Business Studies Collins Revision Guide. - StudyGuide.PK

PRODUCTION METHODS (4)Flow production●●●●In flow production goods are made continuously without stoppingthe production line. Often a conveyor belt is used to move goodsalong the production line and the process is automated. Goods areproduced at a constant rate and quality.One of the main advantages of mass production is the large output,that is, the quantity of goods that can be produced. This results inlow costs per unit produced and the business can usually benefitfrom economies of scale. Economies of scale mean that unit costsare lower as the business produces more goods.A disadvantage of flow production is that there can be a huge costinvolved in setting up the production line. Once set up, it is oftendifficult to change the product so there is less flexibility. Workersare harder to motivate in this type of production because the tasksinvolved tend to be unskilled and repetitive.Products made by flow production include cans of baked beans,pots of yoghurt and also cars.These robots aretransporting car bodies tothe next stage ofproduction.They are part ofan automated flow systemused in car manufacturing.72