ledtider

Ledtider, often translated as lead times, describe the total elapsed time from the initiation of an order or request to the delivery of the final product or service. The concept is central in manufacturing, procurement, and logistics because lead times affect planning, inventory levels, capacity utilization, and customer service. Ledtider can refer to both internal processes (production, assembly, configuration) and external processes (supplier sourcing, transport, customs).

Ledtider comprise several elements: order processing time, supplier lead time, production or assembly time, queue or waiting time, handling and setup time, and transit time. In practice, stages may overlap and variances in supplier performance, batch sizes, and demand volatility can extend the total time. Understanding the components helps managers identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.

Types and measurement: Customer order lead time begins when a customer places an order and ends at delivery. Replenishment or inventory lead time occurs when restocking an item to meet expected demand. Total lead time is the sum of all stages from order to delivery, while cycle time and throughput measure related performance and process efficiency. Organizations often track on-time delivery and fill rate alongside lead time to assess service levels.

Reduction strategies: Improve forecasting to reduce variability, and reduce batch sizes where feasible to shorten processing times. Implement just-in-time practices and closer supplier collaboration, including vendor-managed inventory. Parallelize or streamline processes, and invest in digital systems (ERP, SCM software) for better visibility. Consider decoupling points and localized sourcing to shorten transit times while balancing cost and reliability. Safety stock may be used to protect service levels where variability remains high.

Impact: Shorter ledtider can improve service levels and reduce carrying costs, though they may raise ordering frequency or setup costs. Lead time is a key performance indicator alongside on-time delivery and inventory efficiency.