Production System refers to an organized arrangement of men, materials, machines, methods and money used to convert raw materials into finished goods or services. It represents the combination of inputs, transformation processes and outputs required to achieve production objectives. The system involves various activities such as production planning, process selection, resource allocation, quality control and performance monitoring. Its main purpose is to ensure the efficient utilization of resources, minimize wastage, reduce production costs and maintain product quality. Production systems are designed according to the nature of products, customer demand, technology and organizational requirements. An effective production system helps organizations achieve higher productivity, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction while maintaining consistent production standards.
Types of Production Systems:
1. Job Production System
In Job Production, products are made one by one according to the specific order and specification of the customer. Each job is unique, non-repetitive and requires highly skilled labour and general-purpose machines. Production starts only after receiving an order. Examples include shipbuilding, furniture making, tailoring and construction of bridges. The main advantage is high customization, flexibility and customer satisfaction. However, the cost of production is very high, time required is more, and planning and control are difficult. Inventory is low as production is against order. This system is suitable when demand is low, variety is high, and product is large, complex and expensive.
2. Batch Production System
In Batch Production, products are manufactured in groups or batches of similar items. After completing one batch, machines are set up again for the next batch. It is a mix of job and mass production. Examples include bakery products, pharmaceuticals, garments, books and paints. It provides more variety than mass production and lower cost than job production due to some repetition. However, it requires frequent machine setup, higher inventory of work-in-progress, and complex production planning. It is suitable when demand is moderate, variety is medium, and products are produced at regular intervals in limited quantities.
3. Mass Production System
In Mass Production, a large quantity of standardized products is produced continuously on an assembly line. There is high degree of specialization, division of labour and use of special-purpose machines. Examples include automobiles, mobile phones, televisions and bottled drinks. The main advantages are very low per-unit cost due to economies of scale, high speed of production, and easy supervision. However, it needs huge capital investment, has low flexibility, and any breakdown stops the whole line. Inventory of raw materials and finished goods is high. It is suitable when demand is very high, product design is stable, and variety is low.
4. Continuous / Flow Production System
In Continuous Production, production runs without interruption, 24 hours a day, with a fixed sequence of operations. Raw materials flow continuously through different stages and are converted into finished products. Examples include oil refineries, sugar factories, cement plants and chemical industries. The advantages are maximum utilization of machines, very low per-unit cost, less labour requirement and uniform quality. The disadvantages are very high capital investment, no flexibility to change product, and heavy loss if a machine breaks down. It requires accurate planning, preventive maintenance and continuous demand.
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