C-parts firmly under control

At Viastore, a two-bin Kanban system ensures clear stock levels and transparent processes. The provider of intralogistics systems, software and services has benefited from working with the Kanban experts at Otto Roth for many years.

Successful cooperation when it comes to Kanban: Stephan Becker (left), Team Leader Production at Viastore, and Berk Kula, Sales Manager at Otto Roth. © Otto Roth

"Our driver usually comes on Wednesdays, puts down the pallet with the full containers and takes the empty ones away again," explains Wolfgang May. He is responsible for advising and supporting Viastore as part of Otto Roth's field service. Each container has a barcode label with information on the respective C-parts that are refilled at Otto Roth. The quantity is agreed with Viastore - depending on the annual or monthly requirements. "Kanban is a flexibly expandable system with no fixed limits. This allows us to make adjustments and react quickly at any time in close consultation with those responsible," says Berk Kula, Sales Manager at Otto Roth, summing up the advantages of the system. An additional advantage for both partners is the close proximity of the company locations, which makes the collaboration very efficient.

Transparent and resource-saving

The Kanban solution from Otto Roth always delivers the components when the customer actually needs them. The system also improves transparency in the production processes, as everyone involved can see the current status in the warehouse at all times. The partners coordinate the parts list and consumption on an annual basis. There are currently 300 different components in the Kanban system, while employees order a further 200 manually from Otto Roth.

Users such as Viastore, who usually access small quantities, also produce in a resource-saving manner thanks to Kanban. "If we have an additional requirement for a project, all it takes is a phone call or an email and the required items are made available to us promptly. The responsible internal sales contact is available at all times and responds reliably and competently to requirements," enthuses Stephan Becker.

The next step is to modernize the Kanban system. "We are switching to new Kanban containers and adjusting the fill quantity to the current annual requirement," explains Wolfgang May. Viastore has also recently started using Otto Roth's online platform, which can be accessed from anywhere - whether PC, tablet or smartphone. When Stephan Becker logs in, all data and evaluations relating to deliveries are displayed transparently. This includes information on quantities or prices, but also on the respective location and status. A monitoring list shows consumption and master data for the C-Parts, and evaluations of delivered containers, including delivery bills and invoice numbers, can also be called up.

Ulrich Guschlbauer prefers to pick up the phone: "The service is very good and we want to continue this stable, trusting cooperation." The Viastore employees are very satisfied with the Kanban system, they invest less time in procurement and, above all, save valuable storage space.