Introduction
Just In Time (JIT) is not a new concept as it
has been a part of the Japanese manufacturing
industry since a long time. JIT was initially
known as Toyota Production System and Toyota motor
company recognized its very philosophy and working
techniques. The objective of this manufacturing
system is to eliminate waste totally. It basically
means making what the market demands when it is
in need. JIT not only increases the work productivity
but also saves the cost along with work performance
and producing quality products.
Therefore, in order to have a complete JIT manufacturing
system it is important to meet the demands of
the market whenever needed. These include a company
wide commitment; proper material, quality, people
involvement as well as equipment must always be
available there. Moreover, to establish the identification
of duplication of the efforts, it is also important
to extend the developed policies and procedure
of an internal JIT structure into the company’s
supplier and customers. Furthermore, in order
to reduce wastage and improve the quality of work,
it is important to get in hand a continuous feedback
of the performance. (Gregory Jobe, Danny Misson,
Adam Smith)
History
This Japanese management manufacturing company
was developed in the 70’s and was first
adopted by the Toyota manufacturing plants by
Taiichi Ohno. JIT gained extensive support by
the mid 70’s by many companies thus many
companies followed the JIT management strategies.
If we trace back the history for the actual incentive
to develop a good manufacturing technique, which
would be an elementary part to rebuild their economy
was the major set back of the Toyota Company after
World War II. They wanted to catch up with America
as soon as possible in order to save their (Japans’s)
automobile industry. Nevertheless the roots are
traced back to their strong work ethic rather
then sitting idle or wasting time in relaxation.
Though the Japanese people were very hard working
since the beginning even so, they did not achieve
this stage of economic recognition in a day or
two. Basically the existing system at that time
had many defects in the manufacturing fields.
The major defects in the manufacturing industry
at that time included the inventory problems,
defects in the products, the high cost and delivery
delays as well as the large lot production. (Imai
(1986)) Nonetheless, only a single product defect
is enough to destroy the reputation of the producer,
so it was needed to develop a manufacturing system,
which was completely defect free. Therefore, JIT
took the initiative to introduce a very strong
and solid manufacturing system that was not only
defect free from the existing defects of that
time but also provided a faster and reliable delivery
system in regard to satisfy the needs and demands
of the customer.
Process
JIT is an integrating production process where
the suppliers, manufacturers as well as the customers
are inter-related to each other for the successful
competition of the JIT manufacturing. The process
of JIT does not work on the basis of independence
in regard to the stages of manufacturing process.
Therefore, the process of the JIT manufacturing
needs to complete the following stages as a manufacturing
process:
Prior to set a JIT manufacturing system, every
company needs to define its plan and objectives.
However the degree of appropriateness varies from
one individual company to another. So planning
for JIT is the most important process for setting
up a JIT manufacturing system. Furthermore, while
planning for JIT, the objectives should be very
much clear, as the system needs a complete understanding
of its objectives. Once these objectives are set
then the process of planning start determining
the requirements to meet these well-planned objectives.
However to make the goal and objectives successful,
it is also important to be equipped to integrate
and optimize each and every step of the manufacturing
system, to produce the products in time and on
demand, to develop manufacturing flexibility as
well as to produce quality products to maintain
commitments and communication among the customers
and suppliers.
However, manufacturing flexibility is the ability
to start new projects or the rate at which the
production mix can be adjusted to meet customers
demand. (China time report) where planning for
flexibility is related to the understanding of
the very elements of the manufacturing process
that limits flexibility and improves in the areas
needed. So the production managers need to focus
on certain important factors to be made flexible
like the supplier lead time, the time for the
process of production as well as the setup time
for the process and so on.
Furthermore, the process also includes the reduction
of the manufacturing cost in order to build up
the product to any specified benefit. A good employer
and employee relationship can serve best to the
completion of this process. This will help in
cost savings as well as encourage a strong relationship
among the members and the manufacturing company
resulting in great success of the JIT system.
Nonetheless, a successful JIT system demands a
healthy communication between the customers and
suppliers. This will help encouraging suggestions,
getting to know the demands of the users as well
as very much responsibility to fulfill it’s
commitments.
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