PRODUCTION PROCESSES Flashcards
What is production?
The process of taking resources and making them into products. It can take place in different ways based on the type and quantity of the product
There are three methods:
Job production
Batch production
Flow production
PRODUCTION PROCESSES
JOB PRODUCTION
BATCH PRODUCTION
FLOW PRODUCTION
Job production
Where products are made individually. Once one product is completed another can begin, if required
WHY?
It is usually a unique and specific product making it high quality and value.
HOW?
Skilled workers are required for these products making the labour highly intensive and expensive.
Examples of Job production
Ships
Tailor-made clothing
Wedding cake
Buildings
Craft production (paintings)
Hair cut
Advantages and disadvantages of Job production
Advantages
Quality: The products are of high quality due to the skill, time and resources used.
Satisfaction: Staff often get high satisfaction from using their skills on this product from beginning to end.
Profit: Due to the high quality of the product a business can charge a high price for it therefore making a profit.
Individuality: The product is usually a one-off bespoke piece made for individual customer needs.
Disadvantages
Resources: Due to the high quality of the product, the cost of resources would be high.
Labour: Due to the high quality of the products a skilled workforce is required making it a high cost method of production.
Time: Production may be slow and the customer may have to wait for the product.
Batch production
Where a limited number of one product is made then it stops, before changing to another type of product.
HOW?
It is groups of one particular product made to measure. A mixture of job and flow production
Examples of Batch production
Baked goods (bread)
Houses
Different size clothing
Milk
Paint
Newspapers
Advantages and disadvantages of Batch production
Advantages
Labour: Reduced labour costs as machines can be used.
Time: Production can be fast due to the use of machines ensuring customers do not have to wait for long periods.
Resources: There is less waste of resources compared to job production.
Cost: As you are making a group of products it is less cost per unit making it efficient production.
Customer satisfaction: It meets the needs of different customers.
Disadvantages
Satisfaction: The work is repetitive resulting in staff losing interest and satisfaction.
Time: Production can be reduced due to the time required for turning on and off of different machinery between batches.
Costs: Increased storage and transport costs due to quantities.
Resources: Large stock of raw materials is required to ensure you can switch between batches of products. Increasing costs.
Flow Production
Where one product is continuously made. Sometimes called mass production.
WHY?
Standardised and regularly used products meaning high quantities are required to mass market
HOW?
Usually involves an assembly line and is nearly always highly automated. With no stoppages, labour usually consists of shift work.
Examples of Flow production
Fizzy drinks
Chocolate
Cars
Mobile phones
Glass
Advantages and disadvantages of Flow production
Advantages
Demand: huge market demand for these products therefore increasing production, sales and overall profits of the business.
Resources: reduced cost of raw materials due to buying in large quantities.
Quantities: produced in large quantities lowering cost per unit. Efficient production.
Labour: reduced labour cost due to the use of machinery.
Disadvantages
Retention: Tasks can be repetitive and boring, leading to a decrease in motivation and increase in staff retention problems.
Costs: Increase in storage costs due to the quantity of resources required.
Production: Can be reduced or disrupted by a mechanical break-down.
Labour: Loss of the need for a skilled workforce.
Production in Action
When a business uses a combination of all three production processes.
EXAMPLE?
BMW
Job: Custom made cars full of unique and unusual gadgets (Bond car)
Batch: Most expensive top-tear cars would be made through this method.
Flow: Most BMW cars would be made through this method
Influence of technology on production
Technology is continuously improving and therefore increasingly becoming part of the production process of goods and services
There are three different examples of how technology can be used in the production:
Automation
Computers
Robotics
Automation
A production process involving machinery that is controlled by a computer rather than a person
Machinery completes repetitive tasks such as:
A machine to fill tins of paint and put lids on them
Sensors to control heating systems
Sensors used to automatically control direction and speed of a vehicle
A vending machine automatically dispensing goods.
Robotics
The use of robots in the production process. It is an extension of automation.
WHY?
Robots get programmed to do a specific task for different types of work.
Robotics are widely used in car manufacturing for tasks such as:
Welding
Tightening bolts
Paint-spraying
Computers
Computers can be programmed to control machines and help workers do their job
Computers can be used in many different ways within production such as:
Banking
Data storage (for example in schools: attendance, punctuality and performance)
Services (selling tickets for concert)
Technology in production
Advantages
Machines can replace workers. Reducing costs labour costs.
Worker productivity is increased as computers help them to work faster and produce more. This reduces costs.
Waste is reduced as machines are usually more accurate than humans.
Production can be flexible as machines can be programmed to change what is produced.
Technology can operate 24/7 and never needs time off work. Reducing costs and increasing output.
Human safety is improved as machines can do dangerous jobs.
New technology can lead to new products for businesses to sell.
Disadvantages
The business may need to recruit skilled labour to program the computers which control production.
Workers may need to be retrained to work with the new technology and training costs money.
Machines can break down, disrupting production.
New technology may be expensive to buy.
Customers may not like automation, for example, automated telephone response systems.
The storage of data about customers must meet the requirements of data protection laws.
