Kuiper Generic Benchmarking

RUNNING HEAD: KUIPER LEDA GENERIC BENCHMARKING

Kuiper Leda Generic Benchmarking

Kuiper Leda (KL) currently manufactures Electronic Control Units (ECU) and Radio Frequency Identification Tags (RFID) for its clients and is known for its good reputation of customer service; and earns over $400 million for doing so. However, KL has recently been contracted to manufacture 250,000 ECUs and 35,000 RFID’s from Midland Motors in addition to its current production (Apollo Group, 2005).

KL does not have the capacity or systems to handle the excess demand from its new customer. Therefore, in order to maintain its high level of service and to retain its current customers as well as attract new ones, it needs to review its supply chain systems for current and future needs. The research contained herein attempts to offer KL alternative solutions in order to achieve the objective of reviewing and enhancing its bottom line and market share by implementing synchronous manufacturing and supply chain systems

Identify key concepts

Identifying key concepts in benchmarking organizations with similar attributes will assist Kuiper Leda’s leadership develop strategies to meet the customers sudden increase in demand and emerging requirements. Kuiper Leda’s leadership can incorporate the concept of supply chain management that Virgin Atlantic Airlines, JC Penney Inc., Dell Inc., and Sears Holdings implemented. “The idea is to apply a total systems approach to managing the entire flow of information, materials, and services from raw materials suppliers through factories and warehouses to the end customer” (Chase, Jacobs, & Aquilano, 2006, p. 406). Implementing Wal-Mart’s forecasting strategies will assist in identifying demands based on historical data and other external factors. “To be of value for the purpose of forecasting, any independent variable must be a leading indicator” (Chase, Jacobs, & Aquilano, 2006, p. 537).

Furthermore, Kuiper Leda’s leadership can...