Pull-through production definition

What is Pull-Through Production?

Pull-through production is a just-in-time manufacturing method that releases a production order into the manufacturing process when a customer order is received. Sufficient resources are assigned to the manufacturing process only at the point when the production order is released.

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Operations Management

Advantages of Pull-Through Production

There are several advantages associated with a pull-through production system. They are as follows:

  • Reduces inventory investment. This approach minimizes any excess investment in inventory, since it should result in very little raw materials or finished goods inventory.

  • Reduces overhead costs. Since there is less inventory on hand, it also means that warehouse space can be minimized, which reduces factory overhead costs.

  • Enhances customer loyalty. A further advantage is that the immediate nature of these orders allows a business to offer some degree of customization to customers, which may increase their loyalty to the seller.

  • No obsolescence. There is no inventory obsolescence, since the manufacturer maintains no finished goods inventory.

Disadvantages of Pull-Through Production

The primary downside of pull-through production is that job lots may be as small as a single unit. This may require more overhead to set up equipment within the production process, as well as to place orders for small amounts of raw materials.