Purchasing raw materials, components, and other supplies is a crucial aspect of the automobile manufacturing process. However, the process of purchasing these items can be time-consuming and may involve a significant amount of working capital. The purchase cycle is the process of acquiring raw materials, from identifying the need for purchase to receiving and paying for the raw materials. Automobile manufacturers are always looking for ways to speed up the purchase cycle to ensure that they have the materials they need to keep production running smoothly. It also helps them improve their procurement process in multiple ways.
- Reduce costs and increase profitability through more efficient and effective procurement processes.
- Improve supplier relationships and increase supplier performance through better communication and collaboration.
- Ensure timely delivery of materials and components, reducing production downtime and increasing productivity.
- Enhance supply chain visibility and control, reducing the risk of stock shortages and improving inventory management.
- Improve product quality through better supplier selection and supplier evaluation processes.
- Foster innovation and competitiveness by staying ahead of industry trends and adopting new technologies.
In this blog post, we will discuss 5 ways by which automobile manufacturers can improve their purchase cycles:
Purchase Financing: Purchase financing is a type of financing that allows manufacturers to pay for the goods they need from suppliers on time and to secure better payment terms and pricing. Business purchase loans allow automobile producers to purchase the materials they need to keep production running smoothly, even if they do not have the cash to do so upfront. This can be particularly beneficial for manufacturers that experience fluctuations in cash flow, as it allows them to avoid the risk of having to pay for inventory that may not sell. With purchase finance, automobile manufacturers can thus take advantage of bulk purchasing opportunities, negotiate better prices with their suppliers, reduce lead times, and minimize supply chain disruptions.
Purchase Bill Discounting: It is a financial instrument that allows manufacturers to receive cash in advance for the bills they generate. This can be useful for manufacturers that have a large number of suppliers and need to pay them on time. By receiving cash in advance, manufacturers can speed up the payables and avoid delays in production. They can also do better cash flow management by obtaining early payment for invoices and ensuring timely payment of suppliers with this type of business purchase loan.
Just-In-Time (JIT) Inventory Management: JIT inventory management is a system that allows manufacturers to order materials just in time for when they are needed. This can help automobile manufacturers reduce the amount of inventory they need to hold, which can help them reduce costs and improve procurement processes. By only ordering materials when they are needed, manufacturers can reduce the amount of time they need to wait for materials to arrive.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): EDI is a technology that allows automobile producers to exchange business documents with suppliers electronically. This can help speed up the purchase cycle by eliminating the need for paper documents and manual data entry. EDI also allows manufacturers to track the status of orders in real time, which can help them plan production schedules and avoid delays.
Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR): CPFR is a system that allows manufacturers to work closely with suppliers to plan production schedules and forecast demand. This can help manufacturers speed up the procurement cycle by ensuring that they have the materials they need when they need them. By working closely with suppliers, manufacturers can also reduce the risk of stockouts and improve their ability to respond to changes in demand.
While these strategies can be useful for speeding up the purchase cycle, it’s important to keep in mind that they are not without their drawbacks. One of the main drawbacks of purchase financing and purchase bill discounting is that they can be costly. Many suppliers charge interest on the credit they extend, which can add to the overall cost of the goods. Additionally, some suppliers may require manufacturers to pay a deposit or a fee to use purchase financing or purchase bill discounting. Hence, it is important to choose the right financier before availing these types of business purchase loans. Purchase finance and purchase bill discounting are offered by several financial institutions including banks, NBFCs and other online lending platforms. One such lending fintech is Oxyzo which offers a range of financing solutions including purchase finance that help businesses manage their procurement and working capital needs with its quick and hassle-free online process.
JIT inventory management and CPFR can also have their own drawbacks. JIT inventory management requires manufacturers to have a good understanding of their production schedules and demand patterns, which can be challenging for some. CPFR, on the other hand, requires a high level of collaboration with suppliers, which can be difficult to achieve in practice.
In conclusion, automobile manufacturers have several strategies at their disposal to improve the purchase cycle and the entire procurement process. Purchase financing, purchase bill discounting, JIT inventory management, EDI, and CPFR are all methods that can be used to reduce the lead time it takes to purchase materials and components. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, automobile manufacturers can make informed decisions.
