What is Batch Production Manufacturing?

The primary characteristic of Batch Production manufacturing is that all components are completed at a workstation before they move on to the next one. Batch production is mostly popular in bakeries and in the manufacture of sports shoes, pharmaceutical ingredients, inks, paints and adhesives. In the manufacture of inks and paints, a technique that is called a color-run is used. A color-run is where the production process manufactures the lightest color first, such as light yellow followed by the next increasingly darker color such as orange, then red and so on until reaching black and then starts over again.

This helps to minimize the cleanup and reconfiguring of the machinery between each batch. White (by which is meant opaque paint, not transparent ink) is the only color that cannot be used in a color-run due to the fact that only a small amount of white pigment can adversely affect the medium colors.

It is important to note that there are inefficiencies that are associated with Batch Production Manufacturing. The production equipment must be stopped, re-configured, and its output tested before the next batch can go on to be produced. The time between batches is known as "down time" and can be costly for a manufacturing company.

Batch production can be very useful for a factory that makes seasonal items or products for which it is difficult to forecast demand. Batch production is best used for products that are made, very similar and without too much detail.One of the best examples in Batch Production Manufacturing is cars.This is because all cars would have the same body shape and therefore, all can be made at the same time and with no extra cost.

Batch Production Manufacturing does have many "pros" and "cons" but is effective and used worldwide, mainly by larger businesses on higher profit margins.

One of the major advantages of Batch Production Manufacturing; is that it can reduce initial capital outlay because a single production line can be used to produce several products. Batch Production Manufacturing can be useful for small businesses who cannot afford to run continuous production lines. Also, many companies can use Batch Production Manufacturing as a trial run. Then if a retailer buys a batch of a product that does not sell then the producer can cease production without having to sustain huge losses.

A major disadvantage of Batch Production Manufacturing is the lack of flexibility in production.All production equipment, employees and other resources will be focused on completing the current batch of production.Should an unforeseen complication come up it becomes very difficult for manufacturers to switch everything over quickly.The lack of response time can potentially affect the bottom line and adversely effect overall profitability.

In order to make any manufacturing process successful there are key components.Some of these are:

• Participative management-This refers to the involvement of every member of your company in the management process. In other words, in order to be successful managers will set your important policies and make important decisions with the input of those that have to adhere to those policies. This helps improve the motivation of company workers as they feel a part of the whole process, and helps upper management successful carry out their operation tasks.
• Continuous process improvement-This characteristic is simply recognizing the small incremental gains towards your goal of reaching total quality. This is also reflective of a manager's willingness to invest in the small things now in order to reap larger benefits in the future. It is considered to be a long-term approach.
• Utilization of teams-Team work is also a necessity for the success of any company, and it is no different with Batch Production Manufacturing. By taking this approach workers will be better able to understand their roles with the problems at hand, share knowledge, and align their work goals with the entire company.