Kanban Supply Systems

Our Direct-Line-Feed inventory management system is the modern cost effective method of supplying fasteners direct to the point-of-use. 

We assume responsibility for product sourcing, quality control, goods-receiving inspection, warehousing, scheduling, and delivery to point of use.  This reduces our customer’s costs:

1. Reduces customer’s handling costs.
2. Reduces customer’s administration cost.
3. Reduces customer’s cost of stock.
4. Reduces customer’s manpower costs.

The use of the latest computer-based stock control systems; incorporating bar coding and labelling, facilitates an accurate stock replenishment programme and maintains close control of the supply chain.  The stock control programme delivers a wide range of management analysis reports to support assessment of usage patterns.

McLean Buchanan & Wilson’s Kanban supply systems are simple and effective to operate.  The key to maintaining a steady flow of fastener parts to the point of use is stock availability.  In conjunction with our customer’s planning and production engineers we agree the quantities to be maintained at each work station based on the demands of production scheduling.  Our planning procedures arrange for follow-on stock to be held in our warehouses supported with forward ordering on our suppliers.

The essence of the MBW Kanban system is simplicity.  A basic two bin set-up actually provides a solution for most situations.  The system is based on placing two bins containing a specified quantity of fasteners at the point of use, one behind the other. The assembly operator starts to pick parts from the front bin, when the bin is empty it is removed and the second bin is moved forward and picking carries on.  The empty bin becomes the signal for replenishment and is placed at an agreed collection point for refilling; this can be done either on-site or returned to our warehouses.  This establishes a cycle which ensures constant stock availability.  Obviously there can be a number of variations on this theme and much depends on individual customer requirements.

Since no two manufacturing or assembly factories are totally identical our supply-chain systems are tailored to suit individual customer needs; call us to discuss designing a system for you.