You imagine healthy companies just having 17% of total investment sitting around in warehouses because they might need it someday? I encourage you to read up on Lean Manufacturing and just-in-time delivery, which swept the US in the 1980s. Even to an MBA, over-ordering gear by $50 million is pretty obvious waste.
To be fair the healthy percentage depends on other variables. If there is enough of a "bulk discount" and it doesn't depriciate or obsolete the 17% may be smart compared to the alternatives.
>You imagine healthy companies just having 17% of total investment
I imagine healthy companies keep enough manufacturing parts to be able to repair/replace/scale as needed. Particularly a company like tesla which is well known for scaling rapidly.
> I encourage you to read up on Lean Manufacturing and just-in-time delivery, which swept the US in the 1980s.
These are only efficient when you are pushing all your externalities on the other guy. Tesla doesn't globalize their supply chain nearly as much as other manufacturers, which would explain the stock of machinery.
Your first bit is just tautological. Yes, healthy companies are healthy. The questionable part is your notion that 17% of investment is healthy.
As to the bit about Lean Manufacturing, you're just wrong. Toyota in particular is known for close relationships with suppliers where they are well supported and trained in Lean approaches as well.
