Thomas Semlinger, PCI Europe about the Lean Production Initiative at PCI – a BASF company
"To meet our challenging goals we need a systematic and scientific approach for sustainable improvement of our processes. Lean SCM is developing and providing the roadmap."
Thomas Semlinger, Head of Production Construction Chemicals Europe (E-EBE), PCI Europe
Meeting a 24-hour delivery promise and tightening inventory targets with increasing product complexity are key challenges for PCI's supply chain management (SCM) and production planning. Applying a Rhythm Wheel concept to one of their production units clearly yielded superior performance. Due to higher responsiveness in production, their reduced stock-outs during peak season by 80% while simultaneously achieving tangible inventory reductions. Key elements of the concept are optimization of the production sequence and reduced campaign size. Replenishment is scheduled by pull signals based on predefined inventory levels. PCI will be rolling out this improved approach to production changeovers based on lean manufacturing at other production units as well.
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