A stock control system originating in Japan where materials are scheduled to arrive precisely when needed.

• A. Just-in-time (JIT)
• B. Electronic point of sale (EPOS)
• C. Minimum stock level
• D. Reorder quantity

Answer: (A)

Just-in-time stock control is a system where materials are scheduled to arrive exactly as they are needed in the production process. Originating in Japan, notably at Toyota, it aims to reduce holding costs and waste by keeping inventory very lean and coordinating deliveries with the production timetable. It relies on reliable suppliers and precise planning, often using a pull-replenishment signal to trigger orders. This description fits perfectly because the focus is on timing deliveries to match production needs, rather than on point-of-sale systems or fixed stock levels.