Inventory management is a critical factor in the success of any business. A well-managed inventory ensures that all orders are delivered on time, in the correct quantities, and at the appropriate quality level to customers while also helping to reduce costs and increase profits. The surface finishing industry is complex and requires a great deal of attention to detail which can be very challenging to manually control.
With the right inventory management system in place, you can ensure that there is always enough stock on hand to meet customer demands. Having a system in place also means that you can more easily monitor stock levels, so you know what needs to be ordered, when, and in what quantities.
Three Reasons Inventory Management Matters in Surface Finishing
1. Cost Control
Inventory management helps to reduce costs and improve profits. By having an accurate inventory system in place, you can more easily manage the cost of goods produced. Knowing when and in what quantities to order parts and materials can help to reduce costs and improve profits.
2. Eliminate Production Delays & Shorten Lead Times
Ensure that parts, materials, and products are delivered and completed on time. This is especially important in the surface finishing industry, where customers expect their orders to be delivered on time and in the right condition. Having a system in place to track inventory helps to ensure that orders are completed and delivered on time, helping to keep customers happy and maintaining good relationships with them.
3. Improve Customer Service
In the surface finishing industry, customer service is key. Having an accurate inventory system in place helps to ensure that customers receive their orders on time and in the right condition. This helps to build customer trust and loyalty based on continuously meeting customer expectations, which is essential for long-term success.
Overall, inventory management is essential because it helps to reduce costs and improve profits, ensures that orders are delivered on time and in the right condition, and helps to improve customer service. Having an accurate system in place is the key to success in this industry.
Job Shop Inventory Management
The most productive, efficient, and profitable job shops leverage automation and technology to manage inventory. A cloud-based solution can allow multiple users to check inventory and make changes in real time without version control issues in a paper document or an Excel spreadsheet.
Inventory, as used in Steelhead, includes all of the supplies and materials on hand meant for the manufacturing of products. This inventory management system was designed specifically for surface finishing job shops, and includes items like paint, powder, and tape that are applied to parts and consumed during production. In fact, you can easily create “recipes” or "treatments" based on colors or chemicals and connect them to a work order. This allows you to manage inventory in real time based on the work orders in production!
To learn more about Steelhead's inventory management functionality, book a demo with us!