Pull and Push Applied to a Just in Time Supply Chain—Case Study Jerónimo Martins

Abstract

The aim of this case study is to understand what’s the key ingredient for a just in time supply chain and compare the effectiveness of pull and push models in a logistics management environment. The methodology used was the analysis of an article and a thesis case study from Jer&#243nimo Martins (JM) that was published in September of 2014 with the name “Order Cycle optimization in Just in Time (JIT): The case study of JM”, using the content analysis process supported by the qualitative procedures. During our analysis, we have highlighted some important aspects of the retail industry, in this case for the JM Group, with the clear objective of achieving, in the JIT process, the complete elimination of losses, which always occur in a logistic process. For that we verify the Pull and Push approach as a way to try to reach the possible improvements and added value for the previously mentioned case study about the distribution company. For the JM group, given the number of shops and geographical dispersion, we clearly identify that the Kanban methodology is able to promote the best experience both at group level and in terms of customer satisfaction. The Kanban system provides optimal results when the production flow is distributed over time and in an organized way but always in short and quick interventions, but it is not always the most efficient if we think about high volatility of demand.