The Integration of JIT and FMS: Issues and Decisions

The shift from manufacturing standard products in high volume to providing a wide variety of products in low volumes has necessitated a dramatic change in manufacturing strategies moving away from the traditional approaches which exploit economies of scale. This has influenced the design of production systems, where the principles of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) and just‐in‐time (JIT) are recognized as effective techniques for enabling corporate objectives to be met. By a combination of the principles of FMS and JIT, flexibility and reduced inventory costs can be incorporated into the design and control of a manufacturing unit. Outlines issues and decisions related to the successful “integration” of FMS and JIT.