Losgröße
Also: Losgrössen, Losgroesse, Losgrößen, Produktionslosgröße, Beschaffungslosgröße, Bestelllosgröße, Fertigungslosgröße
AI-generated
The lot size refers to the quantity of units planned and executed as a coherent unit within a single production or procurement process. It significantly influences setup times, inventory levels, lead times, and costs across the entire supply chain.
Key facts
- The lot size determines how many units are grouped together in a production or procurement process, directly influencing inventory levels, setup times, and costs.
- Large lots reduce transaction costs but increase inventory levels and the risk associated with planning changes.
- The lot size is a planning parameter and is not identical to a batch, which primarily serves as a quality and traceability designation.
- Minimum order quantities and packaging units imposed by suppliers frequently limit the freely selectable lot size in procurement.
What is the lot size?
The lot size describes the number of units grouped together in a single production or procurement lot. It is a central planning parameter in intralogistics, procurement, and production control. It is not merely a question of how much is produced or ordered – the lot size also determines how much storage space is required, how frequently setup operations occur, and how responsive a company can be to demand fluctuations.
There are essentially two contexts: In production, the lot size refers to the number of parts or products manufactured in a single production run without interruption. In procurement, it represents the order quantity consolidated into a single call-off from a supplier – often based on minimum order quantities or packaging units.
How does the lot size work in practice?
Choosing the lot size always involves balancing competing objectives. Large lots reduce the proportional effort associated with setup processes, order handling, and transport – but simultaneously generate higher inventory levels, tie up capital, and increase risk in the event of planning changes or quality issues. Small lots offer greater flexibility and lower stock levels, but result in more frequent setup changeovers and potentially higher per-transaction costs.
For warehouse planning, a larger lot size means that greater storage capacity, higher conveyor system throughput, and possibly additional buffer zones must be factored in. Smaller lots, on the other hand, increase the number of put-away and retrieval operations, placing greater demands on the warehouse management system. Both scenarios have direct implications for system design and staffing requirements.
- Setup time: The more frequently variants are changed over, the greater the impact of setup times – an argument in favor of larger lots.
- Inventory holding costs: High stock levels resulting from large lots tie up capital and generate ongoing costs for space, energy, and shrinkage.
- Supplier dependency: Minimum order quantities often constrain the lot size externally and may deviate from the internally optimal figure.
- Batch vs. lot size: A batch is a quality- or traceability-related designation and does not necessarily coincide with the lot size as a planning parameter.
What matters when defining the lot size?
There is no universally optimal lot size. The classic economic lot size formula (also known as the Andler formula) provides a calculated reference point, but accounts for neither fluctuating demand nor varying supplier terms nor logistical constraints in detail. In practice, it is advisable to review the lot size regularly and adjust it to current conditions.
Relevant influencing factors include: setup costs and effort, inventory holding cost rate, demand structure, supplier terms, shelf life of items, and the capacity of existing storage and conveyor systems. For companies with highly variant-rich production or seasonal peaks, dynamic lot sizing – based on current stock levels and forecast data – may be a worthwhile approach.
Related terms
- ABC-Analyse
ABC analysis is a method for classifying items, vendors, or processes into three priority classes (A, B, C) based on their economic significance. It forms the basis for differentiated decision-making in warehousing, inventory management, and procurement.
- Absatzplanung
Sales planning refers to the systematic forecasting of future sales volumes for defined products, regions, or channels. It forms the foundation for all downstream planning processes in production, procurement, and logistics.
- Bedarfsermittlung
Requirements planning refers to the systematic process by which an organization's future material or goods requirements are determined in terms of quantity and timing. It forms the basis for inventory management, procurement, and warehouse planning.
- Bedarfsmenge
The demand quantity refers to the quantity of an item required at a specific point in time or within a planning period. It forms the basis for ordering decisions, inventory planning, and production planning.
- Bedarfsplanung
Demand planning refers to the systematic process by which a company determines what quantities of materials, goods, or resources are needed and when. It forms the foundation for inventory management, procurement, and warehouse planning.
- Beschaffungsplanung
Procurement planning refers to the process by which a company systematically determines which materials or goods need to be sourced, in what quantities, at what time, and from which suppliers.
- Bestandsführung
Inventory management refers to the system-supported administration and continuous updating of all warehouse and material stocks within a company. It forms the basis for planning, procurement and accounting – and ensures that the book inventory and physical inventory are in agreement at all times.
- Bestandsmanagement
Inventory management refers to the systematic planning, control, and monitoring of stock levels across the entire supply chain. The goal is to ensure delivery capability while keeping capital commitment and warehousing costs within economically viable limits.
- Bestellpunktverfahren
The reorder point method is a replenishment procedure in which an order is automatically triggered as soon as the current stock level falls below a predefined reorder point.
- Charge
A batch is a uniquely identifiable quantity of products manufactured or processed under identical conditions. It forms the basis for traceability, quality control, and legally required recall processes throughout the entire supply chain.
- Chargenrückverfolgung
Batch traceability refers to the complete and uninterrupted trackability of products and materials along the supply chain based on their batch assignment. It enables companies to quickly identify and selectively block all affected quantities in the event of a quality issue or recall.
- Disposition
Disposition refers to the operational planning and control of resources, quantities, and orders in logistics – for example in transport or materials disposition. It encompasses capacity assignment, scheduling, prioritization, and response to disruptions.