Just‐in‐Time Manufacturing and Materials – Handling Trends

Discusses the misconceptions about just‐in‐time (JIT) manufacturing which have developed since its inception in the mid‐1960s and with respect to its application to at least four different manufacturing strategies: scale‐based, focused factories, variety‐driven and, now,time‐based. Outlines the core elements of the JIT concept and several of the primary misconceptions. Introduces a production‐distribution model to illustrate JIT practices in the context of industrial dynamics. If the essential paradigm of JIT and industrial dynamics is missed, this will lead many firms to erroneous application and conclusions about JIT′s effectiveness. JIT manufacturing in the EC has that potential. Provides a forecast of the probable effects and conditions within the Common Market.