The most common Italian translation of “Just in Time” is:
- Just in time
- Just in time
In business and manufacturing, the term is often retained in English as “Just in Time” or abbreviated to “JIT,” having now entered common usage in Italian technical language.
Just in Time (JIT) is an industrial management model of Japanese origin that aims to optimize production efficiency by minimizing waste.
This approach, developed in the 1950s by Toyota, requires production to be perfectly aligned with market demand, producing only what is needed, in the quantity required and at the appropriate time.
The basic principle of JIT is to minimize inventories of raw materials, semi-finished and finished products, viewing them as waste to be eliminated.
This cuts down storage costs and the risk of product obsolescence.
Just in Time to respond to Customer requests
The system is based on a “pull” approach, where production is driven by actual customer demand, as opposed to the traditional “push” model that produces for inventory.
The implementation of JIT requires precise synchronization of the entire supply chain and accurate production planning.
Key elements include the Kanban system for material flow management and the Takt Time concept for aligning production pace with customer demand.
The benefits of JIT include increased production flexibility, reduced lead times, improved quality and optimized use of resources.
However, it also requires careful risk management, as a lack of safety stock can make the system vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.
Although born in manufacturing, the concept of Just in Time has found applications in various sectors, including marketing, where it results in more responsive and customized strategies in response to market needs.
Main benefits of the Just in Time model for companies
The main benefits of the Just in Time (JIT) model for companies include:
Cost reduction
- Minimization of inventories of raw materials, semi-finished and finished products
- Lower storage and warehousing costs
- Decreased costs associated with the storage of goods
Production optimization
- Production aligned with actual market demand
- Increased operational flexibility to adapt quickly to changes
- Shortening of production intervals
- Improved material flow from warehouse to production
Quality improvement
- Raising the quality of the final product
- Reduction of defects and rejects through small batch production
More efficient management through Just in Time
- Greater control over the production process
- Improvement of the company’s overall performance
- Optimization of resource use
Risk reduction
- Lowering the risk of product obsolescence
- Decreased risks associated with business investment
Improving relationships
- Improved relationship with suppliers
- Increased customer satisfaction
Increased competitiveness
- Ability to react more quickly to market fluctuations
- Reduced delivery time (lead time).
By implementing Just in Time, companies can achieve a significant reduction in waste, an increase in operational efficiency, and a greater ability to respond to market needs in an agile and flexible manner.