Final answer:
Maintaining strong relationships with suppliers is critical to the success of JIT inventory management.
Step-by-step explanation:
One critical aspect of just-in-time (JIT) inventory management is maintaining strong relationships with suppliers. To ensure success, suppliers must be located within a one-day drive of the main assembly plant. Maintaining strong relationships with suppliers is critical to the success of JIT inventory management.
This proximity allows for daily delivery of parts, eliminating the need for large inventories and reducing the risk of receiving defective parts. Furthermore, JIT relies on suppliers' ability to quickly respond to orders and provide high-quality products. Strong relationships with suppliers are crucial for effective JIT implementation.