July 2009 - forward by echain Technology
eChain Technology is engaged in Spring 2009 to continue the improvement efforts of Blue Bird and North American Bus Industries (NABI) to reduce inventory, improve service levels and increase working capital.


Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation, April, 2004
School-bus builder Blue Bird Corp. expects to complete a $12.6 million renovation of its three North America facilities next month. Work began last fall to standardize production at its facilities in Fort Valley and LaFayette, GA, and Brantford, Ontario, Canada. Renovations include just-in-time inventory, point-of-use storage, new paint booths and waste-elimination processes. 

eChain Technology was engaged by Blue Bird Service Parts Division to perform a Supply Chain and Operational performance assessment and operations improvement initiative.  echain identified several areas of immediate inventory improvement and procurement cost reduction for both BB and NABI (North American Bus Industries).  echain consultants analyzed all business operations, prioritized the immediate and profitable opportunities, and drive initiatives that improved stock/service levels for core SKU’s, reduced inventory for slow-moving items, and improved inventory and planning policies in BB/NABI ERP and Planning systems. 

eChain also provided strategic input toward strengthening the BB/NABI operations, and provided service parts pricing analysis and guidance for 2009/2010 parts pricing that enabled Blue Bird to improve margins while discounting a significant percentage of overstock parts.

eChain Technology (http://www.echaintechnology.com) enables companies to achieve world class performance through best practice business strategy hands-on expertise and technology solutions. We provide leadership and execution in many areas of the corporate enterprise that remove all excess waste and cost from business operations leaving you with seamless solutions providing flawless execution that provide a significant cost savings.  Contact Lewis Kilby at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Mr. Lewis Kilby is a 20+ year business and solutions consultant and Managing Partner of echain Technology.