Varamäärän

Varamäärän is a Finnish term that translates to "reserve quantity" or "contingency stock" in English. It refers to a specific amount of inventory held by a company or organization to buffer against unexpected fluctuations in demand, supply chain disruptions, or production delays. The primary purpose of maintaining a varamäärän is to ensure business continuity and prevent stockouts, which can lead to lost sales, damaged customer relationships, and increased costs.

The optimal level of varamäärän is determined by various factors, including lead times for replenishment, demand variability, service level targets, and the cost of holding inventory versus the cost of a stockout. Companies often use inventory management software and forecasting techniques to calculate and adjust their varamäärän levels dynamically. A varamäärän can apply to raw materials, work-in-progress, or finished goods. Properly managed, it helps to stabilize operations and meet customer commitments even under challenging circumstances. However, excessive varamäärän can tie up capital and increase storage and obsolescence costs.