Analys av konsignationslager : inom tillverkande industri

Sammanfattning: In this composition, a study of consignment inventory on basis of the factors which are important for implementation and application of consignment inventory are made. Logistics chain from subcontractor to end customer is becoming more complex when the volume of items constantly increases to satisfy the needs of the market. From that perspective, companies had large inventories but today it is a lot of different solutions to streamline inventory management. One way that recently becomes increasingly common is to let the subcontractor fill up the customers stock using different approaches such as VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory). A further step in the evolution can be to make use of consignment inventory where the vendor owns the stock of the customer. Then the material will be the customer’s property when the need arises. In order to ascertain whether consignment stocks in general is a good solution, a study has been done to investigate which factors are relevant for the implementation and application of consignment inventory within the industry. To find out the importance of the application of consignment inventory have a literature study of relevant theory in the field been done and where also a case study as a research method has been developed. In the case study, a number of companies have been selected with a non probability sampling where a qualitative approach is used to collect data and information. The theory used is based on selected elements in several different areas of logistics. When the interface is many has the following main areas been affected: Supply Chain Management, Lean production, outsourcing, capital binding, Just In Time, synchronization, VMI and distribution. On the basis of these areas has created a model which is then used in the investigation of the various cases. In the study has three cases been examined of which only one case are working on consignment inventory, while a case using vendor managed inventory as well as to the third case has ambitious plans to implement a consignment inventory. Background to the choice of cases is to be able to discuss consignment inventory in general. The final result is based on a comparison between the theoretical and the empirical investigation. What is revealed by the survey is that combinations of several different factors determine if a consignment is applicable as the logistical goal mix points out. Relevant factors are that the agreements have a good reason, the information exchange works well, capital binding and possibilities to have inventory at the customers plant. Also physical factors such as distance, the products format and distribution is of importance.