An examination of just-in-time management for the small manufacturer: with an illustration

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Abstract
Productivity increases attributed to the Japanese management approach known as just-in-time (JIT) include better customer service, higher quality levels, increased labour and machine efficiency and reduced inventory levels. These potential benefits, as well as others, have caused many large companies to examine JIT. Most of this interest has been focused on JIT applications for large repetitive manufacturers. Research, and the experiences of some managers, indicate its potential in job-shop and process industry environments. Little research has been conducted in small manufacturing environments This paper examines JIT, its elements, benefits and feasibility in a small manufacturing setting. A bottling company is described and examined in terms of its suitability for JIT implementation. This example shows that not all elements of JIT are feasible for all situations. Each element of a JIT system should be examined as it applies to small or large manufacturing or to repetitive, job-shop or process industries. More specifically, JIT should be examined in terms of its application to individual plants.

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