JIT purchasing, the vehicle that allows for an uninterrupted flow ofsupplies
through a distribution point, has been credited to the Japanese. However, its basic
elements were practiced in the U.S. during the early 1920s. The events ofthe 1970s and
1980s, from excessive inflation to the oil embargo, motivated companies to reduce
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costs to offset the detrimental economic conditions. During this time, the U.S. began to
focus on JIT purchasing and its success in Japanese companies. Companies that have
implemented JIT purchasing have experienced lower costs, increased quality, design
innovativeness, administrative efficiency and increased productivity.
DLA, recognizing the benefits ofJIT purchasing, started an initiative called the
Buy Response Vice Inventory Program (BRVI). This is a modified commercial JIT
purchasing process. Its elements include: long-term contracting; EC/EDI and Direct
Vendor Delivery (DVD).
Chapter IV provides the results of a questionnaire sent to various suppliers who
are engaged in the BRVI process at DGSC. It highlights problems and successes in the
BRVT process.