Different Types of Production

1) This is where you're making a single product.

2) Every item made will be different, to meet customer's individual and specific requirements, e.g. a wedding or birthday cake.

3) It needs an individual recipe and method.

4) It will probably require specialised skills from experienced workers.

5) It takes more time and is more labour-intensive than other production workers.

6) It makes for a high quality product, but normally at a high cost.

1) This is for making a specific quantity of a product on a large or small scale (50-5000).

2) Batches can be repeated as many times as required.

3) The machinery and labour used need to be flexible, so they can quickly change from making one batch to making another batch of a similiar product.

4) The time between batches, when machines have to be cleaned or changed around, is called down time. This is unproductive and needs to be kept as short as possible so the manufacturer doesn't lose money.

1) This involves non-stop, uninterrupted production.

2) It's used for products which are sold regularly and in large numbers (e.g baked beans).

3) The specialised equipment required is very expensive, so it would cost too much to turn it off. It has to keep running and producing continuously.

4) If anything goes wrong, it can take time to get it going again - and time means money.

1) This is where large sections, or the whole production, are controlled by computers. Anything from bread-making machines to computerised scales can be used.

2) It is very fast and requires fewer workers - therefore lowering production costs.

3) The quality of the product is very high.

4) It is very hygienic as the food is not handled.

5) It is safer for the workers, as all the tasks are carried out by machine.