Eugene/Springfield Water Pollution Control Facility 1984-1991

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Section H: STOREROOM OPERATIONS ^ OUTLOOK The storeroom has developed into a full storeroom and purchasing operation, and its services are heavily used by the plant. Additional inventory control improvements will occur during the next few years to ensure the storeroom can continue to provide a high level of service to the organization. For example, the existing inventory consists of many equipment parts that were obtained with equipment contracts during plant construction. Infrequently used and nonemergency parts ac- countfor one-third tonne-half of the total value of the inventory on hand. As these parts are used, staff will carefully evaluate whether a stock item should be continued. Careful monitoring will cre- ate aleaner inventory and optimize the use of available storage space. Efforts will also focus on promoting a "just in time purchasing" attitude within the plant. This refers to effective planning to help the plant take deliv- ery of targeted parts and supplies that do not Page 58 qualify as inventory stock items justbefore they are needed. For example, if a mechanic is planning to rebuild a pump in the near future, he/she would give a list of neededparts to stores staff, who would then get price quotes and order and delivery times from appropriate vendors. The actual order would be placed to assure the parts. arrive 10 days before the scheduled rebuild of the pump. "Just in time purchasing" will alleviate storage problems and, by freeing up working capital, make the mostefficient use of funds. Staff also will be evaluating new software that has more inventory capabilities and can bar code in- ventory items. Inventory item price averaging, complete parts listing Of plant equipment, and multiple vendor listing of stock items are a few of the new software functions that would provide more efficient inventory control and purchasing. Barcodingwouldhelp track expendable inventory and, by reducing data entry, reduce costs.