Platt Luggage – Improved Lead Time

Chicago-based Platt Luggage is in the process of implementing VISUAL Easy Lean and is already posting dramatic results. Platt Luggage, like many other companies, had too much inventory and maintained lead-times that were longer than customers preferred.

In just the first few months, we have been able to reduce our lead times from 4 weeks to 2 weeks and cut work-in-process inventory almost in half, said Marc Platt, President of Platt Luggage. It has allowed us to capture new business and retain existing customers.

Shorter lead-time and more reliable delivery performance enables the company to bring in new business. With its increased flexibility to take on orders, Platt Luggage is also restructuring its pricing according to guidelines consistent with the Easy Lean strategy to help drive sales and contribute to its overall goals for productivity and profitability.

VISUAL Easy Lean is a unique production scheduling and control system from Lilly Software Associates. It is the first commercial software product to incorporate Simplified Market Pull scheduling. SMP helps companies that have enough resource capacity but are still having trouble meeting due dates and completing work on-time.

It is rare for any company to start seeing the benefits of a new scheduling software system before it’s even completed implementation, but that is exactly what happened at Platt Luggage.

The procedural changes brought along by the implementation of VISUAL Easy Lean and the SMP scheduling system from Lilly Software Associates started reducing lead-times and lowering inventory even before the official ‘go live’ date.

After we’d only been at this for about 4 weeks, we were already seeing noticeable improvements, said Platt. Things were running more smoothly out in the plant and people clearly knew what to work on next.

With an 83-year history of innovation, Platt Luggage proudly manufactures a vast variety of carrying cases. Platt is a world leader in the manufacture of tool carrying cases, offering the largest selection in the industrial case industry. Platt also excels in customized professional cases for business and industry.

Using VISUAL Easy Lean and with its ability to reduce market constraints, Platt Luggage looks forward to continuing to offer superior customer service and outperform its competition.

About The Author:

Gina Camell is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.luggage-n-tote-bags.com. Traveling is easier with quality luggage, suitcases, garment bags, totes & travel bags.