Production Flashcards
Job production
Is used to produce one-off products.
They will often be customised, or hand-made, by skilled craftspeople who will complete one item before starting the next.
E.g. tailoring, Ironwork, construction
Advantages of job production
- Products can be made to exact requirements
- Staff are highly skilled, so quality should be high
- Tasks are varied, so staff are less likely to become bored
Disadvantages of job production
- Production is slower, so customers may have to wait to receive products
- Costs are high, as lots of labour needed and pay higher as skilled staff.
- Machinery may be idle for much of time
Batch production
This production method is used to produce a range of similar, closely related products using same machinery.
Products made in groups, allowing slight changes before next batch is produced.
E.g. Bread, paint, tyres
Advantages of batch production
- It’s possible to produce variations of product
- Can produce more in same time compared to job production
- Bulk buying will lower unit costs compared to job production
Disadvantages of job production
- Time needed between batches need to adjust and clean machinery
- Need to buy more stock of raw materials
- Work is likely to be less skilled, so staff may become bored
Flow/mass production
Used to produce large numbers of identical products.
Large quantities can be made.
The products are continuously moved into the next stage of production.
E.g. cars, electrical products
Advantages of flow production
- Fixed costs spread over more units, lower unit costs
- Products are identical with consistent products
- Usually automated so production can take place continuously
Disadvantages of flow production
- Inflexible, cannot be changed easily
- High initial costs as requires expensive machinery
- Breakdowns and problems can halt production completely
