What Is Kitting?

Companies can develop robust kitting processes to streamline manufacturing operations and shift your company into a lean manufacturing mindset.

In this post, we’ll discuss the basics of a kitting process.

What Is the Kitting Process?

Simply put, kitting is bundling multiple items, materials, or other components into a single package or kit. Many companies use this bundling process or implement kitting services in the production process and with order fulfillment. Others use the process to accelerate manufacturing workflows.

A common type of unit bundling involves turning many products into a single SKU (stock-keeping unit). This is common in eCommerce companies (think: subscription boxes).

Kitting is also common in the manufacturing process, notably following production. For example, a company can group individual products, parts, or items and put them together to create a single product or item.

The process can also be completed for internal processes, such as inventory management. For example, production lines in a manufacturing process may become too complex. To manage the complexity, a company will take the components of the finished product to another assembly line. On this line, the company bundles the units into one kit.

According to McKinsey, “the kitting process has been particularly well-adapted to lean manufacturing processes such as Pull and Just-in-Time production.”

McKinsey

One way to think of this type of this bundling process is when it comes to assembling a piece of furniture. Different pieces come labeled. Nuts and bolts come in labeled packaging. Any necessary tools may also come in separate packaging within a larger box or package that contains everything.

Kitting isn’t to be confused with sub-assembly. While the processes are similar, this unit bundling tends to happen before sub-assembly occurs. Sub-assembly is when an already assembled unit is designed to be included with other units in a larger manufactured product.

Benefits of Kitting

Maximizing Storage and Warehousing

Organizations can adopt a lean manufacturing mindset by minimizing waste and inefficiency. For some, third-party logistics providers perform the kitting and quality control. This helps maximize floor space and optimize the supply chain by relocating raw materials and other parts.

Maximizing Production Efforts

Speed and efficiency are two benefits of adopting a robust manufacturing bundling process. Workers can save time on the assembly line and process the customer order and finished product faster.

Maximizing Inventory Control and Management

In kitting, individual units are bundled to create a single new SKU. In other words, workers don’t have to look up each SKU piece that goes into the kit.

This process also helps save on labor and shipping, helping to reduce costs.

Examples of a Maintenance Kitting Process

This kind of bundling is particularly helpful for companies that manufacture products—such as furniture—requiring assembly once they reach the end user. Think of the nuts and bolts packaged alongside the wood. Other examples of the process in manufacturing sectors include:

• Electronics: When you buy a mobile phone, the manufacturer packages it with a charger and earbuds.
• Auto manufacturing: Auto manufacturing companies and parts providers use this process to ensure the continued quality of the final product. An example is a kit for an oil change. The kit often includes an oil filter, O-rings and gaskets, and a new sealing washer.

How to Implement a Kitting Process

A robust CMMS can move your efforts to a new level. Sure, a company can perform kitting manually. But digitize your bundling operations with a CMMS like MaintainX.

You’ll be able to manage SKUs, inventory, unit production, and shipping in real time. You can also manage just-in-time manufacturing.

Contact MaintainX today to learn more about the benefits of a kitting process for manufacturers.