Airline operators and maintenance organizations were queried regarding their maintenance and inventoryprocedures. Of 175
respondents, 152 were using the reorder point system, and the remainder the material requirements planning (MRP) system. The
surveywas intended to examine the experience of companies using MRP. It indicates that the aircraft parts industrytakes this
system seriously. However, it is more difficult to implement in the aircraft maintenance environment than in a commercial
environment, where the need for spare parts is unpredictable. But if the obstacles are understood and a sound plan is realised by
good management, MRP can be successfullyimplemented, with substantial benefits.
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