Vendor Managed Inventory services are gaining ground. This article considers the challenges to implementing managed inventory programs, whether a manufacturer or a distributor is providing VMI to customer. MDM spoke to Fastenal and Updike Supply, as well as inventory expert Jon Schreibfeder and two vendors to gain perspective on current trends in VMI.

With uncertainty dominating the economic landscape, companies are continuing to look for ways to cut costs. Many have already cut staff and production to levels not experienced in decades. They have outsourced tasks that could be done for less outside of the firm. But what about inventory management?

More customers are showing interest in using inventory management services from their suppliers, according to those who supply those services. Many larger public distributors …