The Challenge of Excess Inventory

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 142 views

Optimizing Paving Block Production with the Economic Production Quantity (EPQ) Method in CV. Mulia Tile Concrete Medan

Introduction

In today's competitive industrial landscape, companies in Indonesia must be adept at regulating production to meet consumer demand and avoid losses due to excess or lack of inventory. CV. Mulia Genteng Beton Medan, a company engaged in the production of paving blocks, has faced similar challenges, including excess inventory. To overcome these issues, effective production control methods are essential. One such method is the Economic Production Quantity (EPQ) approach, which helps determine the optimal level of production and optimal time interval to minimize production costs.

The Challenge of Excess Inventory

Excess inventory can lead to significant losses for companies, including storage costs, obsolescence, and opportunity costs. In the case of CV. Mulia Tile Concrete Medan, the company experienced problems with excess inventory, which necessitated the implementation of an effective production control method. The EPQ approach was chosen as a solution to optimize production and minimize costs.

The EPQ Method

The EPQ method works by calculating total production costs, consisting of ordering costs, storage costs, and production costs. By determining the optimal point of production that minimizes total production costs, EPQ helps companies produce products in the right amount at the right time, thus minimizing costs and maximizing efficiency.

Calculating the EPQ

Using the EPQ method, the results obtained for CV. Mulia Tile Concrete Medan showed that the optimal production level of paving blocks per production cycle is 562,165.51 pieces, with a time interval of 5.47 months. This result indicates that the company can achieve higher production efficiency by applying the EPQ method.

Benefits of the EPQ Method

The application of the EPQ method has several benefits for CV. Mulia Tile Concrete Medan, including:

*** Savings for Production Costs ***

The EPQ method helps reduce production costs by minimizing waste and increasing production efficiency. By producing products in the right amount at the right time, companies can avoid excess inventory and associated costs.

Increased Efficiency

The EPQ method helps the company to produce products in the right amount at the right time, thereby increasing production efficiency and reducing stop time. This leads to improved productivity and reduced waste.

*** Better Inventory Control ***

EPQ helps the company to control inventory better, thus minimizing the risk of lack or excess inventory. By optimizing inventory levels, companies can reduce storage costs and minimize the risk of stockouts.

*** Increased Profit ***

By minimizing production costs and increasing efficiency, EPQ can increase company profits. This is achieved by reducing waste, minimizing excess inventory, and optimizing production processes.

Conclusion

The EPQ method has proven effective in helping CV. Mulia Tile Concrete Medan to optimize the production of paving blocks and minimize production costs. The application of this method can increase efficiency, reduce waste, and increase company profits. Expected CV. Mulia Tile Concrete Medan can continue to optimize the production process with the EPQ method, as well as exploring other methods to improve the efficiency and competitiveness in the future.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

CV. Mulia Tile Concrete Medan should continue to apply the EPQ method to optimize production and minimize costs.
The company should explore other production control methods, such as Just-In-Time (JIT) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), to further improve efficiency and competitiveness.
Regular monitoring and evaluation of production processes should be conducted to identify areas for improvement and optimize production efficiency.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted using a single case study, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
The study did not consider other factors that may affect production costs, such as raw material costs and labor costs.
The study did not explore the impact of the EPQ method on other aspects of the company, such as customer satisfaction and employee morale.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Conducting a larger-scale study to generalize the results of this study.
Exploring the impact of the EPQ method on other aspects of the company, such as customer satisfaction and employee morale.
Developing a more comprehensive production control system that incorporates multiple methods, such as EPQ, JIT, and TPM.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Economic Production Quantity (EPQ) Method

Q: What is the Economic Production Quantity (EPQ) method?

A: The EPQ method is a production control technique used to determine the optimal level of production and optimal time interval to minimize production costs. It helps companies produce products in the right amount at the right time, thus minimizing costs and maximizing efficiency.

Q: What are the benefits of using the EPQ method?

A: The EPQ method offers several benefits, including:

Savings for production costs
Increased efficiency
Better inventory control
Increased profit

Q: How does the EPQ method calculate the optimal production level?

A: The EPQ method calculates the optimal production level by considering the following factors:

Ordering costs
Storage costs
Production costs
Demand rate

Q: What is the optimal time interval for production?

A: The optimal time interval for production is determined by the EPQ method based on the demand rate and production costs. It helps companies to produce products at the right time to meet customer demand.

Q: Can the EPQ method be applied to other industries?

A: Yes, the EPQ method can be applied to other industries, including manufacturing, service, and retail. It is a versatile production control technique that can be adapted to various business environments.

Q: What are the limitations of the EPQ method?

A: The EPQ method has several limitations, including:

It assumes a constant demand rate
It does not consider other factors that may affect production costs, such as raw material costs and labor costs
It may not be suitable for companies with complex production processes

Q: How can companies implement the EPQ method?

A: Companies can implement the EPQ method by:

Conducting a thorough analysis of their production costs and demand rates
Using a production control software or spreadsheet to calculate the optimal production level and time interval
Adjusting their production processes and inventory levels accordingly

Q: What are the future research directions for the EPQ method?

A: Future research directions for the EPQ method include:

Developing a more comprehensive production control system that incorporates multiple methods, such as EPQ, JIT, and TPM
Exploring the impact of the EPQ method on other aspects of the company, such as customer satisfaction and employee morale
Conducting a larger-scale study to generalize the results of this study

Q: Can the EPQ method be used in conjunction with other production control methods?

A: Yes, the EPQ method can be used in conjunction with other production control methods, such as Just-In-Time (JIT) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). This can help companies to further improve efficiency and competitiveness.

Q: What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the EPQ method?

A: The key performance indicators (KPIs) for the EPQ method include:

Production costs
Inventory levels
Lead time
Customer satisfaction

Q: How can companies measure the effectiveness of the EPQ method?

A: Companies can measure the effectiveness of the EPQ method by:

Tracking production costs and inventory levels
Monitoring lead time and customer satisfaction
Conducting regular audits and evaluations of the production process

Q: What are the potential risks associated with the EPQ method?

A: The potential risks associated with the EPQ method include:

Overproduction, which can lead to excess inventory and waste
Underproduction, which can lead to stockouts and lost sales
Inaccurate demand forecasting, which can lead to incorrect production levels and inventory levels.