{"id":3148,"date":"2023-02-19T16:11:46","date_gmt":"2023-02-19T16:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/chapter\/mass-production\/"},"modified":"2025-05-27T21:08:34","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T21:08:34","slug":"mass-production","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/chapter\/mass-production\/","title":{"raw":"Learn It 13.2.3: Production Processes","rendered":"Learn It 13.2.3: Production Processes"},"content":{"raw":"<h2>Mass Production<\/h2>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12715\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"250\"]<img class=\"wp-image-12715\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3807\/2018\/11\/16192913\/13065471874_57605f6d66_k.jpg\" alt=\"decorative image\" width=\"250\" height=\"364\" \/> Figure 1. Canned foods that you find at the supermarket are mass produced.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Mass production\u00a0<\/strong>is a manufacturing method focused on producing large quantities of identical items continuously. Unlike batch production, the process never stops to switch products. The same item is made repeatedly on an assembly line. This method was pioneered during the Industrial Revolution, with Henry Ford's Model-T automobile being a classic example. Ford famously said customers could have any color they wanted \"as long as it's black\" because changing colors would disrupt the continuous production flow.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words\">In mass production, the assembly line is key. Each worker or machine performs a specific task repeatedly as products move continuously through the system. The emphasis is on standardization and efficiency, with minimal variation in the product. This method is ideal for products with steady, high-volume demand where customization isn't a priority.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words\">Common examples of mass production include:<\/p>\r\n<ul class=\"-mt-1 [li&gt;&amp;]:mt-2 [li&gt;mark&gt;&amp;]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8\">\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Automobiles on an assembly line<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Canned foods with standard recipes<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Basic household appliances<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Standard prescription medications<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Consumer electronics with standard specifications<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Advantages<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Very low unit costs due to continuous, high-volume production<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Maximum efficiency through specialized tools and processes<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Bulk purchasing power for materials<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Consistent product quality through standardization<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Lower labor costs per unit due to specialized, repeated tasks<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Disadvantages<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">High initial investment in specialized equipment and assembly lines<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Limited flexibility - difficult and expensive to change products or features<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Worker motivation challenges due to highly repetitive tasks<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Production stoppage if any part of the line fails<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">High ongoing maintenance costs for specialized equipment<\/li>\r\n\t<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Limited ability to customize products or respond to changing demand<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<section class=\"textbox example\">[videopicker divId=\"tnh-video-picker\" title=\"Hot Sauce Production: Small to Large\" label=\"Select Video\"]<br \/>\r\n[videooption displayName=\"Mesquite Man in a Cottage Kitchen\" value=\"\/\/plugin.3playmedia.com\/show?mf=9882525&amp;p3sdk_version=1.10.1&amp;p=20361&amp;pt=375&amp;video_id=JG7RCfqaslE&amp;video_target=tpm-plugin-0mjbsl0i-JG7RCfqaslE\"][videooption displayName=\"Tubby Tom's in a Commercial Kitchen\" value=\"\/\/plugin.3playmedia.com\/show?mf=9882523&amp;p3sdk_version=1.10.1&amp;p=20361&amp;pt=375&amp;video_id=21vbIsfk_wQ&amp;video_target=tpm-plugin-6g0qbs68-21vbIsfk_wQ\"] [videooption displayName=\"Mass Production of Tabasco Sauce\" value=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oI0QmKY_DT8\"]<br \/>\r\n[\/videopicker]<\/section>\r\n<p>You can view the <a href=\"https:\/\/course-building.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Intro+to+Business\/transcripts\/MesquiteManTurnsLoveOfHotSauceIntoAMoney-MakingBusiness.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">transcript for \u201cMesquite Man Turns Love Of Hot Sauce Into A Money-Making Business\u201d here (opens in new window).<\/span><\/a><br \/>\r\nYou can view the <a href=\"https:\/\/course-building.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Intro+to+Business\/transcripts\/HowToStartaHotSauceBusinesswithTubbyToms.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">transcript for \u201cHow To Start a Hot Sauce Business with Tubby Tom's\u201d here (opens in new window).<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>There is no closed captioning for the instrumental background music in the third and final video. All the content is written on the screen throughout the video.<\/p>\r\n<p>You can view the <a href=\"https:\/\/course-building.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Intro+to+Business\/transcripts\/HowTabascoSauceisMade.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">transcript for \u201cHow Tabasco Sauce is Made\u201d here (opens in new window).<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<section>\r\n<section class=\"textbox proTip\">Another option for entrepreneurs is to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=erjLVRQiMwI\">find a co-packer<\/a> with large production facilities who will produce your recipe in a large production run.<\/section>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\">[ohm2_question height=\"300\"]4326[\/ohm2_question]<\/section>","rendered":"<h2>Mass Production<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_12715\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12715\" style=\"width: 250px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12715\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3807\/2018\/11\/16192913\/13065471874_57605f6d66_k.jpg\" alt=\"decorative image\" width=\"250\" height=\"364\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-12715\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1. Canned foods that you find at the supermarket are mass produced.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Mass production\u00a0<\/strong>is a manufacturing method focused on producing large quantities of identical items continuously. Unlike batch production, the process never stops to switch products. The same item is made repeatedly on an assembly line. This method was pioneered during the Industrial Revolution, with Henry Ford&#8217;s Model-T automobile being a classic example. Ford famously said customers could have any color they wanted &#8220;as long as it&#8217;s black&#8221; because changing colors would disrupt the continuous production flow.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words\">In mass production, the assembly line is key. Each worker or machine performs a specific task repeatedly as products move continuously through the system. The emphasis is on standardization and efficiency, with minimal variation in the product. This method is ideal for products with steady, high-volume demand where customization isn&#8217;t a priority.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words\">Common examples of mass production include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"-mt-1 [li&gt;&amp;]:mt-2 [li&gt;mark&gt;&amp;]:mt-2 list-disc space-y-2 pl-8\">\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Automobiles on an assembly line<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Canned foods with standard recipes<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Basic household appliances<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Standard prescription medications<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Consumer electronics with standard specifications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Advantages<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Very low unit costs due to continuous, high-volume production<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Maximum efficiency through specialized tools and processes<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Bulk purchasing power for materials<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Consistent product quality through standardization<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Lower labor costs per unit due to specialized, repeated tasks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Disadvantages<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">High initial investment in specialized equipment and assembly lines<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Limited flexibility &#8211; difficult and expensive to change products or features<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Worker motivation challenges due to highly repetitive tasks<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Production stoppage if any part of the line fails<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">High ongoing maintenance costs for specialized equipment<\/li>\n<li class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Limited ability to customize products or respond to changing demand<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<section class=\"textbox example\">\n<div id=\"tnh-video-picker\" class=\"videoPicker\">\n<h3>Hot Sauce Production: Small to Large<\/h3>\n<form><label>Select Video:<\/label><select name=\"video\"><option value=\"\/\/plugin.3playmedia.com\/show?mf=9882525&amp;p3sdk_version=1.10.1&amp;p=20361&amp;pt=375&amp;video_id=JG7RCfqaslE&amp;video_target=tpm-plugin-0mjbsl0i-JG7RCfqaslE\">Mesquite Man in a Cottage Kitchen<\/option><option value=\"\/\/plugin.3playmedia.com\/show?mf=9882523&amp;p3sdk_version=1.10.1&amp;p=20361&amp;pt=375&amp;video_id=21vbIsfk_wQ&amp;video_target=tpm-plugin-6g0qbs68-21vbIsfk_wQ\">Tubby Tom&#8217;s in a Commercial Kitchen<\/option><option value=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oI0QmKY_DT8\">Mass Production of Tabasco Sauce<\/option><\/select><\/form>\n<div class=\"videoContainer threePlay\"><iframe src=\"\/\/plugin.3playmedia.com\/show?mf=9882525&amp;p3sdk_version=1.10.1&amp;p=20361&amp;pt=375&amp;video_id=JG7RCfqaslE&amp;video_target=tpm-plugin-0mjbsl0i-JG7RCfqaslE\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>You can view the <a href=\"https:\/\/course-building.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Intro+to+Business\/transcripts\/MesquiteManTurnsLoveOfHotSauceIntoAMoney-MakingBusiness.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">transcript for \u201cMesquite Man Turns Love Of Hot Sauce Into A Money-Making Business\u201d here (opens in new window).<\/span><\/a><br \/>\nYou can view the <a href=\"https:\/\/course-building.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Intro+to+Business\/transcripts\/HowToStartaHotSauceBusinesswithTubbyToms.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">transcript for \u201cHow To Start a Hot Sauce Business with Tubby Tom&#8217;s\u201d here (opens in new window).<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There is no closed captioning for the instrumental background music in the third and final video. All the content is written on the screen throughout the video.<\/p>\n<p>You can view the <a href=\"https:\/\/course-building.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/Intro+to+Business\/transcripts\/HowTabascoSauceisMade.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">transcript for \u201cHow Tabasco Sauce is Made\u201d here (opens in new window).<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<section>\n<section class=\"textbox proTip\">Another option for entrepreneurs is to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=erjLVRQiMwI\">find a co-packer<\/a> with large production facilities who will produce your recipe in a large production run.<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"ohm4326\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/ohm.one.lumenlearning.com\/multiembedq.php?id=4326&theme=lumen&iframe_resize_id=ohm4326&source=tnh&show_question_numbers\" width=\"100%\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/section>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"menu_order":9,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Introduction to Business\",\"author\":\"OpenStax\",\"organization\":\"Rice University\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/Tgl3H6iq@8.3:HFQiJQgd@7\/Introduction\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"Download for free at http:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/4e09771f-a8aa-40ce-9063-aa58cc24e77f@8.3\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Advantages and Disadvantages\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Wikibooks\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/en.wikibooks.org\/wiki\/GCSE_Business_Studies\/Methods_of_Production\",\"project\":\"GCSE Business Studies\",\"license\":\"cc-by-sa\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"pd\",\"description\":\"Canned goods at a grocery store\",\"author\":\"US Department of 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