Flow and Job Production:

• Features of Flow production

  • A lot of the product can be made at the same time
  • Each item moves continuously from one stage to another
  • Technology is used to move products throughout the process
• Job production

  A product is supplied to meet the exact requirements of a customer
• Flow production

  An item moves continuously from one stage of the process to another
• For businesses to make a lot of profit in job production, they need to have a USP (unique selling point) to stand out from competitors
• Disadvantages of job production

  • More time needed from employees leading to potential loss of motivation
  • Product being handmade takes extra time
  • Business needs highly skilled workers as there is no room for errors
• Advantages of job production

  • Attracts more interest and customers if customised
  • Attracts potential investors as it can add value to the business
  • More appropriate for personal services such as dental or health care
• advantages of flow production:

  allows machinery to be used much faster

  huge quantities of the product can be made meaning that you can sell the product faster

  cost per unit is low
• disadvantages of flow production:

  running a factory/buying machinery is a high cost

  employees may get bored if its less productive

  inflexible meaning that machines can only make one product at a time