Andrew Seay provides an article that identifies five ways your inventory costs are hurting your bottom line.  For its status as the arch-enemy of “lean manufacturing,” excess inventory can actually feel pretty good in a company:  It prevents lost sales due to stock-outs.  It provides peace of mind when a critical piece of equipment breaks.  Ordering in bulk often reduces piece price, providing a benefit to cost-of-goods-sold (COGS).  If anything, inventory can often feel like it’s saving a company money….