What is just-in-time (JIT) inventory?

Just in time inventory, also known as JIT inventory, is the reduced amount of inventory owned by a business after it installs a just-in-time manufacturing system, which is also known as a "pull" system. The intent of a JIT system is to ensure that components and sub-assemblies used to create finished goods are delivered to the production area exactly on time. Doing so eliminates a considerable amount of investment in inventory, thereby reducing the working capital needs of a business.

Under the JIT concept, inventory may be reduced by the following means:

• Reduced production runs. Fast equipment setup times make it economical to create very short production runs, which reduces the investment in finished goods inventory.
• Production cells. Employees walk individual parts through the processing steps in a work cell, thereby reducing scrap levels. Doing so also eliminates the work-in-process queues that typically build up in front of a more specialized work station.
• Compressed operations. Production cells are arranged close together, so there is less work-in-process inventory being moved between cells.
• Delivery quantities. Deliveries are made with the smallest possible quantities, possibly more than once a day, which nearly eliminates raw material inventories.
• Certification. Supplier quality is certified in advance, so their deliveries can be sent straight to the production area, rather than piling up in the receiving area to await inspection.

Advantages of JIT Inventory

There are a multitude of improvements related to JIT inventory, particularly in relation to reduced cash requirements and the ease with which manufacturing problems can be uncovered. Advantages of JIT inventory include:

• Working capital. JIT inventory is designed to be exceedingly low, so the investment in working capital is minimized.
• Obsolete inventory. Since inventory levels are so low, there is little risk of having much obsolete inventory.
• Defects. With so little inventory on hand, defective inventory items are more easy to identify and correct, resulting in lower scrap costs.
• Process time. A thoroughly implemented JIT system should shorten the amount of time required to manufacture products, which may decrease the quoted lead times given to customers placing orders.
• Engineering change orders. It is much easier to implement engineering change orders to existing products, because there are few existing stocks of raw materials to draw down before you can implement changes to a product.

Disadvantages of JIT Inventory

There is one key problem with JIT inventory, but it is a large one:

• Shortages. Low JIT inventory levels make it more likely that any problem in the supplier pipeline will lead to a shortage that will stop production. This risk can be mitigated through the use of expensive overnight delivery services when shortages occur.

Evaluation of JIT Inventory

The benefits of reducing the investment in inventory are substantial, which can lead a company to pare away too much inventory. When this happens, any unanticipated disruption to the flow of materials can bring operations to a halt almost immediately. Consequently, JIT concepts should certainly be followed, but be aware that there is a lower limit on how far you can reduce inventory levels.

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