Arrow Asia Pac Ltd, a business unit of Arrow Electronics, announced that it will provide consignment vendor-managed inventory (VMI) service and a Web-based supply-chain tool, CARES (Customer Automated Replenishment System), for the Likom group of companies. Based in Malaysia, Likom is a fully integrated EMS manufacturer of electronics and computer peripherals.

Arrow's supply-chain solutions will help Likom improve materials management efficiency, reduce lead-time and inventory costs, and increase its flexibility to meet customers’ demand.

“Arrow's consignment VMI programme allows customers to delay ownership of inventory and reduce cycle times while increasing the availability of components. CARES provides a powerful, highly flexible yet intelligent system that supports just-in-time, lean and cell-based manufacturing environments," said Gert Labuschagne, vice president of the South Asia region for Arrow Asia Pac. "Our supply-chain solutions will help manufacturing companies, such as Likom, reduce inventory replenishment cycle times and costs, increase materials management flexibility, and enhance supply-chain visibility."

“In line with our plan to grow our OEM business, we are pleased to engage Arrow to upgrade our supply-chain capability. CARES can be accessed from anywhere via the Internet without the hassle of installing additional software. EDI-ready, it can be integrated with our ERP system without any additional IT infrastructure investment," said SS Cheok, assistant general manager of Likom.