Optimization of the Production Strategy in Medical Technology

Factory Planning

Make-to-stock for high-runner products

Our customer is part of an international group in the medical technology sector. The company was faced with the challenge of managing a highly complex production process with a broad product range as efficiently as possible. The existing make-to-order strategy led to frequent bottleneck overloads, long waiting times, high interim stocks and short-term reprioritization of production orders.

Through a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, we identified the switch to a make-to-stock strategy for high-runner products as a key solution. Based on the intensity of demand, we assigned all products to three clearly defined production strategies.

Through the targeted conversion of  production planning and steering, particularly for high-runner products, we are achieving three key effects:

• Significant reduction in planning effort through standardized processes
• Minimization of set-up costs, as machines largely produce according to fixed patterns
• Sustainable benefits through optimized inventory management, shorter throughput times and reduced buffer stocks

The above-mentioned effects also make it possible to economically justify the increase in stock associated with the changeover.