes

70%
No

60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

Yes No Do not know/Can Not say 86% 10% 4%

Do not know/Can Not say

INTERPRETATION: The company appears to be using the software according to the system requirement and design and according to the customers needs.

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11. What is the prime challenge before your company with reheard to inventory management? Lack of trained professionals ------------------------------- 42 per cent Maintenance cost --------------------------------------------- 21 per cent Changing requirements of customers ------------------------- 27 per cent Other problems -------------------------------------------------- 06 per cent Do not know/ Cannot say ------------------------------------- 04 per cent

45%
Lack of trained professionls Maintenance cost Changing requirements of customers Other problems Do not know/ Can not say
Lack of trained professionls Maintenance cost Changing requirements of customers Other problems Do not know/ Can not say

40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

42% 21% 27% 6% 4%

INTERPRETATION: Lack of availability of trained professions coupled with maintenance cost and changing needs of the customers are perceived to be the inventory challenges before the company.

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12. What is the future of inventory management system in your company? Will continue as a successful mechanism --------------------- 43 per cent May change according to time ----------------------------------- 33 per cent Shall collapse ------------------------------------------------------- 12 per cent Do not know/ Cannot say ----------------------------------------- 12 per cent

45% 40%
Will continue as a successful mechanism

35% 30%

May change accoeding to 25% time Shall collapse Do not know/ Can not say

20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

Will continue as a successful mechanism May change accoeding to time Shall collapse Do not know/ Can not say

43% 33% 12% 12%

INTERPRETATION: The future of inventory management system at Liberty Shoes Pvt L td appear to pretty good, going by the response of our study.

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CHAPTER 10: SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDIAN FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY 1. In India as most of the population is under low-income group, they wear unbranded or local brand shoes. So the company which can capture this income group especially living in villages and small towns will be the winner. 2. As the exclusive showroom play an important role in making and marking the image of company. So there should be policy for exclusive showroom. 3. Quality control operations should be modernized effectively as people are more educated and give more preference to quality. 4. Television has become the most effective mode of advertising. New trend of naming programs before the actual name of programs give more insertion in the minds of people as there was performance on Zee T.V called LIBERTY PUBLIC DEMAND. 5. There should be some special brands, which should be available only in exclusive showrooms to attract the crowd there. 6. There should be no bargain with the quality of the product. 7. Showroom owners tend to heavily tend to heavily depend on the brand image rather than theyre own skills and knowledge regarding product. So the big companies should try to internationalize their products and image and should give a psychological feeling of being a universal brand. 8. Regular meeting should be organized by the companies to educate the showroom owners regarding new innovation, their features as well as new policies. 9. Claim policy regarding replacement etc. should be clearly made by the company and followed in spirit of the world.

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10.1 STEPS TO BE TAKEN BY LIBERTY

1. Most of customers felt Liberty as a premium product company (which is true to much extent), which is out of reach of common man. It is suggested that an economical range of footwear should also be introduced to capture the low-income group people who account for most of the population in villages & small towns. 2. Companies should control, review and improve their discount policy so as to improve companys image. 3. New designs and colours should be introduced in Ladies section, as ladies every time demand something new. 4. More attention should be paid to customers complaints and efforts should be made to remove them. 5. The placement of defected pairs should be paid more attention so as to remove dissatisfaction among the exclusive showroom owners. 6. A Company person should regularly visit exclusive showrooms and listen to the problems and find solution to them as is done by Bata Company. 7. Some special planning on appointment of dealers should be there to avoid the complications. 8. Trough inspection of stock should be done to avoid mixing of inferior quality stock with fresh stock, which is send to dealers. 9. The company should allow at the most two exclusive showrooms in one city. That too should be at least 23 K.M apart to attract customers from all the localities.

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CHAPTER 11:

LIMITATIONS

Although every effort have been made to collect the relevant information through the source available, still some relevant information could not be gathered.

1. The time duration could not provide ample opportunity to study every detail of management in the company. 2. There are restrictions not to visit some specific areas. 3. The concerned executives were having very busy schedule. 4. The company on account of confidential reports has not disclosed some figures 5. Estimates are based upon predictions.

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CHAPTER 12:

CONCLUSION
Inventory is a quantity or store of goods that is held for some purpose or use (the term may also be used as a verb, meaning to take inventory or to count all goods held in inventory). Inaccurate inventory counts can cost you sales and delay shipments past the promise date. Out-of stock items as well as overstocked items in inventory can be devastating to your business. Additionally, an overstated or understated inventory valuation can result in incorrectly reported assets within your financial statements. Inventory Management offers comprehensive reporting capabilities to keep you on top of inventory status. Centralized inventory management consolidates inventory information by tracking lot numbers, on-hand levels and expiration dates, making the re-ordering process more efficient. It also enables simultaneous tracking and documenting supplies during studies to reduce redundant data entry and increase workflow efficiency. The biggest challenge Liberty Shoes Ltd had to deal with was managing simultaneous implementation across global locations. While the company put together a competent internal team, they realized that not many members had firsthand experience working at these locations nor did they have an understanding of the local systems in place. Liberty Shoes Ltd looked for a solution that was universal yet locally adaptable. They evaluated a few options before deciding on SAP Business One. Liberty Shoes Ltd felt that SAP provided them the much needed adaptability and flexibility. SAP also inherently possessed control and check features for management control which was important for Liberty Shoes Ltd, considering their widespread offices and future global expansion plans. Also, SAP was web-enabled, had the necessary reporting capabilities and had local product support at all the locations considered for implementation.

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WHAT CONTRIBUTION WOULD THE PROJECT MAKE ?

At the feasibility stage it is desirable that two or three different configurations will be pursued that satisfy the key technical requirements but which represent different levels of ambitions and cost. Investigation of these technical alternatives can be aided by approaching a range of suppliers for preliminary discussions. Out of all types of feasibility, technical feasibility generally is the most difficult to determine. It may be humbly submitted that shall be useful for further study as well as for the related industry for understanding an effective inventory management system.

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CHAPTER 13: REFERENCES SECTION 13.1 Literature

Ballou, R. H. (2002). Business Logistics Management (4th ed.). London: PrenticeHall Bowersox, D. J., Closs, D. J., Cooper, M. B. (2002). Supply Chain Logistics Management. NY: McGrawHill Crotty, M. (1998) The Foundations of Social Research: Meaning and Perspective in the Research Process. London: Sage Publications. 4 Douglas M. Lambert, The Development of an Inventory Costing Methodology: A study of the Costs Associated with Holding Inventory (Chicago: National Council of Physical Distribution Management, 1976) Hill T., 2005. Operations management, 2nd. Edition. US, NY, New York. Lambert, D.M., Stock, J.R., Ellram, L.M. (1998). Fundamentals of Logistics Management. NY: McGrawHill Nijkamp P. and Delft A., 1977. Multicriteria analysis and regional decisionmaking. Germany, Leiden: Martinus Nijhoff Social Science Division.

Vollmann, T.E., Whybark, D.C and Berry, W.L. (2005) Manufacturing Planning and Control System, 5th Edition (2005). Boston: McGrawHill

Yin, R.,K., 2003, Case study research: design and methods, SAGE Publications, California.

Zipkin, P., 2000. Foundations of Inventory Management. McGrawHill

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13.2 Articles
Chien, T.W., Balakrishnan, A., Wong, R.T., 1989. An integrated inventory allocation and vehicle routing problem. Transportation Science 23, 6776. Erlenkotter D. (1989). An Early Classic Misplaced: Ford W. Harriss Economic Order Quantity Model of 1915 (Management Science vol. 35, No. 7, pp. 898900).US, New York, New York: JSTOR.

Federgruen, A., Zipkin, P., 1984b. Computational issues in a infinite horizon multiechelon inventory model. Operations Research 32 (4), 818836. Jaillet, P., Huang, L., Bard, J.F., Dror, M., 1997. A rolling horizon framework for the inventory routing problem. Technical Report, The University of Texas at Austin,Austin, TX. Lee, H., Padmanabhan, P., Whang, S., 1997. Information distortion in a supply chain:the bullwhip effect. Management Science 43 (4), 546558. Warburton, R.D.H., 2004b. An exact analytical solution to the production inventory problem. International Journal of Production Economics 92, 91 96. Veinott, A.F., 1966. The status of mathematical inventory theory. Management Science 12 (11), 745777.

Internet www.libertygroup.com www.libertyshoes.com www.inventoryops.com www.inflowinventory.com www.answer.com

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13.3 Books

Essentials of Inventory Management by Max Muller Principles of Inventory and Materials Management- Richard J. Tersine Financial Management : I.M.Panday. Advanced Accountancy by S N Maheshwari , S K Maheshwari
Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd.

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13.4 ANNEXURE LIBERTY

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st MARCH,2009

PARTICULARS FUNDS EMPLOYED Shareholder's Funds Share Capital Reserves and Surplus Loan Funds Secured Loans Unsecured Loans Deferred Tax Deferred Tax Laibility 7,62,83,137 1,61,15,10,286 APPLICATIONS OF FUNDS Fixed Assets Gross Block Less: Depreciation Net Block Add: Capital Work in Progress Investments CURRENT ASSETS,LOANS AND ADVANCES Inventories Sundry Debtors Cash and Bank Balance 53,64,96,035 48,33,85,817 2,94,45,561 79,70,30,417 31,21,63,209 48,48,67,208 91,82,688 49,40,49,896 6,42,62,581 48,81,18,223 23,03,68,701 71,84,86,924 17,04,00,000 64,63,40,225 81,67,40,225

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Loans and Advances

30,01,48,434 1,34,94,75,847

Less: Current Liabilities Provisions Net Current Assets

22,26,20,721 7,36,57,317 1,05,31,97,809 1,61,15,10,286

PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the year ended 31st March, 2009 (Amount in Rs.) PARTICULARS

INCOME SALES less: Excise Duty 2,21,11,97,993 16,23,68,219 2,04,88,29,774 Other Income Increase/ (Decrease) in Stocks EXPENDITURE Raw Material Consumed and Finished Goods Purchased Manufacturing Expenses Payments and Benefits to Employees Administration, Selling and Miscellaneous Expenses Interest & Financial Charges Excise Duty 96,67,26,712 19,95,13,409 19,91,55,747 43,20,32,918 4,74,18,093 15,12,462 1,11,11,202 6,49,73,637 2,12,49,14,613

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Depreciation Profit before tax Provision for Taxation Current Tax Fringe Benefit Tax Deferred Tax Profit before tax add/(less): Taxation adjustments of previous years(net) Earlier year adjustment Net Profit for the year Add: Opening balance Net Profit available for appropriations APPROPRIATIONS Tranfer to General Reserve Interim Dividend Tax on Dividend Balance carried over to Balance Sheet Earning Per Share of Rs.10/- each

3,99,98,538

1,88,63,57,879 23,85,56,734

4,88,26,320 35,05,000 12,96,900 18,49,28,514 42,01,294 54,964 18,91,84,772 1,69,31,283 20,61,16,055

6,00,00,000 2,53,50,000 35,55,338 11,72,10,717 12.88

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QUESTIONNAIRE

Are you aware about Inventory Management System? Yes No Do not know/ Cannot say

Do you know that your company has an inventory management system? Yes No Do not know/ Cannot say

Do you agree that there should be an inventory management system in place in any organisation / company? Agree Disagree Do not know/ Cannot say

For what reasons do you feel that there should be an inventory management system? To smoothen operational requirement To save time To maintain accountability and transparency Other reasons Do not know/ Cannot say

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Do you agree that the inventory management system in your company has fulfilled the needs for which it was evolved? Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Do not know/ Cannot say

What according to you is the major benefiit of going for an inventory management system by your company? It has made storage and retrieval of material easier Improved Sales Effectiveness Reduced Operational Cost Other Benifits Do not know/ Cannot say

Do you have skiled professionals in your company for inventory management? Yes No Do not know/ Cannot say

8. What category of professionls are managing your company inventory? Skilled and trained Only skilled but not trained Non skilled but trained professionals Non skilled and non trained professionals Others

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9. Do you agree that your company gives more emphasis on software than skilled manpower with regard to inventory management? Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Do not know/ Cannot say 10. Do you think that the software used by your company is according to the design and needs of the system? Yes No Do not know/ Cannot say 11. What is the prime challenge before your company with rehard to inventory management? Lack of trained professionals Maintenance cost Changing requirements of customers Other problems Do not know/ Cannot say 12. What is the future of inventory management system in your company? Will continue as a successful mechanism May change according to time Shall collapse Do not know/ Cannot say

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