Assessment of alternative inventory methodologies for high-volume production systems

This paper focuses on simulation models developed to assist in the analysis of high-volume production systems. The models provided results that were used to balance material handling resources system wide and develop least-cost and highest-performance alternatives. The systems evaluated were material delivery and distribution facilities used in the production of consumer goods. System resources included fork trucks, semi-trailers and tractors, docks, warehouse and staging space that constrain the distribution of raw material, work-in-process and finished goods inventory. The major concepts addressed are inventory reduction, transition from a push to a pull system and capital project justification.