| Abstract: | Considerable interest is now being shown in the concept of flexible manufacturing systems. This paper reviews the early experience of a number of UK users and examines the range of choice now opening up for firms engaged in batch manufacturing operations. Although the potential benefits of flexible manufacturing (such as reduced lead times or inventory levels) are significant, achieving these in practice depends on successfully resolving a number of problem issues. In particular, the question of integration—both technological (hardware/software) and organisational—needs to be addressed. The paper discusses progress made in the firms studied in dealing with these issues and identifies a number of dimensions along which other organisations considering the implementation of flexible manufacturing systems will need to adapt. |
