Autumn and production: how to prepare your company for the new season
The beginning of autumn — is the start of a new production cycle for enterprises, plan review, launch of new product batches, and preparation for the peak pre-holiday months.
In this article, we will discuss how manufacturers can adapt to the seasonal changes, avoid chaos, and make production as efficient as possible.
Review stock, production plans, check equipment
Summer often brings a decline in activity, while September — a sharp increase. After summer:
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Review analytics, data on production from the previous autumn-winter season, plan promotions and discounts, plan the product range for the current autumn period.
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Conduct an inventory of raw materials and finished products.
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Check suppliers: whether they are ready for increased volumes.
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Check expiration dates and relevance of raw materials due to assortment changes. Decide which stock can be used and which should be written off or left for the next summer season.
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Update equipment if necessary.
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Set up the accounting system to control the production process and generate error-free reporting.
Optimize processes
Establish connection between production and sales
During summer vacations, production may switch to order-to-order mode without special planning: raw materials are consumed slowly, no rush in orders, time to replenish materials and produce on time. In autumn, products must be changed to more relevant ones, new production lines launched, and “summer” lines slowed down. During this period, when everyone actively returns to work, lack of planning and control can lead to collapse.
To make production flexible to changes in customer orders:
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Use route sheets to control each production operation and for real-time material write-offs — especially convenient for complex products and when launching new production.
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Use production acts for established production or small product batches.
Take care of staff
After summer, many employees return from vacation, some have children starting school, others change their schedule. Effective work comes from not overworked, calm, and motivated employees who clearly know their duties and schedule.
To ensure staff works systematically, diligently and without overlaps:
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Review shift schedules — agree on working hours with employees.
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Hold a short briefing: what changes, what are the autumn-winter goals.
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Add motivation: performance bonuses, support for newcomers.
Learn more about how to launch your own finished goods production here.
Useful links:
How to create a purchase invoice for production in Torgsoft accounting software?
How to import a supplier’s purchase invoice into accounting software?
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