One-off, specialised production; tailor-made to meet the individual needs of a specific customer. Usually ‘labourintensive’ (relies on skilled workers not machines).
Batch production
Where products are made in groups / batches; e.g. different sizes, shapes, colours. Can also include products made in stages (e.g. doors, bonnets & engines) which are then assembled.
Flow production
Continuous, mass production of the same product, over and over again. Often ‘capitalintensive’ (relies on machines not skilled workers).
division of labour’
This is where the whole production process broken down into individual stages
Benefits of division of labour
Machines can work 24/7, without breaks or holidays, and at a faster rate than humans
Reduces costs associated with employees in the long term: recruitment, training, wages, motivation methods, appraisals,
consistent quality
Drawbacks of division of labour
May need fixing or updating which is expensive.
Break downs could affect productivity / cause ‘downtime’.
Machines cannot make individual / hand crafted / personal items.
