Mass production, also known as flow production or continuous production, is the manufacturing of substantial amounts of standardized products in a constant flow, often using assembly lines or automation technology. It involves making many copies of products quickly, using assembly line techniques to send partially complete products to workers who each work on an individual step, rather than having a worker work on a whole product from start to finish.
The key characteristics of mass production are:
- Large quantities: Mass production aims to produce goods in high volumes, often in simultaneous batches.
- Standardization: The products manufactured through mass production are typically standardized, meaning they have consistent specifications and features.
- Automation and assembly lines: Mass production relies on automation technology and assembly lines to facilitate the efficient and rapid production of goods.
- Capital and energy-intensive: Mass production requires a high proportion of machinery and energy in relation to workers, making it a capital-intensive and energy-intensive process.
- Lower costs per unit: While the initial setup costs for mass production can be expensive, the total expenditure per unit of product is decreased due to the high volume and efficiency of the production process.
- Division of labor: Mass production involves a careful division of labor, with specialized tasks and highly repetitive motion patterns.
Some advantages of mass production include:
- High level of precision: Mass production techniques can achieve a high level of precision and consistency in the manufactured products.
- Lower costs: Mass production can lead to lower costs per unit due to economies of scale and the efficiency of the production process.
- Higher levels of efficiency: The use of automation and assembly lines in mass production allows for a more efficient production process compared to other methods.
- Prompt distribution and marketing: The rapid production of goods in mass production enables organizations to distribute and market their products quickly.
However, mass production also has some disadvantages:
- Capital-intensive: The setup and maintenance of automated assembly lines can require large investments, making mass production more suitable for companies with significant capital resources.
- Low employee morale and increased turnover: The repetitive nature of mass production tasks can lead to low employee morale and increased levels of employee turnover.
An early example of mass production is Henry Fords assembly line technique, which he pioneered in 1913 for the production of the Ford Model T.
