Methods of Production (OCR GCSE Business)

Furniture made to order

Where customers can choose the design, dimensions, materials and finishes

Tailored clothing

Such as wedding suits, where each garment is made to fit the specific preferences of the individual customer

High-end jewellery

Especially those with unique designs or personalised engravings

• Allows for high levels of customisation

  • This allows businesses to cater to the unique needs of consumers 

• It provides the flexibility to adapt to changes in customer demands and market trends

• Job production allows for great attention to detail and quality control

  • This often means products can be sold for a premium price

• Job production offers a personalised customer experience as they can be actively involved in the design and creation process

  • This is likely to lead to customer loyalty

• Tends to be more expensive and takes longer than other production methods

  • This may not be suitable for customers requiring products to be delivered quickly

• Job production can be complex and challenging to manage compared to other production methods

  • Coordination between the production team and the customer is needed so that the final product meets expectations

• Low-volume production is unlikely to allow a business to achieve economies of scale

• Batch production allows manufacturers to switch between batches and cater for varying customer demands

• It can be cost-effective when producing items in smaller quantities

• It allows a business to benefit to some extent from purchasing economies of scale, as larger quantities of stock may be purchased than with job production

• Quality issues can be identified and defects can be rectified within a specific batch before moving on to the next

• Batch production can tailor each batch to meet specific customer requirements 

• Setting up the equipment and configuring the production line for each batch can be time-consuming

• Often leads to the accumulation of stock, which requires storage and careful management to avoid wastage

• Batch production is not as adaptable as other production methods, such as flow production

  • Rapid changes in product demand or frequent product variations may be difficult to manage

• Frequent start-up and shutdown of machinery can put additional stress on equipment, requiring regular maintenance and repairs

• The continuous flow of production eliminates the need for frequent equipment start-ups and shutdowns

  • This reduces energy consumption and minimises waste

• Unit costs are low due to automation and processes that can be carried out by unskilled workers, and costs are spread across a large volume of output

• It is often easy to identify and address any defects early on in the production process

• It enables fast production, resulting in short lead times, which help companies respond quickly to customer demands

• Installing production lines often requires significant capital investment 

• It relies on the reliability and efficiency of equipment and machinery

  • If any part of the production line breaks down, it can disrupt the entire process, leading to costly downtime.

• If a defect is detected, the entire production line may need to be stopped, resulting in substantial losses and delays

• Relies on a steady supply of components and raw materials 

  • Any disruption in the supply chain can have a severe impact on production