Logistics Glossary

Get to know the vital terms of Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

Job Shop

What is a job shop in manufacturing?

A job shop is a business or workshop that manufactures items on a made-to-order basis in small or large volumes. Due to individual product requirements, different types of setup, processes, and materials are utilized on the batch. Jobs could also vary in terms of design and processing requirements, job shops could take into consideration the peculiar specifications of customers and produce different parts.

Key Characteristics of a Job Shop

Customization and Diversity

Job shops are famous for their highly customized products. Each order may need different equipment, different skills, or different production techniques, hence putting them in an excellent position in custom manufacturing.

Small Batch Manufacturing

Products of a job shop are usually run in small batches. The production is arranged usually for every project, thus comprising specialized machinery or manual craftsmanship. 

A job shop uses various machines for different manufacturing needs. Employees in a job shop are highly versatile in terms of the operation in which they are skilled, enabling them to make rapid transfers among jobs and produce a wide variety of products.

Advantages of Job Shops

Flexibility

Job shops readily meet changing customer orders as well as specifications since they are most appropriate for the manufacture of special parts or prototypes.

Highly trained workforce

Employees in a job shop normally get training on several machine types, hence adding more know-how to high-quality and accurate production.

Optimization of Resources

Job shops will save on resources since they only produce only what is needed for specific orders. This generally means that there is minimal waste compared to mass production.

Conclusion

An industry requiring custom, low-volume manufacturing will always need a job shop. Such an operation has specialized equipment and skilled people who can make one-of-a-kind, high-quality products. Industries such as aerospace, automotive, and custom manufacturing basically cannot be accomplished without a job shop.

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