Competitive manufacturing: combining total quality with advanced technology

Article Abstract:

The amalgamation of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and Total Quality Management (TQM) leads to heightened effectiveness, innovativeness, competitive advantage and competitive fitness. The research was based on 20 companies in the plastic, car and engineering industries. The research showed that companies with an offensive strategy use TQM more than companies with an offensive strategy. In companies with a defensive strategy the application of AMT was limited to economic critieria, such as cost reduction. AMT users compete on other factors other than price, such as quality and flexibility.

Engineering services, Automobiles and other motor vehicles, Plastics materials & basic shapes, Management, Usage, Total quality management

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Deciding manufacturing priorities: flexibility, cost, quality and service

Article Abstract:

A manufacturing planning model that considers flexibility, cost, quality and service in conjunction with the traditional product-process life cycle matrix is presented. A firm that adopts this enhanced model will be more competitive since it will not merely react to and align with the marketplace but create the market as well. The creative interplay between the four factors in varying levels of priority make the difference between a firm's stagnation and competitive advantage.

Models, Manufacturing industry, Manufacturing industries, Product development, Business planning

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Energy Cost Saving Starts on the Shop Floor

Article Abstract:

The conservation of energy has become a necessary consideration in industry and should receive close attention of management. A case history relates how a British company, 3M United Kingdom Limited, went about reducing energy costs. Actual savings figures are shown. Cooperation of plant workers is essential. Environmental considerations are explained. There is an account of how environmental programs resulted in energy savings.

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