Manufacturer Empowers Employees to Slash Inventory and Improve Supplier Performance

Overview

A. O. Smith Water Products Company manufactures water heaters, boilers, and hot-water storage solutions sold worldwide. The company wanted to make it easier for materials planners and receiving personnel to keep inventory up-to-date and reduce inventory costs. The company implemented Ultriva Electronic Kanban, an automated, browser-based inventory replenishment solution that runs on Microsoft software. A. O. Smith employees have been able to reduce inventory 20 percent year over year, boost inventory turns by 100 percent, and increase customer fill rates.