The Lean improvement method distinguishes eight waste categories. One of these is 'inventory'. Too much stock is not good, but neither is too little. After all, having stock also provides the safe feeling of availability in times of uncertain internal planning and external factors that cannot be directly influenced. Because optimising availability both in one's own company and in the supply chain is often not the core competence of our customers, itsme can take over the care of such optimisation, for example through the import and management of so-called Vendor Managed Inventory systems. But, how do you know whether VMI is indeed the right solution? Ralph van Aartsen can answer that crucial question - using five questions. Here, in advance, are his answers to our questions on VMI.

Optimising internal logistics is often a challenge for panel builders, from grab stock management to getting a grip on delivery times. Especially when production is spread across multiple sites, like at Elektro Internationaal (EI) in Woerden. In 2016, the company already took a big step, together with itsme Connected Business, at their batch production site. This was related to the introduction of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) in the form of a 2BIN system. In the near future, EI expects to start the construction of new premises, whereby all activities will be brought under one roof. At that point, the logistics for the entire production will also be optimised.

Panel builder PM Elektro experienced significant growth, moved to larger premises and immediately optimised internal material logistics. Supplier itsme conducted a cost-benefit analysis for this purpose and implemented a 2BIN system; it has recently started managing the grab stock in PM Elektro's warehouse. For the lighting on the new shop floor, itsme also provided consultancy and installation services. "Wow, it’s so bright in here!" is what people say when they enter the workshop.

For years, itsme has supplied signal cables to Krohne Altometer, producer of flow meters for the process industry, among other things. Cut to size and delivered on time, although the latter is a challenge these days due to delivery problems in global supply chains. "In itsme we have a good party, which thinks along and helps where it can. Just a very reliable supplier, who says what they do and does what they say."

eReM provided complete electrical installation for new shipyard in Kenya Sometimes a project seems to have been arranged from front to back. But what if you are asked at the very last minute to show what your company is capable of? At eReM in Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands, they know all about it. In part thanks to a rock-solid offer they convinced their end customer – an internationally operating Dutch shipbuilder – to come on board with them. And in this case literally because, as it concerned the installation of the entire electrical system of a new shipyard in Kenya, the components were shipped by sea freight. Their main challenge? In the preliminary phase everything had to be 100% correct. This required thorough preparation in which eReM could count on support from itsme.

Headquartered in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, with production lines in Germany, Mexico, China and Romania, VCST is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and suppliers for the automotive industry. It is part of the Belgian BMT Group, with business in various industries, in all corners of the world.

Our customer moved the technical warehouse. We helped and took stock of the entire article file. Curious how that worked out? And how can you also improve your logistics processes with us? Continue reading on the other side.

itsme Industrial Automation has been around for 30 years. Where it once started with just support, the team of application engineers and product specialists now offers much more than that. Webinars, e-learning and training courses: itsme Industrial Automation specifically supports every customer with targeted information. And that from an international perspective, crossing over national borders.

The row of course binders at his home looks impressive. Even more so when you take into consideration that they don’t even include all of the training courses he has undertaken at itsme Industrial Automation. As many as seventeen, in just over three years. Quite a few, Mehmet thinks, but pretty logical in his opinion. “I get a lot out of the itsme training courses.”