Lodging Engineer
resort in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The resort on the properties: two for housekeeping, Is your supplies usage documented using
encompasses three properties with mul- two for lighting and one as a central stock- an inventory tracking system? VMI report-
tiple restaurants, a casino, convention room. The Buyer reports that hoarding is ing will help you document your true cost
facilities and hotel towers – all open 24 no longer an issue. They are also enjoy- of MRO supplies.
hours a day, 365 days a year. ing additional savings from quantity dis-
Having trouble submitting a budget? A
The Buyer needs to make sure parts are
counts and fewer rush order fees.
well-documented VMI program can help
available to keep dishwashers running If you are considering moving to a VMI you track your ongoing MRO expenses.
and lights glowing. It’s an important part type program, here are some questions
With growing pressure to add value to the
of customer service. Planning is essen- to help guide you through the decision-
bottom, a smart inventory solution gives
tial. Since the facilities are in a mountain- making process:
properties a competitive edge. Not only
ous region, it’s not practical to hop in a
Are you always sending a staff member does it promise accurate and timely sup-
car to get the needed items. The closest
out to purchase random maintenance ply and new efficiencies, it can curb out-
supplier source may be two hours away.
items? You may be surprised to learn how of-control costs, overstocks and waste.
One common pitfall that this particular much time is being wasted. That means better guest service and loy-
resort was facing was a stockpiling of
Is your staff “hoarding” supplies since it
alty for the long term. null
consumable and repair items. They did
seems that the high usage items are nev-
not have a program in place that would
er on the shelf in the central storeroom?
report out-of stock items. Therefore, facil-
You may have excess dollars tied up in
ity employees did not trust the system and
these types of items.
would hoard items in several locations to
Does your storeroom contain many obso-
make sure it was readily available.
lete supplies that are taking up valuable
To solve these problems, a VMI program
space? A well managed VMI program can
was put into place. Inventory is now kept in
help eliminate this issue.
five storerooms located in three locations
GRAINGER is positioned to
consistently supply the right
product, to the right place, at
the right time.
Our integrated solutions will help
improve efficiency, maximize
productivity and reduce total cost
by helping to minimize customers’
inventory investments, as well as the
time and effort required procuring
them. Focusing on reducing waste
in MRO procurement practices can
be beneficial and tangible for any
organization. For more information,
contact your Grainger representative
or your local Grainger branch
location.
www.grainger.com/inventory
PAGE 9 | Winter 2009 / 2010 | Lodging Engineer
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