Kitting Operations: Strategy & Design

Today’s fast-paced, intricate goods manufacturing industry wouldn’t be where it is without some smart logistics. In this article, we’ll explore one of these techniques – kitting – and how kitting operations can be used to improve the efficiency of product shipments.

What Is Kitting?

Kitting is a technique used in logistics to simplify and streamline the product shipment process. It involves compiling multiple individuals, yet related items into a single ‘kit’ before sending it to a customer. The items are grouped together in a way that makes sense for the customer, such as when purchasing replacement parts, or when buying multiple items that must be used together.

Kitting is a common practice in ecommerce fulfillment – especially among companies that have a diverse range of products to distribute. Retailers, manufacturers, and subscription box companies find the technique helpful to reducing their overall costs and maximizing operational efficiency.

Kitting can also be used to create custom kits for specific customer needs. It is typically done at the request of the customer and involves combining items that may not have been normally sold together. This type of kitting is often used for special promotions, or when a customer wants to purchase a bundle of items at a discounted rate.

Kitting’s Value in the Manufacturing Process

Kitting provides several benefits to manufacturers, including reducing labor costs, speeding up production time and helping ensure product accuracy. By compiling multiple items into a single kit, manufacturers can reduce the time spent finding and packaging individual items or components. This allows them to create more products in less time. Kitting also ensures accuracy, as it eliminates the potential for items being sent out separately that are meant to be used together. This helps prevent customer dissatisfaction due to incorrect orders. Additionally, kitting can help save on shipping costs by reducing the number of packages sent out and providing a more efficient way for items to be tracked.

How Kitting Works in Practice

While it follows a simple concept, kitting isn’t completely straightforward. There are a few steps that need to be taken to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Different businesses go about them in their own ways, but here are the key steps involved:

Identification

The first step is to identify which items need to be included in the kit. This can be done manually, or through a software system that automates the process.

Assembly

Once identified, the items must be gathered and assembled into the kit. This usually involves a sorting process to ensure each item is accounted for and that nothing is missing.

Packaging

The items must then be packaged in a way that ensures they stay together and are easy to transport.

Kitting Operations

Kitting is just one part of the multifaceted, complex system that makes today’s manufacturing and shipping processes possible. By taking the time to understand the technique and how it works, businesses can create effective kitting processes. This will provide both cost savings and customer satisfaction.