This article was originally published on April 19, 2021 and updated on March 23, 2023
The definition of kitting is to gather a set of products that somehow relate to each other or go together into a kit, or a collection. Kitting combines individual items with individual SKUs into one kit with one SKU, which provides many benefits and drastically streamlines operations.
Kitting is a process performed in many industries that provides a host of advantages to employees, companies, and consumers.
The Kitting Process
Contract kitting providers perform kitting services to many types of companies with a variety of products and items. Regardless of the type of kitting performed, each process shares core similarities. Generally, the kitting process includes:
- Receipt or collection of individual items – the kitting provider receives individual items, usually in bulk packaging for kitting and assembly
- Assembly of all products – the actual assembly of each kit is performed, usually with manual labor
- Quality inspection procedures should be performed during assembly -each kitting assembly process should have a specific work instruction and critical areas for inspection noted
- Packaging – this includes creating one new label for the kit, with one SKU(in an automated system, this removes all individual products from inventory and puts them all into one completed kit)
- Shipping – each kit is then repackaged for shipping to the customer or end-user
Benefits of the Kitting Process
Kitting provides a host of benefits to many companies in a variety of industries. Kitting performed for warehouse and distribution operations allow these companies to streamline operations, receiving fully assembled kits of products they can turn around and ship to their customers or place on a shelf.
Kitting in manufacturing provides operators with the correct components or tools needed at the proper workstation when and where they are required. This saves employees a lot of time and wasted steps to gather various items, and keeps assembly and production lines moving.
Kitting alleviates bottlenecks in many types of industries and streamlines operations for improved productivity. Utilizing a contract kitting and assembly provider can eliminate a lot of in-house labor, allowing companies to focus on their niche manufacturing. Improved productivity enhances the manufacturing process and improves profitability.
High Quality and Efficient Kitting and Assembly Services
Peoria Production Solutions, PPS, has been providing high-quality and efficient kitting and assembly services for more than 80 years. As an ISO9001:2015 registered kitting provider, we provide a level of assurance to all customers of receiving quality kitted products with on-time delivery. PPS offers experience in kitting for a wide range of industries, such as
- Kitting for subscription fulfillment operations
- Creating toolkits including seals, sockets, and other tools safety and first-aid kits
- Kitting of promotional materials
- Human resource and onboarding welcome kits
- Kitting, packaging, and palletizing for the beverage industry
PPS offers experience in kitting these types of products for these industries and many others. Our modern, state-of-the-art facility includes an expansive 130,000 square-foot facility with 17 shipping and receiving bays. This allows for streamlined operations and the capacity to dedicate kitting and assembly stations for improved quality control. Our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system automates all incoming and outgoing materials with lot code traceability and real-time inventory management.
PPS is a leading contract kitting and assembly provider with more than 80 years of experience, the capacity, and resources to fulfill your production needs. We differ from other kitting providers in our not-for-profit status and responsiveness to our customer’s needs. Contact us with any questions and to learn more about how kitting processes can help streamline your operations.