Method.

A comparison of the card with the stock shows immediately whether the accounting has been accurate. Other entries on the stock-card indicate the minimum and maximum amounts of that particular commodity permitted to be held in stock. The card is thus a constant reminder to the stores staff as to when, and in what quantities, replacements should be ordered. Besides this, it records the rate value of the stock shown upon it. The stock-card is really the key to the situation.

The efficiency of the storing arrangements permits of the limitation of supplies for workshops use to the actual requirements of each job. The Stores Branch now deals in issues of small lines down to two ounces in weight, or a single item in number.

We saw a carpenter call in to replenish his bag with two-inch nails. He passed in an order for the quantity required to complete the job he was on. The Storeman took the Loco-40, pushed his scale equipped trolly opposite the right rack, weighed out the quantity ordered, ran his trolly to the delivery counter, tipped the contents of the scoop into the carpenter's pouch, and took a receipt on the docket. Good quick work, where the time taken was negligible, and the security value inestimable.

When the new workshops are established the introduction of the ideal system can be completed, whereby labour costs may be materially reduced and stoppages of machinery prevented. For idle machines always mean an increased percentage of overhead costs.

Now the Loco-40 goes to the stores clerk, who costs up the issue and sends the docket, with all others received during the day and a covering summary, to the costing department, where it is dealt with the following morning. Copies are, at the same time, sent to the chief accountant.

By this method, the actual cost of material for any piece of work is readily available within a few hours of its performance.

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The stores clerk's check when costing has been completed is a protection against failures by storemen to carry out instructions. A reading of the stock-cards with a corresponding check of the items shown makes stock-taking a matter of the greatest simplicity instead of a month's nightmare annually.