Deciding on a production system

• Input -> Processed -> Output

  Continuous production -> Mass production

  & Interrupted production -> Batch production
• Production System

  • Mass production
  • Jobbing production
  • Batch production
  • Combination production
• Mass Production

  • Standardised productions are produced in large quantities
  • Large quantities can be produced in a short period
  • Stable demand for product before hand
  • Machine capacities must be kept in sync
  • Highly reliant on high quality single purpose machines
  • Relies heavily on auto-mation
  • Lowers cost per unit
  • Problematic if good quality control is lacking
  • Mass production systems can sometimes be inflexible
• Jobbing

  • One job is finished before a new one is started
  • Produced according to customer specifications
  • System is flexible, can be adapted to customer needs
  • Jobbing requires employees to have multiple skills
  • Multipurpose machines can be used
  • Stockpiling cost can be higher
• Batch

  • Batch production falls in between mass and jobbing
  • Large quantities of similar products are made in batches - one batch is completed before the next is started
  • This system allows flexibility (colour, size, pattern)
  • Easy to over come delays
  • in machine breaks other functions can continue
  • Production cost per unity is higher than mass production
• Combination Production

  • There is a shift towards this system
  • Mass, jobbing and/or batch are used in combination
  • Technology allows for this = value to supply chain = competitive advantage