Manufacturer part numbers (MPNS) are one of several important identifiers that companies use to tag and monitor their products.
These identifiers, which are unique for each manufacturer, play several important roles, including streamlining inventory management, standardizing and ensuring the consistency of products across different production lines, and facilitating smoother aftermarket services like maintenance and upgrades.
In this article, we’ll explore manufacturing part numbers in detail, explaining how they work, their benefits, and their applications in different industries.
A manufacturer part number is a distinctive alphanumeric code that a manufacturer assigns to products or the component parts used to make another product. It serves as a distinct label that distinguishes a particular item from others in a company’s production line or inventory, facilitating identification, tracking, and ordering.
Essentially, the MPN makes sure that every item, regardless of how similar it might be to others, can be accurately identified and referenced throughout the supply chain. This ability to accurately identify products is especially important in industries where even slight variations between components can significantly affect functionality or performance.
The MPN consists of numbers, letters, or a combination of both. Its format and length can vary from one manufacturer to another, as can its location on an item or product. For example, some manufactures will directly etch the MPN on the product itself or put it on the product label. Others might only include it in the product’s instruction manual.
MPNs are typically only necessary for products that have similar external appearances but differ in terms of functionality or compatibility with other systems. This includes:
There are many benefits to using MPNs. Let’s look at the most prominent ones.
MPNs provide a clear and consistent way to identify items within an inventory. It helps identify which items are in stock, which ones are running low and which need to be restocked.
For example, businesses can use a particular product or component’s MPN to automatically trigger reordering when its stock level goes below a particular threshold. Such a system ensures that essential items are always available, minimizing the risk of production disruptions and stockouts.
MPNs improve coordination among all supply chain players, including manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers, by providing one language of communication. Using the same MPN ensures that all partners are on the same page.
A well-coordinated supply chain leads to more accurate order fulfillment, reduced shipping errors, and expedited delivery times.
MPNs ensure that the same part is used consistently across different production lines and facilities, maintaining product uniformity and meeting design specifications. It also helps reduce the likelihood of using the wrong part in assembly or manufacturing, which ensures the integrity of the final product.
MPNs, in essence, offer the specificity required to ensure that the appropriate part or component is selected during manufacture or assembly every time, thereby improving operational efficiency and guaranteeing customer satisfaction with the final product.
MPNs also play a role in quality control. For example, if a defect is found in a specific component, the MPN can be used to identify all products that contain the defective part, making it easier to issue recalls or corrective actions.
MPNs are essential for providing aftermarket services, such as spare parts and maintenance. Customer service teams or technicians use MPNs to identify and order the correct replacement parts and ensure that repairs or upgrades are conducted with the right components.
For instance, in the automobile industry, MPNs are used to match replacement parts to specific car models, ensuring that they fit and function as intended. Similarly, in the electronics business, MPNs aid in acquiring the appropriate components for repairs or upgrades, thus maintaining the integrity and performance of the product.
MPNs are typically included in the Bill of Materials (BOM), which specifies all of the parts and components needed to assemble a product.
Accurate MPNs in the BOM enable efficient and precise procurement processes, ensuring that the correct parts are ordered from the appropriate suppliers. This precision decreases the possibility of production delays caused by ordering the wrong or incompatible components.
In global manufacturing environments, different suppliers might use different part numbers for the same type of component. MPNs allow manufacturers to cross-reference parts from various sources. If one supplier runs out of stock, manufacturers can quickly find an equivalent part from another supplier using the MPN.
MPNs enable manufacturers to trace parts throughout the product’s lifecycle, from design and production to maintenance and disposal. This traceability is critical for activities like regulatory compliance, quality control, and recall management.
Manufacturers can use MPNs to track the cost of specific parts, which helps with cost analysis and production budgeting. Standardizing parts with MPNs improves cost management through bulk purchases and optimized inventory levels.
MPNs are used to manage different revisions or versions of a part or product. When a part is updated or modified, a new MPN may be assigned to distinguish it from older versions.
MPNs aren’t the only way to identify products or component parts. There are several additional numbering schemes used in various sectors. Let’s explore some of the most common alternatives.
Universal Product Codes (UPCs) are standardized barcodes that are primarily used in retail stores to identify products at the point of sale. Unlike MPNs, which are unique to each manufacturer, UPCs are globally recognized and standardized, allowing for extensive use in a variety of industries.
They comprise a sequence of black bars and white spaces, together with a 12-digit numeric code. The barcode is typically printed on product packaging and labels.
Serial numbers are unique identifiers assigned to individual items during manufacturing.
The primary difference between MPNs and serial numbers is that while the former typically identifies a type or model of a product or component, the latter is a unique identifier for individual items. So, two items may have the same MPN, but each will have its own serial number.
Serial numbers are commonly used for high-value products, such as electronics or appliances, to track ownership and prevent theft.
Some organizations develop their own internal part numbering systems for identifying items. These are known as custom part numbers. These custom part numbers can incorporate various elements, such as product category, supplier code, or even location of use.
Custom numbers companies develop a numbering system that aligns with their specific requirements, whether it’s for inventory management, production tracking, or internal cataloging.
However, these numbers are generally only useful within the company’s internal systems and may not be recognized by external partners, including suppliers or customers.
MPNs are unique numbers that ensure that every product or component, regardless of how similar it might be to others, can be accurately identified and referenced throughout the supply chain.
As seen, they are used in a wide range of industries, including automotive parts, electronics, and industry supplies. Besides product identification, other major benefits included streamlining inventory management, optimizing supply chain coordination, quality control, and enhancing customer support and aftermarket services.
A comprehensive inventory management system like Cin7 can help you get even more out of MPNs by providing a centralized platform to manage product data and track inventory levels in real time.
Schedule a demo today to learn more about how Cin7 can optimize your MPN usage.
