NS, the Dutch national railway operator, has sourced fasteners from Fabory since the 1960s, with the customer relationship dating back to 1968. Today, Fabory supports NS maintenance operations with a managed supply solution covering fasteners and a wider range of maintenance products.
Every week, Fabory supplies and replenishes around 15,000 different items sourced from more than 100 suppliers. By combining this large assortment with Fabory Logic inventory management, NS can focus more on maintaining trains rather than routinely managing thousands of stock items.
Results at a glance
15,000 different items
A wide range of maintenance items is supplied and replenished for NS each week.
100+ suppliers
Products from more than 100 suppliers are consolidated through Fabory into one managed supply solution.
Customer since 1968
The long-standing relationship between NS and Fabory spans more than five decades.
The challenge: managing thousands of maintenance items
NS carries out technical maintenance, service and overhaul activities across multiple locations in the Netherlands. These operations require a large range of fasteners and other relatively low-value maintenance products to be available when technicians need them.
Managing thousands of individual items internally would require significant time and attention. The challenge is particularly important for fasteners used in demanding rail applications, where correct product identification, technical requirements and traceability can all matter.
NS therefore wanted a supply arrangement that could support product availability without requiring its own teams to actively manage routine stock replenishment.
The solution: Fabory Logic managed inventory
NS uses Fabory Logic to manage much of its maintenance inventory. The solution includes a two-bin replenishment method with Z-Bin labelling, supported by Fabory merchandising and stock management.
The supplied range extends beyond standard fasteners to include safety products, tools, air couplings, electrical components, greases, and lubricants. Fabory consolidates products from more than 100 suppliers before supplying them into NS maintenance operations.
NS also uses Fabory kitting services where components need to be grouped together for specific maintenance requirements.
How the two-bin replenishment system works
1. Two bins hold each item
Two labelled bins are positioned one behind the other at the designated stock location.
2. The first bin is consumed
When one bin is empty or removed, the second bin provides working stock while replenishment is arranged.
3. Fabory scans the location
A Fabory merchandiser scans the article code at locations where a bin is empty or missing.
4. Stock is replenished
Fabory orders replacement stock and returns it to the location during the next replenishment visit.
Stock levels based on actual consumption
The process begins with expected usage, including anticipated weekly, monthly or annual consumption. Fabory uses this information to establish appropriate stock levels for each product and location.
Once the system is operating, actual consumption can be monitored against the original forecast. If usage changes, Fabory can recommend adjustments to the stock held at the location, helping align inventory more closely with operational demand.
“We don't want to have to worry about the availability of articles. We do not actively keep track of the stock management ourselves, Fabory does that for us.”
Casper Verboord, Contracts Manager, NS
Consolidating more than 100 suppliers
The inventory-management challenge extends beyond physically replenishing bins. NS also benefits from consolidating products from more than 100 upstream suppliers through Fabory.
This reduces the number of individual supplier relationships, delivery arrangements and purchasing processes that NS needs to manage for these maintenance products. Fabory coordinates the supply chain and delivers the required assortment into the agreed NS locations.
Clear product identification with Z-Bin labelling
The two-bin system is supported by Z-Bin labels that help identify each product and its designated stock location. Product information can include the item identity, warehouse origin, bin location, agreed minimum and maximum quantities and packaging specifications.
This structured identification supports accurate replenishment and gives NS and Fabory a consistent reference for products used across the maintenance environment.
Technical support for rail applications
Many of the fasteners used by NS operate in applications with demanding technical requirements. Fabory's technical and quality specialists therefore work with NS stakeholders on fastener applications, product information and relevant rail-industry requirements.
Product data and traceability help NS verify that the supplied fasteners correspond with the required specifications for individual applications.
Keeping NS focused on train maintenance
The purpose of the managed inventory solution is to move routine stock management away from NS maintenance teams. Fabory manages replenishment, reviews consumption and coordinates the wider supply base, while NS remains focused on servicing and maintaining trains.
The collaboration demonstrates how inventory management can go beyond product supply by combining replenishment, supplier consolidation, product identification, technical support and kitting within one structured solution.
Download the full NS case study
Read more about how Fabory manages thousands of maintenance items for NS using Fabory Logic, two-bin replenishment, Z-Bin labelling and supplier consolidation.
Download the customer case|
Fabory Logic
Want to simplify fastener and C-part inventory management?Talk to Fabory about a managed inventory solution designed around your products, consumption and production or maintenance requirements. Contact Fabory |
