In supply business, the duties of a supply chain manager are to work with manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, retailers and customers. The sale of goods and the services for delivery are managed by them. The supply chain managers must be well acknowledged about the market, and they must have a keen decision making capability so that they can accomplish their goals. The managers are expected to have knowledge about procurement; quality, service, and project management; production planning; transportation and inventory control. The supply chain managers must be able to counter any day to day changes and apply strategies to overcome the problems. Keeping these aspects in consideration, this article aims to analyze the case of the Realco’s Breadmaker production and Toyota.
The Realco Breadmaster
The textbook Introduction to Operations and Supply Chain Management by Cecil Bozarth and Robert Hanfield, the company Realco which was founded by Mr. Johanny Chang is used as an example in supply chain management. The company got success in a two years period of its production primarily due to its strategies and competitive pricing. The owner is satisfied with the growth of the company, but he has concerns with regards to company’s inventory and rudimentary production. The respond to questions are given below:
Q.1) Create a master production schedule for the Breadmaker in the case that considers production levels, demand for the product, and the best business strategy for the situation presented.
The Master Production Schedule (MPS) is the main thing in controlling the product availability in the Supply Chain. This is explained by Max Mueller in Essentials of Inventory Management that the Master Production Schedule tells that what, when and in what quantities the product has to be prepared. The MPS includes short and long time plans (Mueller, 2011). Besides these that what, when and in how much quantity a product is prepared, the MPS also tells about the requirement of the materials and other planned activities. This is possible as the company calculates the inventory and forecasted sales of a specific item and the company can then adjust the customer demand accordingly. The evaluation can be difficult in companies where there are multiple products and the probability of errors increase.
Q.2) Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of Jack’s approach, considering how master scheduling can improve the process, ad considering the organizational changes needed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the process.
The orders of the Realco Company to the market and hence to the customers have long been accomplished through Jack’s approach. But this success unfortunately brings up a risk of insufficient assets and in potential excess inventory. Increase in company account holding cost is a conversion of excess account however the customers have to be patient as they have to wait for the production to fulfill the obligations in insufficient assets. If the Realco Company is not promising and does not deliver the products within due time and date then the customers can annul the contract and join some other business. Realco contract includes delivery of product within three weeks which tells that the company must manufacture the products twice before delivering each order. Instead of circumstances with high variance in demand, the delivery in time of Realco has shown to be highly effective and it is mentioned very less, only where there was lack of assets that the orders are not delivered in time. Maryland McClelland has written an article in Decisions Sciences about the MPS importance in business. She has pointed out that Master Production Schedule (MPS) is a key part of manufacturing information system in a company (McClelland, 1988). She also said that by following the knowledge of the MPS while working on the delivery dates the firm can provide a good customer service and get a positive response in return. Besides this, while the company is designing the customer’s orders and forecasting the product that has to be manufactured, they should consider to draft Master Production Schedule (MPS) so that they can integrate the orders properly. The process would also be improved by formal MPS by controlling production to fulfill the expected demands. Moreover, a keenly developed MPS will precisely determine the product lead time which will in the contract for future delivery of the goods.
Q.3) Examine the impact of refusing a customer’s order because of lack of supply of the product vs. accepting the order and failing to deliver.
Trustworthiness and reputation are the two principle features which are extremely important in the establishment and development of a business. A scheduling program and strategies control the process of manufacturing of goods without considering the demands of the customers. The scheduling program tells exactly the amount of product available for sale. This is helpful as it shows clearly how much product is available and then the company can in turn place the order of delivery accordingly. The company can refuse to deliver a product is their production does not match the time of requirement of the order. Hence the customers and the retailers can rely on the promise the company makes and never result in disappointment, maintaining their reputation.
A business owner and the workers put tireless efforts in the establishment of a business; it takes just a second or a minor neglect to loose respect, but it takes many years to earn it. If an organization is unable to fulfill the time at which the delivery of goods is set as per the contract, the company loses the trust and reputation which has been previously established resulting in negative effects on the whole organization. Another thing contributing to negative impact is on the customer’s response because of the failure to deliver the product or the product which is marketed. There is literally nothing on this universe about which a person can be 100% sure or remains in equilibrium forever. In business by an effective application of MPS, the company is guided to run as smoothly as possible. MPS guides the company in various aspects like the production of goods, planning the strategies, purchasing of raw materials, and maximum management information which is required to plot and manage the manufacturing operations successfully.
Q.4) Describe the impact on average inventory levels and production if Realco produces 20,000 breadmakers every week, rather than 40,000 every other week.
Inventory is the material or the goods that the company manufactures and sells. The companies depend largely on this level while selling the goods. There is a possibility that if the inventory level is decreased to very low levels then the company may produce fewer products and hence result in decreased sale. However, vice versa is possible; if the company produces enormous amounts of products then the company will have excess goods which may go waste as the demand is not according to the production (Cox and Blackstone, 2002).
Modifying the MPS to show an arranged production of 20,000 breadmasters per week as compared to 40,000 twice in a week changes the projected EI. Negative projected EI is shown by third, fifth and seventh week. According to the actual MPS, these figures are the forecasted ones for the demand of the customers for fourth till eight week which is considerably higher than the booked order. Whereas the weeks three till eight shows a negative balance of projected EI, on the commencement of week four, as the booked demands are much lower than projected demands the ATP quantities continues to rise. If booked demands are experienced by Mr. Chang as seen in weeks one through three, increase in bread master production and future projected demands to ensure enough assets are available to meet customer demands should be considered by the Realco Company.
Conclusion
A business works on the dealing they have with the retailers and customers in turn. It is thus very important for the owners to be very specific in supplying the products and they need to be promising in delivering the goods in the time according to the contract. In this way they can maintain the trust. The supply chain managers have to make sure that the reputation of the company is maintained by committing to orders according to the production rate.
Supply-Chain Challenges in Post-Earthquake Japan
In the year 2011, the month of March had dealt the huge Tohoku Earth shook & Tsunami crushed the upper east shoreline of Japan along with great intense characteristic debacle in Japan's advanced history. Exacerbating the test for Japanese legal authoritative, organizations, and groups were the subsequent pulverization at that time of a few atomic reactors in the locale which supplied power for residents & different industrial sectors. Not just was power distracted, yet a vast region was briefly cleared, making fast reviving of influenced commercial enterprises impossible. The impact of these catastrophes has been most importantly introduced by Japan’s auto developers, which shut a considerable lot of their Japanese gathering platinum for a few weeks right now their production network issues and effect on their different Tier suppliers. Japanese engine vehicle plants in different areas of the globe have likewise been influenced included offices claimed by Nissan, Toyota, Honda, & different makers in the Middle way & Southern area of USA. Auto developers, by differentiation, that are least influenced, in spite of the fact that they, as well, have made uncommon moves to enhance creation flowing, incorporating going to supply chain in Japan to support them re established, finding option hotspots for a few sections & chemical solutions. (Barger Jr, 2010)
The basic two advantages which Japanese auto industry enjoyed was the capability of producing in a high quality approach and also the capability of boosting the efficient way in the productivity supply procedure. The disadvantage or the loss which Japanese automakers had face was the earth quake and tsunami which destroyed the production level capability and strategic form of suppliers which turned out into a big disaster. The lacking of forecasted solutions and outcomes was also the big failure or disadvantage faced by the Japanese automakers at the very initial production level stage. (Canis, 2011)
Lean production can also be termed as Incline assembling or incline generation, regularly referred to just right now", "a creation rehearse that considers the consumption of assets for any objective different from the making of quality for the end client to be inefficient, and hence an objective for disposal. The working from the viewpoint of the client; who expends an item or administration considers as “worth" is characterized presently or procedure that a client would be eager to worthy pay. Incline or lean manufacturing is revolved around making high esteem with low work flow. (Canis, 2011)
Incline assembling is a bland procedure administration rationality got basically from the TPS- Toyota production system and recognized as "Incline" just in the late 90s.It is famous for its emphasis on decrease of the first Toyota -7 squanders so as to enhance general client esteem.
Incline assembling is regularly seems presently refined adaptation of before proficiency endeavors, expanding upon the work of prior pioneers, for example, Ford/Taylor, and gaining from their mix-ups. Incline is the situated of "devices" that help with the ID and consistent disposal of waste material. At this very moment dispensed with, qualitative approach enhances while generation time and expense are diminished. There is another way to deal with Lean or incline Manufacturing, advanced by Toyota, which deals with the center as is after enhancing the "stream" or feasibility of working, subsequently relentlessly disposing of unevenness from the framework and not varies upon wasteful diminishment as such. Procedures to enhance stream incorporate generation measuring which draw creation. (Chopra, 2004)
These two Toyota production system & Lean might be considered as the presently associated arrangement of conceivably contending standards whose objective is expense decrease by the disposal of waste. These standards cover:
Pull preparing, - easiness,
Qualitative approach/ initially - Effective development,
Less wastage- creation stream and loading measurement,
Continuous change, - controllability visually
Developing & keeping up a long haul association with supply chain process, (Chopra, 2004)
The Toyota production system has two column ideas: JIT- just in time or "stream", & "autorotation”. Incline execution is subsequently centered around enhancing the appropriate matters to the opportune spot at the perfect time in the right amount to accomplish impeccable work process, on the other hand, minimize the waste & being adaptable prevails ready to change. Incline expects to keep the work sufficiently straightforward to comprehend, implement & oversee. To accomplish the highlighted three objectives without a moment's delay there is a conviction conducted by few Toyota's coaching procedure, considers as the most ideal approaches to encourage Lean concocting and down the authoritative structure. This particular procedure attempted by Toyota right now its suppliers enhance their own generation. (Gu, 2010)
The recommendation for the best supply chain plan of Toyota could be the Reorganization of the arrangement of main factors that will support to change your conventional inventory network into an interest driven worth system. The Identification which is getting to be request driven from a change is administration venture, not a task. It obliges clear vision and objectives and a meaning of what speaks to "great" which transitioned from obliged, brief time skyline interest signs to un constraining factor, exceeded time dimension skyline interest signs passed on to all supply organize partners. Assemble abilities for deft interpretation of interest into a gainful supply reaction in view of client duties, supply imperatives for example parts deficiencies, amplified associated timely dimensions and accurate best esteem exchange offs. Evaluation of the interest driven reaction by planning separated supply chains in light of division of the interest, supply and item cycles can also help Toyota to re design effective supply chain plan. Put resources into joint effort with key accomplices to make joint quality. Empower forms that connect with TPS (Toyota production system) item advancement and supplier development groups, bringing about items adjusted to request. (Gu, 2010)
Global techniques and commodities have been compelling current era organizations to center on price cutting & development. These are the methods to influence store network operational effectiveness and economical dimension of scale. Yet, a level increasing is to incorporate store network procedure with business sector strategies and utilize store network activities as an impetus for business change and innovative ideas. At this very moment, production network procedure is more out comes arranged and focused on the supplier management administration concentrates on client recognition and valuable share authoritative. In Toyota’s perspective and analytical study shows that people have seen the fail attempt of Toyota in its supply chain operations mostly in sourced security criteria, extremely influenced piece of the overall industry, the most top listed, brand esteem and business cope. On the other way, the more feasible production network could be supported to make much more noteworthy client’s fulfillment of need &wants and share authoritative esteem for Toyota. Secure store network is basic in item quality affirmation and battling counterfeit, for which definitive and untied item trait administration speaks to a critical need. Just for a longer time period, item property administration is viewed as a B2B termed as business to business strategy. Exchanging accomplices of a production network assemble and offer item data spreader on their own. Customers are essentially avoided from getting to such data. (Kasture, 2015)
On the other hand, normally, item data gave to the end purchasers are adopted by singular retailers. For example, methodology is hetero, lapse inclined, wrong, no completion, & it enhances the customer confront. This leads towards a hole for definitive product attribute administration that can give uniformity, approval, convenience & complete item information to the last consumptions. Along little new administration, purchasers will assume a dynamic part in observing &focusing to the security of the production network. With a portable standardized tag scanner or versatile RFID reader close by, buyers will turn into a lively constrain in fighting fake, detecting wrong status and keeping down unlawful exchange. They would be beneficial from a fresh ability enhance by securing their legal terms to purchase certifiable items with right status and through legitimate connections and transformations. Furthermore, a range of critical portable business applications will be made conceivable, for example, trustful item traits recovery, and trait based item search and examination, item appraising and commitments. Brands proprietors and other important individuals from the inventory network will benefit from the fresh offerings as well. They would analyze phenomenal conceivable outcomes, for example, direct client confronting nudge product promoting like an item suggestion, individuality in coupon advancement, also the direction in client input on highlight demand and deformity reporting. The majority of this will permit them to build game changers with shorter client cooperation time cycle, more towards delicate to client demand variety, focused on & efficient item outline, responsive item review, and more effective in an industrial sector of automotive motors. (Kasture, 2015)
References
Barger Jr, R. (2010). Supply Chain Strategy for Industrial Manufacturers. Gartner. Retrieved 3 July 2015, from https://www.gartner.com/doc/1430728/supply-chain-strategy-industrial-manufacturers
Canis, B. (2011). The Motor Vehicle Supply Chain: Effects of the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami (p. Single). Retrieved from https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41831.pdf
Chopra, S. (2004). Managing Risk to Avoid Supply-Chain Breakdown. MITSloan. Retrieved 3 July 2015, from http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/managing-risk-to-avoid-supplychain-breakdown/
Cox, J. F., & Blackstone J. H., eds. (2002). APICS Dictionary (10th Ed).Falls Church, VA: APICS.
Gu, X. (2010). Toyota Recalls:Revealing the Value of Secure Supply Chain (p. Single). Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/281982/Toyota_Recalls_Revealing_the_Value_of_Secure_Supply_Chain
Kasture, S. (2015). Toyota Production System & Lean Manufacturing (1st ed., pp. 2-3). Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aY5cl9SuOtdVMEG4X04fyLYKLqpoZZPp0kr4Ifn5aUU/edit?pli=1#slide=id.i0
McClelland, M.,(1988). Decision Science, Order Processing and the Master Production Schedule, Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com.proxy library.ashford.edu/docview/198082818/13C413FFC1B6A2AE9CA/3?accoun tid=32521
Muller, M,.(2011) Essentials of Inventory Management (2nd Edition). Retrieved from: http://site.ebrary.com/lib/ashford/Doc?id=10461073&ppg=155
