Job/Batch/Flow Production
Job production - This is when a product is made in its entirety from
start to finish. Each product will be different and designed according to a
customer’s specifications. A good example of this would be the making of a wedding
dress or the provision of a haircut. The factors of production are all used at
the same time to complete one job.
Batch production - This is a method of production that uses the same
capital equipment and other factors to produce different types of goods in short
production runs or batches. The most usual example given is of a bakery producing
different kinds of bread from similar raw ingredients and using similar
equipment. There are, however, many other examples - breweries make batches of
different beers; chocolate manufacturers make batches of different chocolates;
tinned soup manufacturers make batches of different flavours; clothes
manufacturers make batches of different sizes. The advantages of this method
include the use of specialised machinery and workers. Machinery is used more
efficiently, which lowers average costs and, most importantly, a variety of
product is made available to the buyer. Disadvantages include the possibility of
boredom and de-motivation if workers are carrying out repetitive jobs and the
possible need to store finished batches of production.
Components or parts of a product may be made in batches - where one operation is
completed on a number of units, before being passed on to the next stage of the
process.
Flow production - This is where a product is made continuously, usually
along a production line. This will often happen where a product is standardised.
A product such as a car will pass through a number of specialised operations
before the final car is produced. This term is also used for those production
types which involve processing or refining - such as the production of edible
oils from coconuts or paper from trees.
Why not now try the worksheet on Cameron Balloons
production methods? This could help with your portfolio work.
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