performance Evaluation of Lean Inventories Distribution on Reducing the Number of Missing Inventories to the Last Mile Evidence from Zola off Grid Electric Company

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