MISUMI Group Inc. introduced its indirect-material inventory management outsourcing service “MISUMI floow” at Ezaki Kogyo’s Tochigi Plant, centralizing the inventory management and supply of items such as gloves, tape and wiping cloths. The aim is to curb stockouts and excess inventory and improve procurement efficiency.
MISUMI Group Inc. announced that it had introduced its indirect-material total cost reduction service “MISUMI floow” at Ezaki Kogyo’s Tochigi Plant. The service covers inventory management and supply of indirect materials used on manufacturing lines, including gloves, tape, wiping cloths and stretch film, with the aim of curbing stockouts and excess inventory and improving procurement efficiency.
Previously, Ezaki Kogyo’s Tochigi Plant visually checked inventory on site and placed orders by fax. Administrative staff then prepared the purchase order, obtained approval and delivered it to the purchasing department, a process that could take half a day. MISUMI floow visualizes details by person registering items issued and monthly usage, and uses a system under which only items issued are billed. Frequently used consumables are delivered to vending machines within the plant, with the products inside the vending machines managed by MISUMI.
Following the introduction, MISUMI’s inventory management reduced the workload involved in placing orders and checking inventory, while enabling supply to continue when items such as gloves were in short supply. MISUMI also supported procurement of parts cleaner, which was in short supply at home-improvement stores and online retailers, while monitoring demand trends.
The initiative aims to establish an efficient supply system for indirect materials by visualizing inventory and monitoring demand trends. Future updates are expected to focus on detailed operating data and the expansion of the scope of application.