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Unit 1 Introduction to Manufacturing
Without management, efficient production would not happen. Manage-
ment is essential for all goal-oriented activities, whether they be in industry,
sports, or your personal life.
Manufacturing Outputs
Human-made systems are developed for a reason. The manufacturing system
has been developed to produce the products we need and want. See Figure 2-11.
These are the desired outputs of the system.
However, undesired outputs can also result. Factories may create pollution.
Fumes can enter the air. Chemicals can mix with groundwater. Also, noise can
pollute quiet areas. Some pollution is unavoidable. The challenge is to control
these undesirable products of the manufacturing system.
Most outputs of manufacturing systems have a useful life. After this time,
the products are often discarded. However, with an increasing concern about
pollution and resource depletion, manufactured products should be recycled
after they serve their purpose. This allows the worn-out or obsolete products
to become a material input for a new manufacturing activity. Large-scale recy-
cling activities are already in place for aluminum, glass, and paper. Others
will soon follow. If consumers and manufacturers begin recycling their scrap,
waste, and obsolete products, the stress on the environment will be reduced.
This will benefit everyone.
Another set of “products” of manufacturing systems is human outputs.
Manufacturing creates jobs. Some of these are directly in the factory or in mar-
keting the product. Others support the factory and its workers. Many stores
and service businesses disappear when a factory leaves a town or goes out of
business. Manufacturing systems also impact people and their lifestyles.
Employment means income, physical and mental challenges, and a feeling of
worth. See Figure 2-12.
New manufacturing systems require people to receive additional education.
Recently, a major corporation said that the worker in the future would constantly
need to be in training just to stay ahead. Flexible people, who are willing to learn,
Figure 2-11. A—Transportation vehicles are designed to meet human needs and wants. B—A Corvette
Stingray on display during a Dubai Motor Show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
marketing. The area
of managerial
technology con-
cerned with moving
a product from the
manufacturer to the
customer by means
of advertising and
selling activities.
financial affairs. The
area of managerial
technology
concerned with
raising money and
maintaining financial
records.
industrial relations.
The area of
managerial
technology
concerned with the
human aspects of the
manufacturing
enterprise, such as
personnel and labor
relations.
A B