The difference between push- and pull-based models is summarized by which of the following slogans?

Understanding the difference between a push system and a pull system is important when it comes to managing product inventory as it is distributed to consumers.

Ensuring that inventory is appropriately distributed from the manufacturing facility to wholesalers and retailers can make a significant difference when it comes to reducing waste—a core principle of Lean Manufacturing.

In this post, we'll describe the differences between push and pull systems and provide some examples to help illustrate why pull system is often preferred when it comes to following lean principles.

Download our Ultimate Guide to Lean Manufacturing →

Push vs. Pull System

What is a Push System?

In a push-based supply chain, products are pushed through the channel from production up to the retailers. This means that production happens based on the demand forecast.

Using a push system is preferable in instances where there is a high demand for a given product, and having large amounts of inventory in stock is beneficial for meeting consumer demand.

What is a Pull System?

In a pull-based supply chain, procurement, production, and distribution are demand-driven rather than based on predictions. Goods are produced in the amount and time needed.

Pull systems are often preferred in situations where there is limited demand for a specific product, or when the cost of managing excess inventory outweighs the benefit of having a surplus of product in stock.

Increase productivity and drive continuous improvement with Tulip

Digitize your lean manufacturing practices, collect and analyze data in real-time, and remove communication barriers.

View Our Lean Manufacturing Solutions

The difference between push- and pull-based models is summarized by which of the following slogans?

Limitations to Work in Progress (WIP)

If a company explicitly limits its work in progress (WIP), then they are using a pull system. If not, they are using a push system.

What this means is that a pull system starts production only if the WIP limit has not been reached. If there is space available for more WIP to happen, a new order can be released. However, in a pull system, all of the allowed WIP would have already been in the queue.

Differences between Push vs Pull

The difference between push- and pull-based models is summarized by which of the following slogans?

Push System – No dependency on Demand nor limits on WIP

A company using the push system will forecast demand and employ the Material Requirements Planning (MRP) process to produce goods and services ahead of time. This is related to the Just-in-Case concept.

This forecast may not always be accurate and will require inventory stockpiling, but it remains a useful strategy for products that tend to have a lot of work in progress (WIP) or long lead times.

The push system is particularly useful for products with low demand uncertainty or with high importance of economies of scale in reducing costs.

Push System Example

The Material Requirements Planning (MRP) mentioned above is a push system since there are no prior WIP limitations. Goods are produced under the master production schedule with no regard to the current status.

Pull System – Dependent on Demand and limitations to WIP

The Pull System is a lean manufacturing method that uses the Just-in-Time strategy of not producing goods until an order is received. Instead of forecasting demand, the pull system produces ‘as needed’.

This is particularly useful for companies that deal with high demand uncertainty, low product mix, and low importance of economies of scale.

Pull System Example

The classic Kanban is a pull system since there are a fixed number of cards available, and this limits the WIP.

The Benefits of Using a Hybrid Push-Pull Strategy

As with Just-in-Time vs Just-in-Case, Push vs Pull is not black and white. Most companies have some sort of a hybrid of the two, on a spectrum between the two ends.

The push-pull strategy is usually suggested for products with high demand uncertainty and high importance of economies of scale.

Example

Dell pre-orders and stocks up on raw materials and components. However, from this point on, they do not produce their computers until an order is actually placed. They initially “push”, but then switch to “pull’’ in the production and assembly process.

Streamline your supply chain with Tulip's Frontline Operations Platform

Learn how a system of apps can help you track production from raw material to finished product with a 30-day free trial.

The difference between push- and pull-based models is summarized by which of the following slogans?

Which supply chain model is Summarised by the slogan make what we sell not sell what we make?

The difference between push- and pull-based models is summarized by the slogan “Make what we sell, not sell what we make.” The future Internet-driven supply chain operates like a digital logistics nervous system.

Which of the following a supply chain model is designed to be driven by actual customer orders?

Pull-based refers to a supply chain driven by actual customer orders or purchases so that members of the supply chain produce and deliver only what customers have ordered. Pull-based models are better.

Which metric is based on the relationship between the revenue?

Another important metric is the customer lifetime value (CLTV). CLTV is based on the relationship between the revenue produced by a specific customer, the expenses incurred in acquiring and servicing that customer, and the expected life of the relationship between the customer and the company (Sabri, 2003).

Which of the following describes a system for minimizing inventory by having components arrive exactly at the time they are needed?

The just-in-time (JIT) inventory system minimizes inventory and increases efficiency. JIT production systems cut inventory costs because manufacturers receive materials and parts as needed for production and do not have to pay storage costs.