buffertlager

Buffertlager, commonly translated as buffer stock or safety stock, is inventory held to decouple supply and demand and to absorb variability in demand or replenishment lead times. Its primary purpose is to sustain a required service level and prevent stockouts at critical points of the supply chain, such as production lines or distribution centers. It is distinct from cycle stock, which is consumed as part of normal operations.

Determining the size and placement of a buffertlager involves balancing service level targets, demand variability, lead time variability, and the costs of holding inventory versus stockouts. Methods range from statistical safety stock calculations based on desired service levels and the variability of demand during lead time, to simpler rule-of-thumb approaches. Buffers are often located at decoupling points where variability between stages is the greatest, such as before a critical machine, or at a regional warehouse to cushion regional demand swings.

Management considerations include regularly reviewing demand forecasts, supplier lead times, and inventory performance metrics, and adjusting buffer levels accordingly. Risks of buffertlager include higher carrying costs, risk of obsolescence, and potential masking of underlying supply problems. In lean or highly synchronized systems, buffers may be minimized through improved forecasting, supplier reliability, and flexible production, while buffers remain essential in environments with high variability or uncertainty.

Common applications include spare parts for maintenance, seasonal or volatile consumer demand in retail, and safety stock for finished goods in distribution networks. Related concepts are safety stock, service level, reorder point, and decoupling point in the supply chain.