INVENTORY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF KENYA ANIMAL FEEDS INDUSTRY

Animal feed manufacturing companies in Kenya have long been shrouded in mystery regarding their operational practices. The article delved into the secrets of successful animal feed manufacturing companies in Kenya in this groundbreaking research. The study examined how inventory management practices impact operational performance in the animal feed industry and aimed to uncover the inventory management practices used by the companies. A sample of 24 companies was selected using a reliable, simple random sampling method from a population of 79 companies. Both primary and secondary data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and descriptive statistics were employed for analysis. The study's results revealed some fascinating insights into the inventory management practices employed by animal feed manufacturers in Kenya. Just-In-Time and Economic Order Quantity were the most widely used inventory management practices, adopted by 28.1% and 26.6% of companies, respectively. Many companies also implemented Vendor Management Inventory and Material Requirement Planning at 23.4% and 21.9%, respectively. The study's most significant takeaway was that effective inventory management practices can significantly improve the operational performance of animal feed manufacturing companies. By adopting these practices, companies can enhance their production processes, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency. The research provides valuable insights applicable to Kenya and other animal feed manufacturing industries. The study was a groundbreaking contribution to the body of knowledge on inventory management practices and their impact on operational performance. The findings provided vital information for animal feed manufacturers in Kenya and offered valuable lessons for companies in similar industries worldwide. By embracing effective inventory management practices, companies can gain a competitive edge, achieve optimal production levels, and streamline operations. Keywords: Inventory management practices, Operational performance, Animal feeds industry CITATION : Moywaywa, M. D. (2023). Inventory management practices and operational performance of Kenya animal feeds industry . The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 10 (2), 1518 – 1526.