Raw materials inventory management for a Coke plant

Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.Analysis of inventory management and logistics for a metallurgical coke plant at Mittal Steel, Vanderbijlpark Works , Gauteng, South Africa. Inventory management and logistics is a concept, which has shown considerable development in the post-World War II era. The concept of applying inventory and logistics as a business function initially emerged during the price wars era and evolved during the quest for quality era. Thereafter, business inventory and logistics had a promotion/marketing focus, which evolved to the point where it is now. Today, inventory management and logistics can provide time and place utility, thus adding value to a business. The major focus in this respect is on increasing customer service. In this dissertation the concept of inventory and logistics is examined by means of both a literature and empirical study. This study focuses mainly on the development of inventory management, logistics, inbound logistics and outbound logistics. The main focus of the different chapters is effective inventory management. The main reason for this study was to determine whether inventory management and control comply with the proposed manufacturing standards. This was also investigated empirically, by determining the inventory control systems and manufacturing factors as perceived from a manufacturer's point of view. From the many interesting findings of this study it was concluded that many inventory control systems did not comply with the proposed standards. Future fields of study and recommendations are provided in an effort to contribute to the study field of inventory management and logistics and its practitioners.Master