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Implementing kitting services can open the door to a vast range of benefits for warehouses and manufacturing facilities. Kitting — also referred to as bundling — is a process of combining finished goods or inventory items into individual stock keeping units (SKUs). There are two broad categories of kitting:

• Product kitting is where finished goods that make up a new product are bundled together.
• Material kitting explains when items used in the manufacturing process are bundled together. 

In either case, kitting can help streamline processes, simplify inventory management, optimize floor production, and help your warehouse move closer toward lean manufacturing. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top efficiency gains our clients experience with our kitting services. 

Maximize Limited Warehouse Floor Space

No matter the size of your warehouse, one thing is for certain — space is at a premium. And when you implement Bossard’s kitting services in your lean manufacturing environment, saving space is one of the most prevalent benefits. By strategically moving component inventory, kitting allows you to dedicate more space to production. 

As a part of the kitting process, Bossard — a leading third-party logistics provider — takes responsibility for storing the manufacturer’s parts. This immediately allows more space for production, granting your workers more space and improving safety. Kitting also mitigates expensive manufacturing storage space that was previously necessary for storing different components. And when manufacturers save on storage space, they will refrain from utilizing unnecessary packaging and generating trash, which are each the antithesis to lean manufacturing. 

Improve Productivity with Kitting

Anytime parts are not kitted, assemblers will have to waste time searching through your inventory, request to pull parts, and then log their usage. Whether off-site or on-site, curated and pre-sorted kits can lead to time savings and reduced labor costs by ensuring the right parts are easily accessible when needed. When the kitting is combined with managed inventory, these two processes allow suppliers to make sure products are readily available to support daily production. More so, it allows suppliers to retain ownership of inventory until it is required. As a bonus, when items are shipped in a kit, they are less likely to experience order fulfillment errors.

Increase Volume and Improve Assembly Speed

Kitting allows parts and components to be bulk processed vs individually when every order arrives. And when manufacturers outsource this functionality, it will almost immediately equate to savings in money and time. While the outbound side of the inventory is where most inventory-based companies generate the most profit, it’s most likely the most labor-intensive. Kitting can lead to increased volume and faster assembly by ensuring parts are delivered to the point of use, which saves manufacturers time on the line. 

Contact Bossard for Expert Kitting Services

At Bossard, our experienced logistics and warehouse staff are equipped with state-of-the-art tools and unrivaled expertise to efficiently handle all of your warehouse C-part kitting and assembly needs. We offer decades of experience helping facilities unlock the countless benefits of kitting. And when you partner with Bossard, we will work to unlock all of the benefits that kitting services can offer your facility. 

Contact Bossard today for expert kitting services. 

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Your Kanban system may have worked adequately so far. However, it does involve constant attention from your suppliers, shippers, and warehouse staff so that products enter and leave your warehouse in a timely manner. You also have to juggle inventory levels and fulfillment requests to ensure that you process orders promptly and with the correct quantities.

How does your current Kanban system stack up when challenged with unforeseen events?  When headlines forecast supply chain interruption or material shortages, do you have the usage data on hand to ensure your assembly line won’t be stopped in the days ahead?  Despite your vigilance, you’re sometimes caught unprepared when stock levels don’t match what’s on record or you don’t have enough information to predict what to stockpile when JIT replenishment is not viable anymore. This can cause you to delay shipments as your staff scrounge for the needed products.  Bossard helps you avoid these pitfalls by implementing Smart Factory Logistics to automate your B- and C-parts management and providing real-time data from your work cells and supermarket using the Internet of Things.

Starting with Systems

We can start the transformation of your facility with these productivity boosts:

·         Bossard Code works with your existing logistics system by putting barcodes or QR codes on your existing bins and containers. When you need to reorder, you can scan the code through the ARIMS Mobile App on your smartphone and place a replenishment order. Real-time order status appears on the app.

·         SmartCard puts RFID cards to work with your existing logistical systems. When a product is out of stock, you throw the RFID card into an electronic mailbox, which triggers a reorder.

·         SmartBin uses a container that is attached to a weight sensor. When the stock level falls below a specified weight, the SmartBin sends a replenishment order automatically.

·         SmartLabel Cloud consists of the modular SmartLabel, which sits on any of your bins and containers. The easy-to-read e-paper display shows all relevant product information, such as the name and ID number. When the quantity runs low, push a button to place an order. The display then shows the delivery date, order quantity, and order status, which are updated in real-time.

·         SmartBin Cloud integrates the two previous technologies into one encompassing system. The SmartBin automates ordering when the weight sensor detects that the stock level has fallen. The SmartLabel, which is attached to the bin, displays all relevant product and ordering information.

·         SmartLocker secures your high-value items in an intelligent cabinet. It allows access only if you’re authorized by an RFID card. It automatically transmits all inventory and ordering information to the ARIMS dashboard.

Putting It Together

The ARIMS platform streamlines your supplier base by integrating all your suppliers.  It helps you coordinate both the material and information flow from a single point of contact. You benefit from a more efficient workflow, full transparency, and improved predictability. Make better decisions about your supply chain by analyzing big data in real-time.

Access your data on the go.  Get real-time data anywhere with the ARIMS Mobile app on tablet or smartphone. Manage your inventory, check orders, and analyze intelligent analytics on the factory floor, in the warehouse, or wherever else you are.

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