Which of the following methods can address the issues of these MRO items?

Resevoir Inc runs several oil refineries across the country. These refineries require heavy investment, particularly in maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) inventory. But the inventory turnover rate of these MRO items are low, while some items have expired date, which increases the risks of obsolescence.

Which of the following methods can address the issues of these MRO items?
A . Forrester effect
B . Just in case
C . Larger safety stock
D . Vendor-owned stock

View Answer

Answer: D

Explanation:

Where stock turn (inventory turnover) is low and there are potential risks of redundancy or obsolescence, the buying organisation may adopt vendor owned stock. In this system, a supplier (vendor) maintains a stock of items ready to be used at the point of customer consumption. The supplier owns the stock until it is used by the purchaser; only then is the purchaser invoiced for it.

Just in case and larger safety stock would significantly increase the stock level, which may cause redundancy or obsolescence.

Forrester effect (or Bullwhip effect) is a distribution channel phenomenon in which forecasts yield supply chain inefficiencies. It refers to increasing swings in inventory in response to shifts in customer demand as one moves further up the supply chain.

Reference: CIPS study guide page 106

LO 2, AC 2.2