What system uses a pull mechanism to reduce inventory by delivering parts only as needed?

The system that utilizes a pull mechanism to reduce inventory by delivering parts only as needed is Just-in-time manufacturing. This approach focuses on producing goods in response to demand rather than pushing products through the production process based on forecasts. By closely aligning production with demand, Just-in-time manufacturing minimizes excess inventory, reduces waste, and enhances efficiency.

This method operates effectively by coordinating supply chain operations and production schedules, ensuring that materials arrive precisely when required. It streamlines operations, reduces holding costs, and can significantly improve responsiveness to customer needs.

While other manufacturing systems may also address efficiency and inventory management, Just-in-time specifically emphasizes the timing of material deliveries, making it the ideal choice in this context. Lean manufacturing, for instance, prioritizes waste reduction but does not exclusively hinge on a pull mechanism. Continuous flow manufacturing focuses on steady production processes, and batch manufacturing produces items in groups rather than individually, which typically does not align with the pull-based approach central to Just-in-time principles.