edf40wrjww2CF_PaperMaster:Desc
Problem Solution: Kuiper Leda
The corporate environment is distinguished by competition, complexity, and change. With the globalization of markets and burgeoning foreign competition, supply chain management is becoming the most powerful business tool in reducing cost while improving production and customer satisfaction. Supply chain management is also transforming the way companies purchase raw materials, run production, and distribute final products.
Kuiper Ledia, Inc. (Kuiper) is an electronic components manufacturer, specializing in the production of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and sensors for the automotive industry (UOP, 2007). After finding success with this niche during the past 10 years, the company has recently entered into the Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) market and has been in production for six months.
Midland Motors has noticed the increase in business criteria and they placed an urgent, substantial order for ECUs and RFIDs; an amount that exceeds Kuipers current daily production capacity. In order to complete the Midland order in the specifications and time frame, Kuiper needs to determine the best way to conquer this challenge. In addition, to completing the current customer orders at the quality expected from Kuiper. To further complicate the situation, Kuiper’s production planning, inventory tracking, and supply chain management systems are inadequate to meet the demands of increased production.
Situation Analysis
Issue and Opportunity Identification
Many major retailers, such as Best Buy and Wal-Mart, are establishing programs in which over the next few years, their suppliers w ...