Just-In-Time Assembly and Kitting – Streamlining Production Amid Supply Chain Disruptions
Is your production line ever stopped by a missing part, or do your workers waste time searching for components? These delays are common problems in manufacturing today. At A&G Machine, we have a practical solution. Our assembly and kitting services strengthen your operations against supply chain issues and create a smoother and more efficient workflow.
Why Traditional Methods Struggle
Manufacturing has changed significantly. Keeping large stockpiles of parts was once a common strategy, but this practice now often leads to more issues than it prevents. Excess inventory ties up capital, consumes valuable floor space and becomes obsolete when designs change. Meanwhile, the just-in-time manufacturing philosophy that once promised efficiency now faces new challenges with unpredictable delivery timelines and material shortages.
This is where a reimagined approach to assembly and kitting becomes invaluable. Rather than simply grouping parts together, we’ve built a system that addresses the core pain points manufacturers face in this new environment. Our method creates certainty in an uncertain supply chain landscape.
The A&G Approach to Assembly and Kitting
At its heart, assembly and kitting with A&G Machine means we become an extension of your manufacturing operation. We handle the complete process of gathering machined parts, sourced hardware and electronic components, then transforming them into organized, ready-to-use packages that arrive exactly when needed.
The difference lies in integration. Unlike separate vendors handling different aspects of your project, our assembly and kitting services work hand-in-hand with our machining and fabrication capabilities. When we manufacture components for you, we can immediately move them into our assembly area or kitting department without the delays and potential damage that come with multiple shipments and handling.
Consider a typical aerospace panel assembly. Instead of receiving separate shipments of brackets, fasteners and mounting hardware from different suppliers, you receive a single, complete kit. Each bracket we machined arrives with its specific bolts, washers and nuts already bagged together and labeled. The wiring harness includes all necessary clamps and connectors. Everything is organized by installation sequence, with clear labeling and documentation. Your technicians can begin building immediately, without searching for parts or verifying compatibility.
The Tangible Benefits
This integrated approach delivers more than just convenience. Our partners see measurable gains in their operations, including lower costs and faster production times.
Reduced Inventory Costs and Space Utilization
We send you parts as ready-to-use kits, so you need much less storage space. One customer got back 30% of their floor space that was full of parts. They used that new space to add workstations and build more products.
Labor Efficiency and Focus
The time manufacturing employees spend sorting, counting and verifying components represents a significant hidden cost. With our kitting service, these tasks move to our specialized team. Your workforce can concentrate on value-added assembly work rather than administrative tasks. A medical device manufacturer found their assembly throughput increased by 18% after switching to our kitted components, as technicians no longer lost time gathering parts.
Improved Quality and Traceability
Every kit that leaves our facility undergoes multiple verification steps. We check component counts, verify part numbers and confirm that all elements meet specification requirements. This systematic approach catches errors before they reach your production line. Each kit includes documentation that provides complete traceability—vital for industries like aerospace and medical devices where regulatory compliance is non-negotiable.
Supply Chain Resilience
Perhaps the most significant benefit in current conditions is the supply chain buffer our service provides. We manage your suppliers so you don’t have to. If a part is late, we fix your kit schedule to avoid shutting down your line, and we tell you what’s happening. This keeps your production moving even when problems come up.
Inside Our Process
Our systematic approach to assembly and kitting ensures consistency and reliability across every project, regardless of size or complexity.
Phase 1: Component Management and Verification
We start by managing all your parts. We receive and inspect every component, whether we made it or you sourced it from another supplier. We check each item against its specifications, paying special attention to parts from other vendors that we haven’t inspected before.
Phase 2: Sub-Assembly Operations
When needed, we build sub-assemblies before creating kits. This work can include installing inserts, applying sealants, assembling brackets or making wiring harnesses. Our technicians use detailed instructions and record their work, especially for steps that need specific torque or careful alignment.
Phase 3: Kitting and Organization
This is where the magic happens. Our kitting team works in dedicated areas designed for organization and efficiency. Components are grouped by final assembly sequence, with each kit containing everything needed for a complete unit. We use clear labeling with part numbers, descriptions and frequently barcodes for inventory management. Special requirements like cleanroom packaging or corrosion-inhibiting materials are incorporated as needed.
Phase 4: Quality Assurance and Delivery
We check every kit before it leaves to make sure everything is right. We deliver kits to fit your production schedule, so you get parts when you need them and your floor stays organized.
Real-World Applications Across Industries
The flexibility of our assembly and kitting approach makes it valuable across diverse manufacturing sectors.
Aerospace and Defense
For aircraft manufacturers, a missing bracket or incorrect fastener can halt assembly of a multi-million dollar aircraft. Our kitting service guarantees that all components for specific assembly zones arrive together, properly identified and with complete documentation. One client producing avionics cabinets reduced their installation time by 25% while completely eliminating installation errors related to incorrect parts.
Medical Device Manufacturing
Medical device rules are strict. Our packaging works for cleanrooms and we track every part thoroughly. A customer who makes surgical tools cut their part inventory by almost half and was better prepared for inspections.
Energy and Industrial Equipment
For companies producing large-scale equipment like solar tracking systems or industrial controllers, our kitting service simplifies field installation. We package all components for specific subsystems together, complete with installation hardware and instructions. This approach has helped several energy sector clients reduce their field installation time by over 30%.
Marine and Transportation
The corrosive marine environment demands careful attention to material compatibility and packaging. Our kitting process includes proper segregation of dissimilar metals and corrosion-inhibiting packaging where required. A marine electronics manufacturer eliminated galvanic corrosion issues by implementing our specialized kitting approach.
Implementing Assembly and Kitting in Your Operations
Making the Transition
Implementing our kitting service starts with a partnership. We first analyze your workflow to understand your specific challenges and goals. Then, we begin with a small pilot project to prove the value and work out any issues. This step-by-step method minimizes disruption and ensures the system works for you before a full rollout.
The Future of Manufacturing is Organized
As supply chains continue to present challenges and labor markets remain tight, the strategic importance of streamlined manufacturing processes will only grow. Integrated assembly and kitting represents a practical, proven approach to building resilience into your operations while controlling costs and maintaining quality.
At A&G Machine, we see this service not as a separate offering but as the logical evolution of manufacturing partnership. By handling the complexity of component management and organization, we free our clients to focus on what they do best: designing and marketing innovative products.
The manufacturing landscape may continue to change, but the need for reliable, organized production remains constant. With a thoughtful approach to assembly and kitting, manufacturers can not only survive in this new environment but thrive, turning supply chain challenges into competitive advantages.
