Kitting Service Simplifies Service Parts Management

In the electronics industry, kitting is a service commonly used on the forward side of the supply chain. Many manufacturers prefer to outsource their new package assembly projects to third-party vendors, who then deliver them to customers. 

But kitting can be equally valuable to electronics manufacturers and service providers who manage spare parts inventory in the reverse supply chain. These companies typically have service level agreements (SLAs) with their customers that contractually obligate them to repair or replace malfunctioning equipment within a specific amount of time – no matter where in the world they are located. In order to meet this obligation, they need to have the right service parts in the right place at the right time. This is easier said than done. 

For companies that don’t have brick-and-mortar locations around the world, the ability to outsource global logistics support in the form of strategic stocking locations gets them one step closer to being able to meet SLAs. The next challenge is to make sure that equipment repair contractors know exactly what to do with the parts that are stocked in those hubs. Confusion can cause costly delays. That is where kitting can make a big difference.

ReSolve builds service repair kits for field support to meet customer specifications. The components inside the kits can come from franchise or independent distribution sources, but often they come straight from the customer’s own product returns stream. After teardown, the components are sorted, tested, and inspected for fault. Non-faulty components can be reintroduced into the company’s service parts inventory. But instead of just sending back a shipment of tested memory sticks, for example, ReSolve can properly kit them so they are ready for use. That could mean making sure the memory sticks are properly labeled, repackaging them according to manufacturer specifications, and adding literature that will help a repair person install the part correctly. Or kitting could mean packaging a service part with other components and accessories that will be needed during installation. For example, a replacement LCD screen could be kitted with a bezel and the screws that hold it in place.

ReSolve can kit spare parts for your company quickly, accurately, and efficiently, helping you to simplify service installation and improve customer serviceability. Or, we can manage your reverse supply chain from top to bottom, using our global market intelligence to source parts when they are needed. Visit our website to learn more about our kitting or vendor-managed inventory solutions.