Just-in-Time Management in the Ready Mixed Concrete Industry of Chongqing, China

Abstract Implementing Just-in-time (JIT) management in the ready mixed concrete (RMC) industry appears viable. Although the Chinese government mandated that concrete required on site for medium and large construction projects in urban areas must be supplied ready mixed from off-site batching plants by 2003 in Chongqing, China, the implementation status of JIT techniques in the RMC industry in Chongqing has not yet been studied. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the implementation status of JIT management in the RMC industry in Chongqing. The field study conducted of all RMC suppliers in Chongqing found that the demand pull system was adopted for cement procurement and RMC delivery, and the economic order quantity (EOQ) purchasing method was adopted for the procurement of aggregates, sand and concrete admixtures. The study also found that several important characteristics of JIT are seldom practiced by RMC suppliers in Chongqing. These are the use of sole sourcing vendors, vendor training, cross-training, preventive maintenance, stable schedule, quality circles, and the existence of a JIT team, JIT education, JIT champion and use of outside consultants.

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