Le défi du délestage des stocks chez ArcelorMittal: d'une problématique historique à l'objectivation du processus en vue d'une réduction progressive et durable des coûts

Abstract

Because of the economic conditions linked to their sector, the steel companies are constantly searching for solutions to reduce their expenses. For this reason, ArcelorMittal has been forced, for several years, to limit its costs in order to remain competitive in its sector. Its production policy, based on an uninterrupted activity of its production lines, leads the company to face high inventory levels. This is one of the reasons why the company is bound to fall back on some "destocking activities". This process consists in storing the coils in external storage halls when the firm is no longer able to do so in its own premises. Aware that making some changes in its supply chain management strategy could considerably improve its performance and reduce its expenses, ArcelorMittal is ready to take some measures. In that perspective, the company wants to reduce the utilization of the destocking process because of the high cost (composed of transport and handling charges). For the purpose of decreasing the utilization rate of the "destocking activities", the process objectification, allowing a sensible decision-making, seems to be the best feasible solution. Therefore, the aim of the project described in this thesis consists in objectifying the destocking process. To this end, the different key elements of the company influencing this process, such as its continuous production policy, the system of production campaigns and the strict quality constraints that ArcelorMittal is forced to face, are analysed. Then, is illustrated how the process objectification has been carried out. This objectification consists in using the company's figures to enable a better anticipation of the destocking process. In that perspective, the company's dispersed data had to be collected and grouped in a same file, the stock forecasting tool. Moreover, a forecasting adjustment method for a part of these data, the production forecasts, has been developed. All along the implementation of this project, a special attention was paid to change management and communication with the different players, which is one of the keys to reach an absolute approval of the project. Finally, this work is concluded with an analysis of the impact of the project on the company's destocking process and a proposal of recommendations for ArcelorMittal.