"We carry too much inventory, and we still run short."
Stock levels set by habit rather than policy, unclear safety stock logic and planning parameters that no one trusts.
Inventory management →Manufacturing & Supply Chain Consulting · London & Southwestern Ontario
Better plans. Leaner inventory. Operations that deliver.
ABCAN helps manufacturers fix the way they plan, schedule and control their operations, from S&OP down to the shop floor. Senior, hands-on guidance from a practitioner who has done the work, not just advised on it.
Industries: Automotive · Engineered products · Process industries
Instructor, ASCM London District Chapter
Where we help
Problems we're usually called in to solve
Most operational problems are planning problems in disguise. If any of these sound familiar, we should talk.
"The schedule changes every day."
Firefighting on the floor because the master schedule, capacity and material plans aren't connected.
Planning & scheduling →"Sales and operations work from different numbers."
No single, agreed plan, so forecasts, production and finance pull in different directions.
S&OP →"Our ERP isn't giving us what we paid for."
Weak processes and master data automated into a system, or a new ERP project about to start without a clear baseline.
ERP readiness →"Our lean program started strong, then stalled."
5S boards and kaizen events that never became a daily management system or measurable flow.
Lean & JIT →"Our team needs stronger planning fundamentals."
Capable people who were never formally trained in planning and inventory management principles.
Training →For manufacturers
Consulting
Assessment, design and hands-on implementation support across planning, inventory, S&OP, ERP and lean operations.
See consulting services →For professionals & teams
Training & Certification
ASCM certification review courses (CPIM, CSCP, CTSC), in-house corporate programs and customized seminars.
See training programs →Recommended starting point
Supply Chain Maturity Assessment
A structured, SCOR-based review of how your organization plans, sources, makes and delivers, benchmarked against recognized practice and turned into a prioritized improvement roadmap.
- Current-state review of planning, inventory, production and supplier processes
- Maturity scoring by process area, from shop floor to executive level
- Clear identification of gaps, risks and quick wins
- A practical roadmap, sequenced and sized for your resources
Scoping call
A complimentary 30-minute conversation to understand your situation and confirm whether an assessment is the right next step.
On-site assessment
Interviews, process walk-throughs and data review with your operations, planning, purchasing and leadership teams.
Findings & roadmap
A colour-coded maturity report and a prioritized action plan, presented to your leadership team.
Implementation support (optional)
Hands-on help to execute the roadmap, from process design to training your people.
Consulting services
From strategy to the shop floor
Every engagement is led personally by a senior practitioner and built around your people, your products and your existing systems.
S&OP & Integrated Planning
One agreed plan that links demand, supply and financial goals, with a monthly process leadership actually uses.
- S&OP design & facilitation
- Demand management
- Resource & capacity planning
Production Planning & Scheduling
Stable, achievable schedules built on a sound master schedule and realistic capacity.
- Master scheduling (MPS)
- MRP & capacity planning
- Shop floor control
Inventory & Warehouse Optimization
The right stock, in the right place, governed by clear policies instead of habit.
- Inventory policy & segmentation
- Cycle counting programs
- Warehouse layout & flow
ERP Readiness & Selection
Independent, vendor-neutral support to get your processes ready and choose the system that fits.
- Pre-ERP process assessment
- Requirements & RFP
- Vendor evaluation & shortlisting
Lean Manufacturing & Productivity
Flow, pull and standard work that last beyond the first kaizen event.
- Lean & JIT implementation
- 5S & visual management
- Methods & productivity improvement
Supplier Relationship Management
Purchasing that focuses on strategy, with routine transactions automated through partner solutions.
- Supplier performance management
- Purchasing process automation
- Make-or-buy analysis
Our consulting domain
The full planning and control hierarchy
We work across every level of manufacturing planning and control, making sure each plan is connected to the one above it and the capacity beneath it.
Demand side
Forecasting
Demand management
Distribution requirements planning
Priority planning
Strategic & business planning2–10 years · leadership
Sales & operations planning1–3 years · product families
Master production schedule3–18 months · end items
Material requirements planningWeeks · components & purchases
Capacity side
Resource planningAligned with S&OP
Rough-cut capacity planningValidates the MPS
Capacity requirements planningValidates MRP
PurchasingSupplier managementProductionScheduling & OEEInventory & warehousingOrder fulfillmentSupply chain analytics
Selected engagements
Case studies
A sample of past work. Client names are withheld for confidentiality.
Building an in-line vehicle sequencing operation
A 16-station line delivering instrument panels to a major OEM in exact build sequence, with no buffer stock.
Designed and launched in 10 months.
Read case study →Process standardization and ERP selection
Common policies and processes across several plants, followed by a structured, vendor-neutral ERP selection.
35 vendors evaluated, narrowed to two.
Read case study →Automating the purchasing cycle
A supplier relationship management solution that freed buyers from routine transactions.
Live in three weeks, about $50 saved per PO.
Read case study →Training & certification
Build planning capability that stays in your organization
Instructor-led programs taught by an ASCM Master Instructor with more than three decades of classroom and plant-floor experience.
CPIM
Certified in Planning and Inventory ManagementPlanning, scheduling, MRP and inventory management within the four walls of the organization.
Learn more →
CSCP
Certified Supply Chain ProfessionalThe end-to-end supply chain, from suppliers through to customers.
Learn more →
CTSC
Certified in Transformation for Supply ChainLeading digital and organizational supply chain transformation.
Learn more →
In-house
Corporate trainingASCM programs delivered on-site or online for your team, on a schedule that fits your operation.
Learn more →
Seminars
Customized 1–2 day seminars5S, cycle counting, forecasting, S&OP, ERP, lean and kaizen, and supply chain maturity with SCOR.
Learn more →
AB
About ABCAN
Al Bukey, Founder & Principal Consultant
Al founded ABCAN in 1991 after leading operations in several large manufacturing organizations. Since then he has guided manufacturers through operations transformation, ERP selection, JIT and lean programs, production planning and inventory control, and has trained thousands of supply chain professionals.
Every engagement is led personally. Clients work with the person whose experience they hired, supported by a network of trusted specialists when a project needs it.
- MSIEM.Sc. Industrial Engineering, N.C. State University
- CPIM-FFellow, Planning & Inventory Management (ASCM)
- Master InstructorASCM certification programs
- Past PresidentASCM/APICS Toronto Chapter (1999–2001)
Funding support
Through our partner Grant Synergy, eligible clients can explore Canadian and Ontario government programs that may offset part of the cost of training and improvement projects. ABCAN delivers the consulting and training; Grant Synergy identifies and manages the funding applications.
Learn about fundingContact
Let's talk about your operation
Tell us a little about your situation. We'll come back within one business day to arrange a short, no-obligation call.
Phone+1 416 322 2000
LocationLondon, Ontario · Serving Southwestern Ontario and the GTA