Which inventory management method is XYZ Ltd implementing?

XYZ Ltd is a major distributor of electrical equipment protection products in the United States. XYZ found that there was a lack of communication between the company and its key supplier, leading to the supplier trying to predict distributor needs and distributor attempting to estimate lead times. Essentially, both the supplier and the distributor have different sets of information, spending time and money trying to predict what the other will do. To deal with this problem, XYZ Ltd decides to implement new inventory management method in which the supplier manage the replenishment of items for sale. Both parties are obliged to share information on variations in demand and stock levels for goods used for or sale.

Which inventory management method is XYZ Ltd implementing?
A . Reverse logistics
B . Floor-ready merchandise
C . Vendor managed inventory
D . Economic order quantity

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) is a business model where the buyer of a product provides in-formation to a vendor of that product and the vendor takes full responsibility for maintaining an agreed inventory of the material, usually at the buyer’s consumption location.

Floor-Ready Merchandise can be defined as the merchandise that is pre-tagged, pre ticketed and pre-occupied with all the necessary details and information such as marked to their specifications for style, size, type, color and price, this information is required in the retail store and is done before it reaches the retail store.

Economic order quantity (EOQ) is the ideal order quantity a company should purchase to minimize inventory costs such as holding costs, shortage costs, and order costs. This production-scheduling model was developed in 1913 by Ford W. Harris and has been refined over time. The formula assumes that demand, ordering, and holding costs all remain constant.

The full definition of reverse logistics, as according to The Council of Logistics Management, is the process of implementing, controlling, and planning the cost-effective flow of finished goods, raw materials, and in-process inventory. The flow is from the point of consumption (i.e. the customer) to the point of origin (i.e. the manufacturer), to properly dispose of these or to recapture value.

In the scenario, XYZ solves the current situation by letting the supplier to management the inventory and sharing stock level information with the supplier. Vendor managed inventory is the most suitable answer.

Reference: CIPS study guide page 154

LO 3, AC 3.1