How Batch Control Improves FMCG Supply Management

Introduction of Batch Control

Inventory management is a critical part of running an efficient business, especially in industries like FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) and medical supplies. These sectors deal with high product turnover, strict regulatory requirements, and complex inventory tracking needs.

One essential feature in inventory management that helps businesses in these industries is Batch Control. Without batch tracking, companies may face compliance issues, product recalls, and stock mismanagement, leading to financial losses and reputational damage.

This article explores how Batch Control can help businesses improve their supply chain, reduce errors, and ensure product safety. We will also provide real-world use cases to demonstrate its practical applications.

The Role of Batch Control in Compliance and Quality Assurance

What is Batch Control?

Batch Control enables businesses to track inventory by batch or lot number. This is crucial for industries where expiration dates, quality assurance, and recall management are essential.

For example, in the FMCG industry, food products have expiry dates that must be monitored. In the medical supplies industry, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment require strict batch tracking for regulatory compliance and patient safety.

Benefits of Batch Control

• Improved Traceability – Easily track products from supplier to consumer.
• Quality Assurance – Ensure products meet safety standards before distribution.
• Faster Recalls – Quickly identify and remove defective or expired products.

Example: Batch Control for an FMCG Business

A food distribution company sells fresh dairy products. Every batch of milk has a different expiry date. If one batch is reported defective, the company needs to recall only the affected batch rather than the entire stock.

Without batch control, warehouse staff would struggle to determine which products are at risk, leading to unnecessary wastage and potential regulatory penalties.

How 8stock Solves These Challenges

8stock is designed to help businesses simplify inventory management with its Batch Control feature. Here’s how:

1. Ensuring Batch Traceability – Businesses can track batch numbers from procurement to sales, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
2. Faster Recall Management – The system allows businesses to locate and isolate affected batches quickly, minimizing disruptions and losses.
3. Regulatory Compliance – 8stock provides detailed batch tracking records, helping businesses meet industry requirements.

Use Case Scenario: FMCG Business

The Challenge:

A beverage distributor sells soft drinks in different packaging sizes. However, they often face issues where expired products remain on shelves because they lack a system to track expiry dates.

The Solution:

With 8stock’s Batch Control, the company:

• Assigns batch numbers to each shipment with expiry dates.
• Automatically prioritizes older stock for sale i.e. First-In-First-Out (FIFO).
• Prevents expired products from being shipped to retailers by being able to identify them via the assigned batch numbers.

The Result:

• Reduced stock wastage
• Faster inventory turnover
• Better compliance with food safety regulations

Use Case Scenario: Medical Supplier

The Challenge:

A pharmaceutical distributor handles thousands of medicines with different expiry dates and batch numbers. Tracking inventory manually led to:

• Errors in stock levels
• Expired medicines being shipped to customers
• Regulatory fines due to lack of proper batch tracking

The Solution:

With 8stock’s Batch Control, the company:

• Tracks medicines by batch number and expiry date which is very crucial in medical industry.
• Ensures compliance by preventing expired products from being sold.
• Provides detailed reports for regulatory audits.

The Result:

• Reduced risk of selling expired medicine
• Streamlined compliance with health regulations
• Better stock visibility and improved customer trust

Conclusion & Call to Action

For businesses in FMCG and medical supplies, Batch Control is essential for preventing errors, improving compliance, and enhancing operational efficiency.

8stock offers a powerful inventory management solution tailored for businesses that need precise stock control. If your business struggles with expiration tracking, recall management, or compliance, it’s time to switch to a smarter system.

➡️ Want to see how 8stock can transform your inventory management? Request a demo today!