JIT – OM in the News

The USPS Wants to Deliver its Operations Strategy

The USPS continues its ambitious transformation.

Although the first two years of the ten-year transformation plan have produced mixed results, the Postmaster General wants to forge ahead with the pursuit of excellence in quality, cost, delivery, and flexibility. Because revenues from mail delivery continue to decline, the USPS is targeting shippers, a bold move for a late entrant in the package delivery business. This strategy requires a complete overhaul of the organization. Modernization and streamlining of services and […]

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2023-06-19T21:16:03+00:00June 21, 2023|Tags: automation, bottleneck, carbon footprint, competitivness, delivery, JIT, logistics, process management, productivity, service quality, strategy, supply chain management, sustainability|

The Chronic Pain of Drug Shortages

Despite repeated warnings that critical drugs have been and will remain in short supply, corrective action has been painfully elusive.

A confluence of factors contribute to the persistence of the problem. These factors have been identified multiple times over the years, but addressing them and their effects on patients’ health requires overall system changes that call for full congressional and business cooperation. The current blog does not cover the policy changes needed for improvement; they are beyond its scope. However, it […]

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2023-04-03T19:59:23+00:00April 5, 2023|Tags: bullwhip effect, competitivness, continuous replenishment, flexible-manufacturing, inventory management, JIT, lead time, logistics, outsourcing, productivity, respsonsive supply chain design, safety stock, shortage, sourcing, strategic capacity management, supply chain management|

Arrival’s Van Microfactory Moving to North Carolina

Arrival, an electric vehicle startup with headquarters in the US and UK, has decided to move all of its Van production to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Instead of investing in mega production facilities, Arrival uses a microfactory model that installs assembly cells in existing facilities to build its all-electric vans. Arrival cited federal tax credit incentives, large market size, and better margins as factors in its decision to focus on the US market.

Video Spotlight:

Inside the Microfactory (Oct […]

By Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.|2022-11-13T07:18:35+00:00November 15, 2022|Tags: JIT, lean, location, location planning, near-shoring, offshoring|

Railroad Employees Demand Changes in Operations

A major railroad strike has just been averted.

Employees complain that efficiency gains have resulted in demanding schedules and policies that penalize them for taking needed time off. Over two centuries, the railroad industry has had to reinvent itself multiple times to remain relevant and competitive. Changes in demand, supply, and competition have forced the industry to adjust to new realities and seek new paths to profitability. However, when these paths anger both customers and employees, it is time to consider […]

By CMKaruppan|2022-09-29T16:16:50+00:00October 12, 2022|Tags: competitivness, JIT, job design, lean operations, logistics, productivity, transportation|