A system and method for synchronization of a supplier's production with a
manufacturer's production is disclosed. A manufacturer's supply orders
are submitted to suppliers during the manufacturer's production taking
into account the time required to manufacture, transport, unload, stage,
and move the supplies to a location at a production line. Associated with
each supply order is a production delivery time that indicates when the
supplies are needed at the manufacturer's facility. The supplier, upon
receipt of the supply order, starts its manufacturing process to produce
the requested supplies to meet the manufacturer's production delivery
time. The supplies are then shipped from the supplier to the
manufacturer's facility for use in the manufacturer's production line.
Upon arrival at the manufacturer's facility, some supplies may be moved
immediately to the production line. Other supplies may be moved within
minutes or hours of arrival at the manufacturer's facility. In either
case, supplies manufactured by the supplier during the production run are
consumed by the end of the production run so that no inventory for
certain supplies is maintained by the manufacturer.