DSC Logistics efficiently handles distribution for Pioneer’s Industrial Systems and Business Solutions (ISB) and Home Electronics (HEC) divisions. But, that isn’t all; DSC also provides value-added services by assembling home theater kits for the HEC division.

DSC packages a plasma TV panel, speakers, receiver and stand into a home theater system. The biggest challenge stems from the kitting cycle: kitting is light at the beginning of the month, heavy at the end. For example, at the beginning of a month we might get an order of 100 kits; we build, say, 50, on one line, working eight hours a day five days a week. Then, as orders are finalized, we have to up the quantity. By the end of a month we might be running four different lines, 24-7. Our target is 7000 plasma kits a month; at the heaviest times, we can be up to 10,000.

As an integral part of the kit-building process, we maintain a collaborative relationship with Pioneer by understanding the current month sales demands and establishing a flexible solution to meet our customer’s needs. We can flex our well-trained work force and go from one to four lines to handle the spikes in demand that are part of the electronics business. The campus environment of our multi-building Logistics Center means that we can be flexible with equipment and space.

With our inventory visibility across the web, we help Pioneer keep inventory levels low by providing real-time information and  manage the deliveries of components sourced from overseas complicated by long lead times. We also give Pioneer the visibility to knock downs (KDs) not supplied by their previous logistics providers—an added advantage.

In the light manufacturing process, the move to EDI has increased accuracy and real-time visibility. As a kit is built, components are removed from component inventory and added to kit level. DSC software provides an automatic quality control function. As all components are placed in a kit, they’re scanned; if all components are there, a label is generated and affixed to the box.

At DSC, with our systems, processes and flexibility we can provide both distribution and kitting services to help our customers like Pioneer meet their goals. It’s value-added service at its best.