The document discusses Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing. It explains that JIT aims to eliminate waste from production by providing the right parts at the right time and place. The document identifies seven types of waste and lists key elements of JIT, such as having a flexible workforce and defect-free materials delivered as needed. Benefits of JIT include reduced costs, improved quality, and increased productivity and flexibility. However, JIT also requires special training and multi-skilled workers, which can be challenging to implement. In conclusion, JIT philosophy aims to cut unnecessary inventory and non-value-added activities to produce goods as specified through continuous improvement.

2. INTRODUCTION With the increased competition at the global level, more & more organizations are becoming conscious & have started focusing on various aspects , such as : Better quality . Zero defect . New product development . Elimination of wastage . Continuous improvement , etc. A very high emphasis on quality both for products & services has generated a new concept known as JUST- IN –TIME. JUST-IN-TIME/JIT is an approach which seeks to eliminate all sources of waste, anything which doesn’t add value in production activities, by providing the right part at the right place at the right time .

3. SEVEN WASTES JIT ALWAYS INSISTED ON ELIMINATION OF WASTES. SHIGCO SHINGO , A JAPANESE JIT AUTHORITY IDENTIFIES 7 WASTES. TO HIM BY ATTENDING TO THESE WASTE, THE IMPROVEMENT IS ACHIEVED. THOSE 7 KINDS OF WASTAGES ARE: Waste of stocks. Waste of waiting. Waste of processing. Waste of defective production. Waste of over production. Waste of motion. Waste of transportation.

4. KEY ELEMENTS OF JIT TO HAVE A FLEXIBLE WORKFORCE CAPABLE OF USING MULTIPLE SKILLS. INSIST FOR DEFECT FREE MATERIALS & SUPPLIES BE DELIVERED WHEN NEEDED. STRIVES FOR REDUCED SET-UP TIMES & SMALL LOT SIZES. THERE SHOULD BE RELIABLE VENDORS, EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT & CO-OPERATION WITH TOTAL PRODUCTIVE MAINTENANCE. AS A CONCEPT JIT MEANS THAT, VIRTUALLY NO INVENTORIES ARE HELD AT ANY STAGE OF PRODUCTION AND THAT THE EXACT NUMBER OF UNITS ARE BROUGHT TO EACH SUCCESSIVE STAGES OF PRODUCTION AT THE RIGHT TIME. THAT’S WHY THE JIT CONCCEPT IS OTHERWISE KNOWN AS : ZIPS (ZERO INVENTORY PRODUCTION SYSTEM), ZIN (ZERO INVENTORIES), MAN ( MATERIALS AS NEEDED), NOT (NICK OF TIME).

5. BENEFITS OF JIT PRODUCT COST: THE COST OF PRODUCTION IS GREATLY REDUCED DUE TO REDUCTION OF MANUFACTURING CYCLE TIME, REDUCTION OF WASTES & ELIMINATION OF NON-VALUE ADDED OPERATIONS. QUALITY: QUALITY IS IMPROVED BECAUSE OF CONTINIOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES. DESIGN: DUE TO QUICK RESPONSE OF TECHNICAL CHANGE, ALTERNATIVE DESIGNS CAN BE QUICKLY BROUGHT ON THE SHOP FLOOR. PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVE MENT: UNDER JIT SYSTEM SUPPLIERS SUPPLIES HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS AND THE USE OF AUTOMATED ROBOTICS WITH PREVENTIVE INTENSIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMMES, WHICH PREVENTS MACHINARY BREAKDOWNS ETC. ENSURES HIGH & PERFECT PRODUCT QUALITY. HIGH FLEXIBILITY: WORKERS EMPHASISES ON ZERO DEFECT BEFORE THEY ARE PASSED TO THE NEXT OPERATION, HENCE PRODUCTION OPERATION BECOMES MORE FLEXIBLE.

6. DISADVANTAGES OF JIT JIT REQUIRES SPECIAL TRAININGS WITH REORGANISATIONS OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURE. RESISTANCE TO CHANGE : JIT INVOLVES A CHANGE THROUGH OUT THE WHOLE ORGANISATIONS, BUT HUMAN NATURE RESISTS CHANGE. JIT REQUIRES MULTI-SKILLED WORKERS WITH FLEXIBILITY TO CHANGE. AND IT IS VERY HARD TO FIND THOSE WORKERS.

7. CONCLUSION JUST-IN-TIME METHOD IS A PHILOSOPHY, WHICH BELIEVES THAT WASTE CAN BE ELIMINATED BY CUTTING UNNECESSARY INVENTORY AND REMOVING NON VALUE-ADDED ACTIVITIES IN OPERATIONS. THE GOALS ARE TO PRODUCE GOODS AND SERVICES AS SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT THROUGH VALUE ADDITIONS.