Point of Use Storage places materials, tools and information exactly where they are needed for the work, at the workstation, within arm's reach, instead of in a central store that operators must walk to. It is one of the simplest and most effective ways to eliminate motion and waiting waste.
Anything the operator needs to perform the standard work should be at the point of use. A tool used every cycle sits on the workstation. A part consumed every minute is stored within reach. A drawing referenced hourly is posted at the station. Central storage exists only for infrequently used items or for bulk replenishment upstream of the workstation buffer.
Every trip to a central store is walking time, motion waste, that adds nothing to the product. Every wait for a tool to be brought over is waiting waste. Point of Use Storage removes both by design. It also simplifies inventory management: what you can see is what you have, and Kanban-triggered replenishment keeps small quantities always available.
Storage at the workstation is small by intent, just enough to cover one replenishment cycle plus a small safety margin. Larger quantities defeat the purpose by cluttering the workspace and hiding problems. The trade-off is more frequent replenishment, which is why point of use storage almost always pairs with a milk run or water spider system.
Point of Use Storage is a small change with large operational impact. It reduces motion, eliminates waiting, and makes standard work faster and more reliable. Combined with 5S and Kanban replenishment, it produces workstations where everything needed is present and everything present is needed.
A material management method in which all parts, components, tools, and documentation required for a specific product or operation are collected and organized into a single kit before production begins.
A scheduled transportation route collecting or delivering materials to multiple locations.
A visual signaling system that helps manage work and inventory by authorizing the production or movement of products.
