By:
Mohd. Zubair Saifi (32237)
Introduction
In 1990’s, Hewlett-Packard faced several problems with
inventory levels for the DeskJet Printer product line. This printer was produced in Vancouver’s facility and from there was shipped to a distribution center.
HP has three distribution centers (DC)
North America
Asia Pacific and
Europe
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Mohd. Zubair Saifi, SIBM-Pune
Deskjet Supply Chain
3
Mohd. Zubair Saifi, SIBM-Pune
Cycle time for production and distribution Factory Cycle Time
US DC
Europe
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Mohd. Zubair Saifi, SIBM-Pune
Asia
Problem
Satisfy customer requirements by holding minimum
inventory
Bring a consensus amongst various division about inventory levels Marketing wants 98% product availability
Distribution wants minimum inventory
Sources of uncertainties
Delivery of incoming material
Internal Processes
Demand
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Mohd. Zubair Saifi, SIBM-Pune
Bad Solution - Forecasting
Forecasting is generally not reliable
Longer forecasting horizon makes forecast worse
Aggregate forecasts are much accurate
In case of HP deskjet case the problem is more serious
because
Higher Inventory carrying costs in case of HP case varying from
12% to 60%
In technology products, chances of obsolescence are higher
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Mohd. Zubair Saifi, SIBM-Pune
Europe
Europe
Average
Std dev
Average Inventory to support 98% sales
A
42.33
32.41
108.90
AA
420.17
203.93
838.98
AB
15830.08
5624.58
27381.56
AQ
2301.17
1168.49
4700.96
AU
4208.00
2204.58
8735.66
AY
306.83
103.12
518.62
23108.58
6243.96
35932.11
Europe TOTAL
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Mohd. Zubair Saifi, SIBM-Pune
Asia Pacific
Asia-Pacific
Average
Std dev
Average Inventory to support 98% sales
A
114.67
281.63
693.06
AB
331.58
265.83
877.52
AG
1005.92
604.49
2247.39
References: “Postponement project work paper” – MIT center for transportation and logistics, Version: Feb 23, 2005 http://www.business-around-theglobe.com/freecartoons/freecartoons.html, retrieved on 16th Dec, 2009 14 Mohd. Zubair Saifi, SIBM-Pune