Controlling inventory is one of Wheeled Coach’s toughest problems.Operating according to a strategy of mass customizationand responsiveness, management knows that success is dependenton tight inventory control. Anything else results in an inabilityto deliver promptly, chaos on the assembly line, and a hugeinventory investment. Wheeled Coach finds that almost 50% ofthe cost of every ambulance it manufactures is purchased materials.A large proportion of that 50% is in chassis (purchased fromFord), aluminum (from Reynolds Metal), and plywood usedfor flooring and cabinetry construction (from local suppliers).Wheeled Coach tracks these A inventory items quite carefully,maintaining tight security/control and ordering carefully so as tomaximize quantity discounts while minimizing on-hand stock.Because of long lead times and scheduling needs at Reynolds,aluminum must actually be ordered as much as 8 months inadvance.   In a crowded ambulance industry in which it is the only giant, its45 competitors don’t have the purchasing power to draw the samediscounts as Wheeled Coach. But this competitive cost advantagecannot be taken lightly, according to President Bob Collins. “Cyclecounting in our stockrooms is critical. No part can leave the lockedstockrooms without appearing on a bill of materials.”   Accurate bills of material (BOM) are a requirement if productsare going to be built on time. Additionally, because of thecustom nature of each vehicle, most orders are won only after abidding process. Accurate BOMs are critical to cost estimationand the resulting bid. For these reasons, Collins was emphaticthat Wheeled Coach maintain outstanding inventory control.   Enlist direct and indirect demands given in the scenario. Identify the current inventory counting practice and its importance to Wheeled Coach’s business. Implement ABC inventory control system. Develop ABC matrix to support your answer. If you were the inventory control manager, what steps would you recommend for inventory record accuracy? Your answer must analyze the drawback in prevailing system.

Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
6th Edition
ISBN:9781285869681
Author:Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Publisher:Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. Patterson
Chapter16: Lean Supply Chain Management
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 10DQ: The chapter presented various approaches for the control of inventory investment. Discuss three...
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Controlling inventory is one of Wheeled Coach’s toughest problems.Operating according to a strategy of mass customizationand responsiveness, management knows that success is dependenton tight inventory control. Anything else results in an inabilityto deliver promptly, chaos on the assembly line, and a hugeinventory investment. Wheeled Coach finds that almost 50% ofthe cost of every ambulance it manufactures is purchased materials.A large proportion of that 50% is in chassis (purchased fromFord), aluminum (from Reynolds Metal), and plywood usedfor flooring and cabinetry construction (from local suppliers).Wheeled Coach tracks these A inventory items quite carefully,maintaining tight security/control and ordering carefully so as tomaximize quantity discounts while minimizing on-hand stock.Because of long lead times and scheduling needs at Reynolds,aluminum must actually be ordered as much as 8 months inadvance.

 

In a crowded ambulance industry in which it is the only giant, its45 competitors don’t have the purchasing power to draw the samediscounts as Wheeled Coach. But this competitive cost advantagecannot be taken lightly, according to President Bob Collins. “Cyclecounting in our stockrooms is critical. No part can leave the lockedstockrooms without appearing on a bill of materials.”

 

Accurate bills of material (BOM) are a requirement if productsare going to be built on time. Additionally, because of thecustom nature of each vehicle, most orders are won only after abidding process. Accurate BOMs are critical to cost estimationand the resulting bid. For these reasons, Collins was emphaticthat Wheeled Coach maintain outstanding inventory control.

 

  • Enlist direct and indirect demands given in the scenario.
  • Identify the current inventory counting practice and its importance to Wheeled Coach’s business.
  • Implement ABC inventory control system. Develop ABC matrix to support your answer.
  • If you were the inventory control manager, what steps would you recommend for inventory record accuracy? Your answer must analyze the drawback in prevailing system.
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