A proper flow of activities in a firms’ supply chain is crucial for efficiency and customer satisfaction (Austin 2). A case study of the SJC Drums Company in USA (Metcalf 1). Core problem is lack of good assembly strategies in that production of a drum takes a very long time i.e. 6months. The effect being delay in order processing and thereby causing customers to look for alternative drum companies. Assembly takes a big percentage of the influence in the supply chain.
Inclusion of external assembly that is faster and relatively equal in terms of costs can be employed to help in this case. Mimicking the order of assembly that is efficient too has been found to yield positive results in other cases. Adoption of different materials of production that take up less time can also be researched and initiated.
SJC Drums are regarded as one of the best drums and highly recommended by well-known musicians who have the love for drums as a music tool. Reputable success in the aspect of durability and consistency in the production of beats. An SJC drum costs around $6000 which is quite a costly price, is making a relative gross margin of 45% which is impressive but incorporating the time take it is not (Metcalf 2). This is attributed to the materials of use and the labor force required.
SJC does not deliver its objective of catering for all the orders made because of the issues of poorly structured chains in business and mostly its assembly of drums. The firm can aim to outsource its production and incur the fee for the service while maintain the sale of the drums, it can copy a plan done in a more successful plan and incorporate it in its operation or can decide to sell its production to another willing company and take care of looking for sales.
My recommendation would be to research for newer and easier means of production. This will not only leave control and autonomy of the business but also give confidence to investors whose eyes are on innovation. Proper chronological flow of operations in assembly should take place to reduce the production periods.
Works Cited
Austin, Robert D. Bang & Olufsen: Design Driven Innovation. Portland: Harvard Business School, 2007.
Metcalf, Mitch. "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Tuesday Cable Originals(& Network Update). NewYork: ShowBuzzDaily, 2015.
