鋼鐵產業庫存管理策略之探討

鋼鐵及有色金屬屬於大宗原物料之範疇，鋼鐵產業上中下游形成非常緊密的一個產業，中不可或缺的一環。鋼鐵產業屬於重資本、低毛利傳統產業，自入料到生產出貨，整個流程常需耗時三到六個月；自2002年後之20年間有色金屬與鋼鐵波動劇烈，而在價格下跌或劇烈波動之時，身為鋼鐵產業的上中下游層承擔著巨大的風險與庫存跌價損失，鋼鐵貿易業面臨供應鏈複雜性、價格波動和需求變化等挑戰，因此，優化庫存管理和整合資訊科技變得至關重要。本研究旨在探討鋼鐵業庫存的管控對公司獲利的影響，特別聚焦於各種不同干擾因素造成庫存採購及管理的影響，及對於公司獲利與資金利息等隱性影響。透過深入分析個案公司歷年庫存採購的歷史資料和市場價格趨勢，評估了公司在鋼鐵庫存方面的管理策略及其造成經營過程中獲利實際影響。研究中涵蓋的主要方面包括庫存水位的隨時跟蹤、供應鏈供貨的彈性空間、公司資金水位之管理、庫存成本的控制、市場供需的預測以及與自由經濟市場的期貨炒作影響。這些綜合要素體現公司的庫存管理影響一家公司的獲利與否。本研究進而探討如何更精進有效管理鋼鐵產業之庫存管理、降低庫存跌價損失進一步增加獲利提升公司市場競爭力。將探討不同的庫存管理策略和資訊科技工具，如物聯網（IoT）和大數據分析，如何共同作用以提高鋼鐵貿易商的業務量。希望藉由本研究，能歸納出更佳判斷原則，優化鋼鐵同業庫存管理；並提供給業界和決策者有關鋼鐵庫存管理最實用見解。

關鍵字

鋼鐵產業；庫存管理；供應鏈；貿易商；策略

並列摘要

Steel and non-ferrous metals belong to the category of bulk raw materials, and subsequently steel trade is an indispensable link between both the upstream and downstream market in the steel industry. This industry is considered as a traditional industry that heavily relies on large capital, with low-margin. The entire process starting from raw material input to production and shipment, often takes three to six months. Twenty years since the year 2002, the non-ferrous metal and steel industry has experienced tremendous fluctuations, with sharp spikes and dips in prices, leaving the upstream, midstream and downstream users bearing huge risks and potential loses from volatile changes seen in inventory depreciation. The industry faces challenges such as supply chain complexity, price fluctuations and demand changes. Therefore, it is crucial than ever to optimize inventory management and integrated information technology. This study aims to explore the impact of inventory control on company profits in the steel industry, with an emphasis on the impact of inventory procurement and management caused by numerous hindering factors, as well as the hidden impact on company profit and capital interest. Through an in-depth case study analysis of over the year company historical inventory purchasing data and market price trends over the years, an evaluation of the company’s inventory management strategy and its definitive impact on profits during operation were conducted. The main areas covered in the study include: tracking of inventory levels at any given time, supply chain management flexibility, management of company capital levels, management of inventory costs, forecast of market supply and demand, and the impact of speculation on the free economic market. Moreover, these combined factors reflect the significance of a company’s inventory management towards profitability. Additionally, the study further delves into achieving more effective inventory management in the steel industry, reducing inventory depreciation losses, further increase profits, and enhance company market competitiveness. Furthermore, evaluate different inventory management strategies and information technology tools, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data analysis, working in a collective effect to elevate business volume for steel traders. It is hoped that through this research, better judgment can be asserted to optimize inventory management in the steel industry, and deliver the most practical insights on steel inventory management to those in the steel industry, related to the industry, as well as decision-makers.