Business Administration, Business Process and Supply Chain Management Degree Project (master), 15 higher education points, 4FE06E, Spring 2013 Authors: Jeremy Bellina, Olegs Bodins, Soeren Krieger and Mathilde Olivier Tutor: Roger Stokkedal Title: Managing Upstream Supply Chain in Order to Decrease Inventory Level: A Case Study on the Paper Merchant Papyrus Sweden. Background: The research is based on Papyrus Sweden, a paper merchant, which is facing a decrease in the demand of paper products. It was identified that inventory level reduction is now crucial for the company in order to stay in the market. Therefore, Papyrus Sweden is focused on inventory level and tied-up capital reduction in order to decrease costs and increase net profit. Purpose: This thesis aims to analyze the current situation in Papyrus Sweden in terms of inventory level and activities related to suppliers, and prepare recommendations which could help Papyrus Sweden to reduce its inventory level. Method: The data has been collected through interviews with managers from the supply chain department as well as through a data sample from Papyrus Sweden database given to the researchers. All data was analyzed and compared with the literature review. Data received from the database was processed and transformed in Microsoft Excel in order to make the analysis. Results: The analysis identifies issues in material planning methods, safety stock calculation, ABC-XYZ classification and forecast calculation, on which Papyrus Sweden could act in order to decrease its inventory level. Furthermore, the researchers identify two solutions Papyrus Sweden could implement with its suppliers in order to reduce inventory level which are a Service Level Agreement and a Vendor Managed Inventory system. Keywords: inventory level, material planning method, safety stock, ABC-XYZ classification, forecast calculation, replenishment lead time, supplier relationship, information sharing, Service Level Agreement (SLA), Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) and Collaborative planning, forecast and replenishment system (CPFR).

Planering, styrning och uppföljning är viktiga processer inom materialplanering och inom dess flöde från leverantör till slutkund. Planeringsprocessens aktiviteter kan även ha en avgörande effekt på tillgängligheten av företagets produkter. I detta examensarbete granskas hur planeringen kan optimeras för olika produkter, med målet att ta fram rutiner kring hanteringen av produktplanering för att bidra till en bättre effektivitet ur ett helhetsperspektiv.Det finns ett behov av ett tydligt ramverk för att optimera förutsättningarna för planering av komplexa kundorder. Planeringsprocessen är i behov av kringliggande aktiviteter för ett optimalt utfall och baseras på logistiska och ekonomiska verktyg och metoder. Vid effektiv tillämpning kan ledtiderna reduceras och bakåtplaneringen förenklas, då rätt produkter lagerhålls och orderläggning sker vid rätt tidpunkt, med optimerad beställningskvantitet för att minimera de kostnader som kan uppstå. Därutöver krävs ett helhetstänk, där hela försörjningskedjan är involverad. Relationerna i nätverket är en viktig aspekt för en optimerad planering för säkerställande av en god leveransprecision.Det ramverk som tagits fram inkluderar ett grundtänk med logiskt tänkande, effektiva kommunikationsvägar och rätt sak på rätt plats vid rätt tillfälle. Men det bör poängteras att varje organisation är unik och bör anpassa tillvägagångssätt efter sin egen verksamhet, men ändå tillämpa det tankesätt som ramverket medför. / Planning, control and monitoring are key processes in material planning and its flow from supplier to end customer. The activities within the planning process can also have a crucial effect on the availability of the company’s products. This thesis examines how planning can be optimized for different products, and aims to develop procedures for the handling of product planning in order to contribute to a better efficiency from a holistic perspective.There’s a need for a clear framework to optimize the conditions for the planning of complex customer orders. The planning process is in need of ancillary activities for optimal outcomes and is based on logistical and financial tools and methods. If these are applied effectively, the lead times can be reduced and the backward scheduling can be simplified, since the right products are stocked and orders are being placed at the right time, with the optimum order quantity for minimizing the costs that may arise. Additionally, a holistic approach is required, where the whole supply chain is involved. The relationships within the network are an important aspect for an optimized planning, to ensure a high delivery precision.The framework that have been produced, includes a basic idea of logical thinking, effective communication channels and the right thing at the right place at the right time. But it should be emphasized that each organization is unique and should adapt this approach to its own business, but still apply the mindset that the framework entails.