Manufacturers may enjoy the concept of adding packaging and kitting services, but they must first determine which kind of kitting operations best suit their company’s needs. Pre-kitting, product kitting, just-in-time kitting, and material kitting are the four types of kitting that a manufacturer can use. Among these four, material kitting is the most common kitting approach used by manufacturers for a wide range of small components or customized products since it saves time, increases assembly efficiency, and adds an extra layer of quality control that can help eliminate errors.
Understanding the Different Types of Kitting
Pre-Kitting
Items are pre-kitted at the end of the production process and transported in batches to third-party logistics (3PL). Companies utilize pre-kitting to save time; in this instance, a picker will select a single kit rather than individual items, and the packer will not be required to create a packing strategy on the spot. If a fulfillment firm offers kitting services, kits will normally be pre-packed at the warehouse. Pre-kitting solves packing challenges by providing a process to pack items ahead of time.
Product Kitting
This process can be part of production or order fulfillment, and these types of kits are sold together, typically under a single SKU. An art kit with paints, brushes, paper, and an instruction booklet is one example of product kitting, as is a subscription box with razor blades and shaving supplies.
Just-In-Time Kitting
JIT kits are assembled in a warehouse and delivered as needed at the point of use. When JIT kitting is implemented, it gives the company more flexibility to meet demand while keeping inventory low and allowing them to sell and ship individual items under their original SKUs or as kits.
Material Kitting
Material kitting is a manufacturing technique that involves assembling raw materials and components. This procedure consists of parts that are required at a given stage in the manufacturing process, and it divides assembly into two sections: acquiring components and putting them together.
Material kitting can be both similar and different to these other kitting processes, material kitting, and pre-kitting are similar in the sense that both are pre-kitted materials that are ready to be used, however, pre kitting are just items that are going to be distributed, material kitting is raw materials put together to be used in a final product. Material kitting differs from product kitting, as it is not packaged in a set to be sold to a consumer. Material kitting and just-in-time kitting also differ because material kitting is not assembled as needed.
Benefits of Material Kitting
Streamline Supply Chain
Individual parts take up more warehouse space than kits. Because each part of the assembly process is completed under ideal conditions, material kitting can improve efficiency and speed. Because of package consolidation, this process can also reduce the cost of shipping.
Reduce Errors in Manufacturing and Assembly
When an assembly line can help reduce the number of decisions that must be made, accuracy improves. Because the kit includes all the necessary components, and the line will not have to pause if someone runs out of a material, pre-made products can save time and money when it comes to assembly.
Faster Assembly Line Process
When material kitting is implemented in a warehouse, this can influence how fast an assembly line produces a product. By simplifying line-side inventory, a manufacturer may increase efficiency, reduce the chance of a line worker picking up the wrong part, improve picking, packing, and reporting speed, and reduce material handling time.
Material kitting can be beneficial for both manufacturers and distributors; however, it may fulfill the needs of one manufacturer but not the other. Material kitting has numerous benefits, including streamlining your supply chain, reducing manufacturing errors, and improving assembly-line speed. Material kitting can also be used when custom kitting and packaging are required, or when a large number of small components must be kitted.
Outsourcing kitting be a daunting process, as it entails trusting that vital components will arrive on time and without error. Our expert team at NewStream Enterprises, LLC can handle all your kitting and packing requirements. Our company provides cost-effective kitting, and our extensive kitting experience allows us to transform complicated kitting into a simple process flow. For your kitting needs, NewStream excels in quality, fill rates, just-in-time, and on-time delivery.
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