THE RELEVANCE OF INVENTORY MANAGEMENT IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF THE GRAIN PROCESSING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY

Abstract

This article analyzes the relevance of inventory management in the supply chain of the grain processing machinery and equipment industry, focusing on its implications for operational efficiency. The research, theoretical in nature and with a descriptive-exploratory approach, was developed through a systematic literature review of books and specialized journals in the fields of logistics, operations management, and supply chain management. The study is structured around three topics: the inventory management methods and practices applied to the sector, the relationship between inventory control and the efficiency of logistics and production processes, and the role of inventory management in supply chain integration and performance. The results show that the adoption of more consistent inventory management practices, such as ABC classification, cycle counting, and safety stock management, significantly contributes to reducing operational costs, preventing supply disruptions, and ensuring the continuity of production processes within the supply chain. It is concluded that inventory management represents a strategic factor for competitiveness and improved performance in the sector in the face of uncertainties in the global market, recommending investments in technologies and collaborative practices with suppliers and distributors.