Efficient materials management
Saab Aerostructures has commenced the introduction of Direct Line Feed of fasteners into its production. The aim is to reduce tied-up capital and stock costs by making material management more efficient.
Direct line feed means that the supplier delivers their articles directly to production without going via goods reception. In the first phase this is being introduced for the fasteners for the production of ailerons for the A320, but the intention is that it will be introduced into most of the production during next year.
The new working method requires less administration by Saab.
“The supplier will manage most of it. We will not hold any stock of fasteners and we will not check the articles when they come to Saab; all of that will be dealt with by the supplier who will deliver the goods directly to production”, explains Hanna Lindvall, project leader for the implementation at Saab Aerostructures.
The supplier will receive assistance from a local supplier to manage the regular restocking of material. They will electronically scan the consumption once a week. This will ensure that the correct amount of fasteners will be ordered from supplier’s stores.
“We will gain a lot in reduced capital tie–up by working with direct line feed,” explains Hanna Lindvall.
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