Introduction to Materials Management (7th Edition)

Book Preface

Introduction to Materials Management is an introductory text written for students incommunity colleges and universities. It is used in technical programs, such as industrial engineering and manufacturing engineering; in business programs; and by those already in industry, whether or not they are working in materials management.

This text has been widely adopted by colleges and universities not only in North America but also in other parts of the world. APICS–The Association for Operations Management recommends this text as the reference for certification preparation for various CPIM examinations. In addition, the text is used by production and inventory control societies around the world, including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, and Brazil, and by consultants who present in-house courses to their customers.

Introduction to Materials Management covers all the basics of supply chain management, manufacturing planning and control systems, purchasing, physical distribution and quality management. The material, examples, questions, and problems lead the student logically through the text. The writing style is simple and user-friendly—both instructors and students who have used the book attest to this.

NEW TO THIS EDITION

All chapters have been updated to reflect new techniques and technology
Case studies added to Chapters 2: Production Planning System, 9: Inventory Fundamentals, and 14: Products and Processes
Re-organized content to emphasize lean production separate from but related to JIT
Extensive updates to Chapter 15: Lean Production
End of chapter problems have been altered
Addition of information on sustainability and “green” production

In addition, we have retained several features from previous editions

Margin icons to note key concepts
Key terms listed at the end of each chapter
Example problems within the chapters
Chapter summaries
Questions and problems at the end of each chapter

APPROACH AND ORGANIZATION

Materials management means different things to different people. In this textbook, materials management includes all activities in the flow of materials from the supplier to the consumer. Such activities include physical supply, operations planning and control, and physical distribution. Other terms sometimes used in this area are business logistics and supply chain management. Often, the emphasis in business logistics is on transportation and distribution systems with little concern for what occurs in the factory.Whereas some chapters in this text are devoted to transportation and distribution, emphasis is placed on operations planning and control.

Distribution and operations are managed by planning and controlling the flow of materials through them and by using the system’s resources to achieve a desired customer service level. These activities are the responsibility of materials management and affect every department in a manufacturing business. If the materials management system is not well designed and managed, the distribution and manufacturing system will be less effective and more costly. Anyone working in manufacturing or distribution should have a good basic understanding of the factors influencing materials flow. This text aims to provide that understanding and also includes a chapter on quality management.

APICS defines the body of knowledge, concepts, and vocabulary used in production and inventory control. Establishing standard knowledge, concepts, and vocabulary is essential both for developing an understanding of production and inventory control and for making clear communication possible. Where applicable, the definitions and concepts in this text subscribe to APICS vocabulary and concepts.

The first six chapters of Introduction to Materials Management cover the basics of production planning and control. Chapter 7 discusses important factors in purchasing and supply chain; Chapter 8 discusses forecasting. Chapters 9, 10, and 11 look at the fundamentals of inventory management. Chapter 12 discusses physical inventory and warehouse management, and Chapter 13 examines the elements of distribution systems, including transportation, packaging, and material handling. Chapter 14 covers factors influencing product and process design. Chapter 15 looks at the philosophy and environment of just-in-time and lean production and explains how operations planning and control systems relate to just-in-time and lean production. Chapter 16 examines the elements of total quality management and six sigma quality approaches.