Implementation of JIT Technique in a Mixed Model Assembly Line: A Case Study

This study emphasizes on the implementation of JIT technology using Kanban system in a mixed model assembly line of a pump manufacturing industry having demand fluctuation in the orders, which forms a trigger to the overall system. Company has adopted make-to-stock (MTS) policy. Kanban is a method for increasing productivity with emphasis on just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing system in which the movements of the materials in a process are recorded on Kanban cards. The customer demand is increasing day by day and as per the present situation, the company has introduced the use of Kanban system in their process. This system allows lead time to be minimized, as compared to the situation before implementing Kanban. Due to this system, there is no need of keeping large inventory of raw materials and work-in-process (WIP) inventory. The results of the study obtained after implementing the optimal design of the Kanban system highlights the reduction in safety stocks, increase in the material availability, improvement in the material flow in the process and reduced overproduction, as it places control at the production level.