Constraints to quick response systems in the implosive industries

Studies the problem of producing a product range with high customer service in the implosive industries. In the implosive industries a wide range of end products are manufactured from a limited number of standard materials. The problem of producing a product range with high customer service is studied within the framework of product range, capacity and customer acceptable lead time. In the existing just‐in‐time literature, strong emphasis is put on set‐up and through‐put time reduction for achieving high product availability with low cost. However, the decision regarding the product range and its implications on production control is not adequately considered. It is proposed that the relevant time scope to consider demand and capacity is the product range cycle. Three cases from the food and paper industry are studied. The cases indicate constraints for achieving quick response capability.