Abstract:
ABSTRACT
This study has been done to evaluate the performance of lean inventories distribution ci
reducing the number of missing inventories to the last mile. The research was initiated after
Zola — Off Grid Electric Company experienced the problem of missing inventories to the last
mile which resulted to poor performance in terms of low benefit comparing to the cap.ta!
invested. The overall objective of the study was to assess the performance of lean inventories
distribution on reducing the number of missing inventories to the last mile and the specfc
objective were to determine lean inventories distribution practices used by the Company i71
reducing number of missing inventories, to quantify the extent to which the imp:ementation of
lean inventories distribution strategies has helped the company in reducing the number of
missing inventories to the last mile. To evaluate the benefit attained by Zola — Off Grid Electric
Company on reducing the number of missing inventories. By using random sampling procedure
a sample of 100 respondents from Zola Off-Grid Electric Company in Arusha region were
involved equal to 10% of the respondents including the installations and service agents
transporters, Service points and Service Centers people. Zola officers and Zola customers were
studied. The methods used in collecting were questionnaire, interview and documentary' review
where by the data were well analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences)
software. The findings revealed that Zola — Off Grid Electric Company use demand forecasting
and data analysis, efficient logistics and route optimization as lean inventories distribution
practices. It also show that the implementation of lean distribution strategies have helped the
Company to reduce the number of missing inventories to the last mile. This study recommend
that Zola — Off Grid Electric Company should embrace a culture of regularly assessment of
inventory management processes to identify areas for improvement. They should use key
performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of lean distribution strategies. vi
