MOTM

I have been thinking about a way to speed up the Stooge panel order turn
around time.  The way we do it now is:
1 - take your orders  = 3 weeks
2 - tally up and order place the metal order = 1 week
3 - wait for metal shop to deliver as promised in 4 weeks = 8 weeks
4 - find the right time to meet painter and deliver metal =  1 week
5 -  painter has metal = 4 to 5 weeks
6 - find the right time to meet painter and pick up metal =  1 week
7 - inspect and package metal to ship to printer = 1 week (took me 4 this
time)
8 - printer has metal = 3 to 4 weeks
9 - inspect printed metal for rejects and ship =  2 weeks.
So, the whole thing can take 6 months, like it has this time.

I have been giving this serious consideration and I here is a proposed
solution:  I will do the following before I even take orders.  I will
estimate and buy the panels I think we will need.

1 - wait for metal shop to deliver as promised in 4 weeks
2 - find the right time to meet painter and deliver metal
3 -  painter has metal
4 - find the right time to meet painter and pick up metal
5 - inspect and package metal and get final quantity available after rejects

We could start this immediately for the next run of panels in early 2003.
We would not even start taking orders until the painted panels were in my
hand and ready for the printer.  All that would be left after taking orders
would be to send them off to the printer.  There is a significant
disadvantage.  We would have only "X" number of metal pieces based on my
estimate.  Once they are spoken for in the ordering process, then we will
not be able to accept more orders for that metal size.  Sort of a first
come, first served type approach.  Of course, the big advantage is that
Stooge panel turn around time could be closer to 6 weeks instead of 6
months.  and, we might be able to increase the frequency.  But, frequency is
determined by volume.  If I am not processing 150 panels, we just cannot
keep the price reasonable.

I very much appreciate the extraordinary patience of those of you who are
currently waiting for Stooge panel delivery.  And, I would appreciate feed
back from any on the proposed new model for getting quicker delivery
(private off list response please).

Thanks,
Stooge Larry