Raving Fan: Lechler, Inc.

	Lechler Manages Inventory Levels with MT&S Crib Wizard

by Tom Henry, MT&S Branch Manager

Lechler, Inc. (St. Charles, IL) is a manufacturer of precision nozzles for industry, environment and agriculture. Because of their diversification in product, Lechler is required to inventory many different cutting tool and MRO products. The key focus for Lechler was to find and implement a low cost, easy-to-use system to control inventory levels and streamline the purchasing and receiving process.

Ed Stedman, Machinery Tooling & Supply (MT&S) Sr. Sales Engineer, introduced MT&S Crib Wizard to Dennis Theesfeld, Lechler's Manager of Manufacturing, and Tim Vruble, Lechler's Industrial Technician. Dennis explains that Lechler "was looking for a system that would make it easy for us to maintain inventory levels and help our operators find the tooling they needed. The MT&S Crib Wizard system has created a centralized tooling location. Traditionally, Tim's time was spent doing timely inventory counts or rushing out last minute orders. Now, with the ability to scan and order electronically, Tim can focus his time on other tasks."

After Lechler invested in new tooling cabinets to centralize their tooling, Tim & Ed identified the items needed in stock, established bin locations for each item and applied bar codes to each bin location. This gave Tim the ability to open a cabinet drawer and scan the bar code for items that are low in inventory. These scanned items automatically generate an electronic order in MT&S Crib Wizard software. This order is then sent effortlessly via the internet to MT&S.

Tom Henry, MT&S Branch Manager, explains, "through the use of bar code/RF scanning technology and electronic order processing, MT&S Crib Wizard offers Lechler the ability to reduce their inventory while streamlining their purchasing and receiving process." The MT&S Crib Wizard system provides Lechler:

• Bar Code / RF Scanning Technology – Because each item/bin location is bar coded, product requirements can be scanned quickly and error free.

• Automated Order Development and Processing – The bar codes scanned are automatically recorded in the MT&S Crib Wizard software and a purchase order of the items and quantities needed can be sent via the Internet to MT&S quickly.

• Customized Tool Crib Catalog – A Customized Catalog is created consisting of the items that are bar coded for easy recognition and order placement.

• Reduced Inventory Requirements & Costs – Due to the simplification of the ordering & inventory process, inventory levels - and costs - can be reduced substantially.

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