Stock maintenance by telephone-one step towards integrated manufacturing control in a multi-shop manufacturing complex

The Kearny Works of the Western Electric Company employs some 14,600 people, who are involved in the manufacture of a wide variety of electrical equipment, and their electrical and mechanical components. Thirty production shops operate more or less autonomously to manufacture some $200,000,000 of product each year. These shops obtain parts, components and raw material from outside suppliers, and from other shops and Works in the Company. They sell to other shops and Works, Bell System Companies, and the Government. Stock investment in independent storerooms associated with the various shops is considerable, and its effective control is always of strong concern to management. It was recognized early that introduction of Operations Research and Computer methods would be of considerable benefit.