Operations managers are now more than ever acutely aware of the importance of Manufacturing Lead Times (MLT). Tremendous advantages such as increased flexibility, increased responsiveness, decreased work in process (WIP) inventories, improved due date performance, and decreased finished goods...

Drum‐Buffer‐Rope (DBR) is a relatively new approach to inventory and logistics management that effectively supports reduced manufacturing lead‐time. Previous studies have not emphasized this fact nor explained how it is accomplished. This paper describes DBR mechanics, proposes appropriate...