A manufacturing process that injects raw materials "just in time" to create products to meet customer demand, JIT manufacturing enables businesses to eliminate waste and reduce production costs. Manufacturers keep minimal, if any inventory on hand. JIT manufacturers are committed to improving processes and producing high quality products on demand rather than ahead of time. Management highly regulates JIT manufacturing, as it often involves proprietary information about its manufacturing process.
JIT Process Improvement Plans
Companies implement ethics programs to communicate a common set of values and goals throughout the organization. Successful implementation of the JIT process improvement plan factors in the company's ethics policies into the manufacturing process. When improving processes, management reinforces the importance of these policies throughout all levels of the workforce. This extends beyond the company to include supply chain vendors and ensure they provide the highest quality materials, treat their workers fairly and pay a sustainable living to its workforce.
By using the JIT manufacturing process, a company produces goods with lower defect rates. Employees at JIT manufacturers have the knowledge, resources and processes required to focus on making better products. Management's decision to use an ethical supply chain results in employees having better materials with which to work. Employees' personal ethics and the company's business ethics directly affect craftsmanship and quality. The combination of personal and business ethics has the ability to contribute to society by delivering products beyond customers' expectations.
Waste and Cost Reduction
JIT manufacturing reduces waste and cuts production costs. From an ethics viewpoint, reducing waste is good for the environment and cutting costs translates into lower prices and better value for the consumers. JIT manufacturing is one of the leanest manufacturing processes in practice. Firms monitor processes to identify unreasonable production times, high inventories, excess labor and needless movement of supplies. High inventory comes with the risk of obsolescence. If products are not sold quickly enough, they become obsolete and are thrown away. This is a waste of resources and needlessly pollutes the environment.
JIT manufacturers are dedicated to continuous process improvement. As most JIT processes are proprietary, employees must act professionally and behave as loyal agents for the company. Employees are legally bound not to disclose any proprietary information, knowledge of business matters or technical procedures of any present or former employer unless they have consent. They have an obligation to protect the firm's interests.
- Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images