Lagerstrategin

Lagerstrategin describes the set of policies and practices used to determine how much inventory a company should hold, when to reorder, and how to coordinate purchasing, production, and distribution to meet demand while controlling costs. The aim is to balance holding costs, obsolescence risk, and stockout risk, and to ensure reliable product availability. The strategy is shaped by demand patterns, supplier lead times, product value, and service requirements.

Core elements include demand forecasting and demand planning; inventory policies such as continuous review with fixed order quantity (EOQ) or periodic review; reorder points and safety stock to protect against uncertainty; and classification methods like ABC analysis to prioritize items. Lead time management and supplier reliability are crucial, as longer or more variable lead times increase safety stock and planning complexity.

Common approaches within lagerstrategin range from traditional reorder point systems to lean and just-in-time variants. Techniques such as Kanban, vendor-managed inventory (VMI), and collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment (CPFR) aim to reduce mismatches between supply and demand. IT systems, including ERP and materials requirements planning (MRP), support real-time visibility and optimization.

Applications span manufacturing, retail, and service sectors, where effective inventory strategy improves service levels and cash flow. Key performance indicators include inventory turnover, service level, stockouts, carrying costs, and days of inventory on hand. Challenges include demand volatility, supply disruptions, data quality, and misalignment between planning horizons.

See also: inventory management, supply chain management, demand forecasting, EOQ, JIT, Kanban.