Borrowed from the principles of lean manufacturing – a system which seeks to eliminate anything in the manufacturing process that doesn’t add value – the lean distribution model provides a practical and effective method for eliminating waste in your operations, resulting in improved customer satisfaction and increased profits. And waste in this context does not just refer to material things; it can include inefficient use of time, effort, technologies and business processes. It’s about streamlining your operations in a way that helps you meet customer demands and gain a competitive edge. Rather than an end itself, lean is a process of continual improvement.
While many distribution business managers may claim that they apply some form of lean distribution, the reality is that most have not done a deep dive into this way of operating. However efficiently a distribution company is run, there is almost always room for improvement.
What about your business? If you haven’t already embraced the lean approach, now is a good time to start. But where to begin? Well, you can begin by reviewing every aspect of your distribution workforce, processes and methodologies.
To find out more, download the Lean distribution article from Jiwa Financials.
