This collection of articles explores key manufacturing and operational considerations .
Latest Articles on Manufacturing and Operations
Dual sourcing: What are the benefits (and disadvantages) of sourcing from multiple suppliers
Why do some firms look to buy from multiple suppliers? This article explores the reasons for dual sourcing, where companies seek multiple suppliers for key inputs.
Mass customization: The advantages and disadvantages
This article explores the benefits of customizing products to meet specific customer demands – as well as the limitations in doing so
Automated assembly lines: The advantages and disadvantages of robots
This article explores some of the key benefits – but also the risks – associated with using robots in manufacturing and product assembly.
5 Challenges of mass customization
Some of the most difficult issues associated with mass customization – important problems you need to be aware of
Design for manufacturing: How it can reduce manufacturing costs
This article explores the importance of design for manufacture – DfM – in reducing manufacturing costs, with key examples.
The difference between mass customization and bespoke products
Mass customization and bespoke made-to-order production share some similarities – but also distinctions – this article explores some of the differences.
Lights out manufacturing: The capabilities needed to succeed
This article explores some of the key resources and capabilities needed to be successful in fully automated manufacturing.
The disadvantages of outsourcing: The Top 5 risks of outsourcing production
This article explores some key risks of outsourcing manufacturing – and why you may want to keep some manufacturing in-house.
Bespoke manufacturing vs. mass manufacturing vs. mass customization
This article explores the differences between bespoke, mass manufacturing, and mass customization.
Is lights-out manufacturing worth it?: The advantages and disadvantages
This article explores the key challenges and benefits associated with fully automated lights-out manufacturing.
Design for manufacturing vs design for assembly
DfM and DfA are two approaches to reduce production costs – this article explores the differences, and how to integrate both different design philosophies.
The advantages of reducing inventory levels across your firm
What are the advantages of reducing levels of inventory and work in progress throughout your operations? This article explores 4 benefits of cutting down on material buffers.
Is mass customization the future of manufacturing? Probably not – why most production won’t be custom
Why mass customization brings new opportunities for customized products – but is unlikely to replace mass production.
Why lights off manufacturing may not be a desirable objective
This article explores the disadvantages of lights-out manufacturing – and why it may not be a good objective for manufacturing lines.
Manufacturing overseas: Important PESTEL considerations with overseas operations
This article explores some of the most important things to consider when considering overseas manufacturing – political, economic, social, technological, ecological, and legal considerations.
Incrementing towards lights-off manufacturing
Why may an incremental approach be best to achieve lights out manufacturing? This article explores how through continuous improvement you can gradually increment towards fully autonomous manufacturing lines.
Dual sourcing: Considering when dual sourcing makes sense
This article explores which components and materials it is particularly important to consider dual sourcing for.
What is mass customization?: Creating unique products to meet individual customer preferences
Mass customization allows each product to be unique – to meet the specific needs of the customer. This article explores the concepts with possible dimensions to customize.
5 Approaches for reducing manufacturing costs
This article explores a range of different approaches for streamlining your production operations and reducing manufacturing costs.
What is late-stage product customizations and how can it help in manufacturing?
What is the benefit of late-stage product adaptions and can it help make your manufacturing approach more responsive?
Applying what-if analysis to your supply chain
What-if analysis (contingency planning) is an important analysis to perform to ascertain the extent to which your supply chain is susceptible to various disruptions, and how you would handle disruptions should they arise.
Dual sourcing: What are the benefits (and disadvantages) of sourcing from multiple suppliers
Why do some firms look to buy from multiple suppliers? This article explores the reasons for dual sourcing, where companies seek multiple suppliers for key inputs.
Mass customization: The advantages and disadvantages
This article explores the benefits of customizing products to meet specific customer demands – as well as the limitations in doing so
Automated assembly lines: The advantages and disadvantages of robots
This article explores some of the key benefits – but also the risks – associated with using robots in manufacturing and product assembly.
5 Challenges of mass customization
Some of the most difficult issues associated with mass customization – important problems you need to be aware of
Design for manufacturing: How it can reduce manufacturing costs
This article explores the importance of design for manufacture – DfM – in reducing manufacturing costs, with key examples.
The difference between mass customization and bespoke products
Mass customization and bespoke made-to-order production share some similarities – but also distinctions – this article explores some of the differences.
Lights out manufacturing: The capabilities needed to succeed
This article explores some of the key resources and capabilities needed to be successful in fully automated manufacturing.
The disadvantages of outsourcing: The Top 5 risks of outsourcing production
This article explores some key risks of outsourcing manufacturing – and why you may want to keep some manufacturing in-house.
Bespoke manufacturing vs. mass manufacturing vs. mass customization
This article explores the differences between bespoke, mass manufacturing, and mass customization.
Is lights-out manufacturing worth it?: The advantages and disadvantages
This article explores the key challenges and benefits associated with fully automated lights-out manufacturing.
Design for manufacturing vs design for assembly
DfM and DfA are two approaches to reduce production costs – this article explores the differences, and how to integrate both different design philosophies.
The advantages of reducing inventory levels across your firm
What are the advantages of reducing levels of inventory and work in progress throughout your operations? This article explores 4 benefits of cutting down on material buffers.
Is mass customization the future of manufacturing? Probably not – why most production won’t be custom
Why mass customization brings new opportunities for customized products – but is unlikely to replace mass production.
Why lights off manufacturing may not be a desirable objective
This article explores the disadvantages of lights-out manufacturing – and why it may not be a good objective for manufacturing lines.
Manufacturing overseas: Important PESTEL considerations with overseas operations
This article explores some of the most important things to consider when considering overseas manufacturing – political, economic, social, technological, ecological, and legal considerations.
Incrementing towards lights-off manufacturing
Why may an incremental approach be best to achieve lights out manufacturing? This article explores how through continuous improvement you can gradually increment towards fully autonomous manufacturing lines.
Dual sourcing: Considering when dual sourcing makes sense
This article explores which components and materials it is particularly important to consider dual sourcing for.
What is mass customization?: Creating unique products to meet individual customer preferences
Mass customization allows each product to be unique – to meet the specific needs of the customer. This article explores the concepts with possible dimensions to customize.
5 Approaches for reducing manufacturing costs
This article explores a range of different approaches for streamlining your production operations and reducing manufacturing costs.
What is late-stage product customizations and how can it help in manufacturing?
What is the benefit of late-stage product adaptions and can it help make your manufacturing approach more responsive?
Applying what-if analysis to your supply chain
What-if analysis (contingency planning) is an important analysis to perform to ascertain the extent to which your supply chain is susceptible to various disruptions, and how you would handle disruptions should they arise.