CASE STUDY

Illuminating Success: Streamlined Inventory Solutions for the Lighting Industry

A leading lighting manufacturer faced challenges, including high supplier costs affecting profitability, a disorganized inventory system causing inefficiencies, and missing standard documentation complicating operations. Endries, previously uninvolved, entered a strategic engagement and participated in their bid process. The aim was to provide competitive pricing and customized solutions to enhance cost efficiency, streamline inventory, and address documentation gaps.

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office lighting showing well-light space

Overview

Industry: Lighting

Solution: PULSE VMI Program, engineering expertise & enhanced inventory organization

Customer: Leading lighting manufacturer

lighting manufacturer case study:

Endries’ goal was to improve operational efficiency while reducing costs to strengthen the customer's market competitiveness.

Challenge

A leading manufacturer in the lighting industry was grappling with challenges that hampered their operational efficiency and market competitiveness. Chief among these were high pricing from their
existing supplier, which undermined profitability, and a disorganized inventory system, leading to inefficiencies, wasted time, and lost productivity. Further compounding the issue was the lack of essential documentation for standard parts, such as prints or drawings, which added complexity to procurement and operational processes.

Endries had not previously been servicing this business; however, after initiating a strategic engagement with the customer, we were invited to participate in their bid process. This presented an opportunity to not only offer more competitive pricing but also to address their operational challenges with tailored solutions that would improve cost efficiency, streamline inventory, and solve the documentation gap.

The endries engineering team play a critical role in simplifying the transition process and providing immediate operational benefits

solution

To address these challenges, we implemented solutions that encompassed both immediate and long-term benefits:

Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) PULSE Solution

We introduced our PULSE VMI program, which features 24/7 bin monitoring to ensure optimal inventory levels. This solution minimized disruptions by eliminating stockouts and ensuring critical items were always available.

Improved Inventory Organization

By streamlining and enhancing the organization of the customer’s inventory, we created a system that was easier for employees to navigate, saving time and increasing productivity.

Cost Savings

Leveraging our extensive sourcing and procurement expertise, we provided excellent pricing that enabled the customer to regain their competitive edge in the market.

Engineering Expertise

Our engineering team played a pivotal role in addressing the absence of standard part documentation. We analyzed all parts in the RFQ package, reviewed samples, and created drawings using the customer’s templates. This included CAD model development for enhanced design utility.

Out of 362 standard parts reviewed, our engineering team categorized them and created 117 chart drawings, providing clarity and consistency in part specifications. During the review of 57 prints marked as ‘per print items,’ our team identified discrepancies in 22 prints when compared to samples. We provided corrected, redline drawings to the customer to ensure their documentation was both accurate and reliable.

transition and implementation

The transition process was meticulously planned to use the Endries VMI Transition Checklist and Playbook to ensure a seamless onboarding experience.

Key initiatives included implementing a tracking system for products and SKUs aligned with our People/Process/Program framework. By utilizing a structured project management approach, we minimized disruptions during the transition while working closely with the customer to ensure a seamless implementation. Furthermore, the engineering team's meticulous organization and categorization of parts were instrumental in streamlining the transition and delivering
immediate operational advantages.

results

The implementation of the Endries’ solution delivered measurable improvements across key areas:

Zero Stockouts - The Endries PULSE VMI System provided continuous monitoring that eliminated the guesswork from Pulse inventory management. By tracking inventory levels, the system ensured that critical products were always in stock and readily available.
Enhanced Inventory Organization - Operational efficiency improved by streamlining the customer's inventory management processes. With the implementation of a more systematic and orderly layout, products were categorized and stored in a way that made them easier to locate and access. This reduced the time employees spent searching for items, which in turn accelerated production workflows and minimized delays. Ultimately, the improved organization translated to smoother day-to-day operations and reduced downtime.
Accurate Documentation and Categorization - The engineering team's work not only filled the documentation gap but also added long-term value by categorizing parts and ensuring print accuracy. These efforts enhanced the customer's ability to manage their inventory and production more efficiently.
Cost Competitiveness - Our pricing solution was designed to address the customer’s pressing need for cost competitiveness, a critical factor in maintaining their market position in the highly competitive lighting industry. By leveraging our extensive global sourcing network and procurement expertise, we were able to provide pricing that not only aligned with market expectations but also delivered significant cost savings. This allowed the customer to reduce their production costs without compromising on the quality of their fasteners and components.

conclusion

Streamlined Inventory
Management

Optimized inventory levels, eliminated stockouts, and improved organization.

Engineering & Documentation
Excellence

Accurate and consistent drawings resolved documentation gaps.

Cost Competitiveness

Leveraged global procurement
expertise to provide competitive
pricing and reduce production costs.

By tailoring our PULSE VMI program, engineering expertise and enhanced inventory organization, we addressed the customer’s unique challenges while staying cost competitive and improving operational efficiency.

Our ability to combine cost savings with practical business improvements strengthened their market position and ensured long-term success.