Keatah

I mean companies don't need to always be scraping the bottom for minimal parts on hand. Have a healthy supply and slow down product changes so that that supply can be used.

Problem is they're then out-competed by another company which did upgrade, which did use JIT, which did outsource.

And let's not forget these aren't all vertically-integrated companies; if a manufacturing firm comes out with a new model each year, their dealers are kinda stuck stocking it. 

Many companies could have used some of those record profits (from Tax Cuts, etc.) to pay for warehousing (of parts, supplies, inventory) then when The JIT Piper comes calling...They wouldn't be stuck paying the Devil his due...