2. Methods of production

• Define the term job manufacturing

   Job manufacturing is one-off production, each product is made to customer requirements and is therefore unique. This means the person producing the product has to spend considerable time on it, making it more expensive
• Give one advantage and one disadvantage of job manufacturing

  One advantage of job production is each piece is made to the customers exact requirements therefore being more personal

  One disadvantage is the products are more expensive because they are labor-intensive and this makes it more difficult to compete with other businesses
• Define the term batch manufacturing

  Batch manufacturing is when goods are produced in batches so several of the same product is made. Once the first batch is produced the second is made, this speeds up the manufacturing time 
• Give one advantage and one disadvantage of batch manufacturing

  One advantage of batch production is the workers may specialise to some degree

  One disadvantage of batch production is the work is less interesting than job production and becomes repetitive
• Define the term flow production

  Flow production is also known as mass production or assembly line production. Its the method typically used in factories and involves one product being made continuously and in larged numbers. The product moves along an assembly line and parts are added on the way 
• Give one and advantage and one disadvantage of flow production

  One advantage of flow production is the final product is inexpensive meaning there is good profit margins

  One disadvantage is the work is repetitive and boring
• Define the term process manufacturing


  Process manufacturing refers to the manufacturing of goods which cannot be disassembled. It involves the combination of ingredients according to a formula or recipe rather than assembly of parts. This manufacturing is usually in bulk and the manufacturing is continuous
• Identify and explain the four types of specialization

  There are four types of specialization, the first type is product meaning specialising in one particular product. Another type is process this is using a particular way of producing product. Another type is function this is specialising in a particular job. The final type is country for example France specializes in wine
• Give one advantage and one disadvantage of specialization

  One advantage of specialisation is people can work at jobs which suit their special skills or training.

  One disadvantage is specialized workers are trained in only one skill so it may be difficult for them to find other work if they become redundant
• Explain the term division of labor

  Division of labour is a certain type of specialization which involves each employee being giving a single task which they do repeatedly
• Give one advantage and one disadvantage of division of labor

  One advantage of division of labour is more efficient as a worker becomes more skilled at the job they are doing and therefore produces more.

  One disadvantage is the workers may become bored and demotivated because they are doing repetitive tasks. Risks of accidents increase due to loss of concentration
• List the two types of inventory

  There are two types of inventory, raw materials for use in making products and the finish products ready for sale
• Explain two benefits of having good inventory control

  One benefit of having good inventory control is improved efficiency because manufacturing will be constant

  Another benefit is enables the business to always meet demands of customers
• Explain two implications of poor inventory control

  One implication of poor inventory control is it means that cconsumer demands cannot be met.

  Another implication is it requires extra warehouse space which the business then has to pay for
• Explain the term minimum inventory level method

  The business works out the minimum amount of inventory with which it can function. Inventory is re-ordered when that level is reached. A difficulty with this is if there is a delay between ordering goods and them being delivered, a factory may have to cease production or a retail shop may not have goods to sell
• Explain the term batch inventory control method

  This method would be associated with process manufacturing rather than with industries which make products in a continuous flow. It simply calculates the value of the inventory held and available for manufacturing
• Explain the term first and first out (FIFO)

  This method of inventory control is based on selling the oldest inventory first and selling or using inventory in rotation. This method accurately assigns costs to inventory as the oldest goods bought maybe less expensive
• Explain the term just in time method

  When using this method products are manufactured just in time for them to be sold. The raw materials or parts which are needed for making the final product are ordered and arrive just in time for is manufacturer. This means large amount of goods are not held in warehouses waiting to be used or sold
• Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using just in time method for inventory control

  One advantage of the just in time method is capital is used very effectively and products should be cheaper

  One disadvantage of the just in time method is the business is very dependent on having a very efficient ordering system
• Explain the impact of technology on manufacturing

  One major advantage is an improvement on the quality of the finished product as the quality of the product is standardized and the possibility of human error is minimized.

  One major disadvantage is possible redundancies of employees as the increase in automated jobs can cause staff redundancies as previous skills or no longer required and new ones are needed