Ricoh 2012 Annual Report Download - page 60

Ricoh Group Sustainability Report 201259
Supply Chain Management
Production in the optimal location meets
customer needs around the world
Production sites in the five regions around the world in which we operate
adopt a production system based on the concept of “production in
the optimal location for maximum efficiency,” which is supported by a
combination of “intensive production” to produce high quality products
efficiently at the lowest possible cost and “local production for local
consumption” to promptly provide products and services at locations that
are convenient to and that meet the needs of local customers.
“MB & R Production” to reduce costs for
inventories of finished products
MB & R (Modular Build & Replenishment) is a production method in
which modeling is performed at the latest possible step of the production
process by producing modules at lower cost in an intensive manner at
concentrated production sites (China and Thailand) and assembling
finished modules at production sites in consuming regions (Japan, the
Americas, Europe) after selecting the type to meet changes in demand.
This method has allowed us to reduce the inventories of finished goods
and, accordingly, management expenses.
Reduced delivery time with the configuration
service
This is a service to deliver customers products with optional items already
attached and for which necessary settings, including IP addresses, have
already been configured at the factory. Products are delivered directly
from the factory to the customer in the form of an all-in-one package.
This service helps shorten the installation time of the machine, and it also
contributes to a substantial reduction of packaging materials compared
with the traditional delivery of items separately packaged in cardboard.
“Ricoh’s production system,” which is resistant
to change
We adopt “Ricoh’s original production system,” which is designed to
achieve high productivity and low environmental impact, and to aim
at manufacturing products that are resistant to change. In 1999, Ricoh
began gradually eliminating fixed conveyor lines and introducing a layout-
free production system capable of responding flexibly to production
volume and equipment model changes. In an example of this, the “cart
production line,” multiple carts are lined up in a row and powered by air
cylinders. The carts move along the production line carrying products.
Our system allows a significant
reduction in environmental impact
and energy costs. In addition,
because the layout can be freely
changed, the formation can be
rearranged on a case-by-case basis
to suit equipment models and
production volumes.
We possess production sites in five regions around the world, based on which we are developing a global “Regionally Produced and Regionally
Consumed” system.
We have put our focus not only on improving production efficiency but also on continuing with comprehensive reform of the supply chain
process, including sales, production, procurement and logistics, in such a way as to shorten total lead time, optimize inventories, and reduce
environmental impact.
Production
Efforts to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing processes www.ricoh.com/environment/office/index.html
WEB
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The Americas
(Production sites
in consuming region)
Europe
(Production sites
in consuming region)
Japan
(Production sites
in consuming region)
Final assembly (MB & R)
Configuration
Recycling
Final assembly (MB & R)
Configuration
Recycling
Final assembly (MB & R)
Configuration
Recycling
Module production
Final assembly
China/Thailand
(Intensive production sites)
Intensive production sites
Production sites in
consuming regions
Japan, the Americas, Europe China, Thailand
Assembly of
common parts Assembly by model
Model
with fax
Model
with printer
Modules
Innovations in manufacturing processes See page 66
Conventional
packaging Configuration
service
Packaging
materials are used
for each product
and optional item!
Products and optional items are
packaged individually and
customers configure their settings.
Optional items are attached to the product
at the factory to meet the customer’s needs
and then delivered to the customer using
resource-recirculating eco packaging.
■ Conventional packaging versus the configuration service