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What Are the Advantages of Mass Production?

Ray Hawk
Ray Hawk

The main advantages of mass production are simple, yet have transformed society from the days of the cottage industry where finished goods were expensive and rare. Economies of scale, standardization, automated manufacturing flow, and specialization in workers have all contributed to making the process successful at meeting the needs of modern society. While increasing automation will continue to replace some worker roles in the mass production process over time, the concept is likely to remain a fixture of industry for at least the rest of the 21st century.

One of the key motivators for establishing the process in the first place is what is known as economies of scale. This means that the larger a production run of a product becomes, the lower the cost per unit to produce these items will correspondingly drop. This translates into greater net profits for the business if there is an unmet demand for the product.

Quality tends to increase when each worker is responsible for one aspect of production.
Quality tends to increase when each worker is responsible for one aspect of production.

Another key advantage to mass production is that it creates a degree of standardization in manufacturing that is not normally present in materials or complete units manufactured one at a time. This is due to the fact that each station in an assembly line is set up with machinery that will only accept parts of a predetermined size, composition, and so forth. This set of automatic controls or jigs at each work station allows for parts to be produced in widely varying geographic locations and assembled into a completed unit elsewhere. It also allows workers to focus their energy and attention on processing the part instead of also making sure that it meets measured standards, which speeds up the assembly process. After the product is on the market, such standardization also contributes to a higher level of interchangeability and routine maintenance over time.

Many elements of mass production today are automated or require only programming a CNC machine.
Many elements of mass production today are automated or require only programming a CNC machine.

An industrial term for mass production is flow production, or repetitive flow production, which highlights another key advantage the system offers. While getting a mass production business started involves a large investment in automated machinery and power equipment, the payoff after the system is established is profound. Powered automation speeds up the production process, creating a a steady stream or flow of product at a much more rapid rate than could otherwise be produced. The faster the products can be produced to standards and moved into the retail market, the more profit the labor generates for the company, with the same amount of hours devoted to the job that a craftsman would devote to make just one product.

Automated manufacturing flow, standardization and economies of scale are among the advantages of mass production.
Automated manufacturing flow, standardization and economies of scale are among the advantages of mass production.

The core concept behind the value of mass production from a human resources point of view is the idea of division of labor. When something is produced through serial production where each worker focuses all their attention on one small aspect, then the product has the ability to possess a higher degree of reliable quality than those produced one at a time. Specialization is, therefore, a key aspect of the success of mass production, as someone working in series production on anything can become an expert at maintaining the quality of one aspect in a short amount of time.

Discussion Comments

stoneMason

What about the disadvantages of mass production such as unfair working conditions, overworking of employees and child workers in overseas manufacturing bases?

ddljohn

Can we also say that mass production leads to better quality goods?

Standardization is a great thing and I think that, to some extent, it also means better quality products. When goods are mass produced, they have to live up to standards in order to get to the consumer. So I think that it's less likely for goods to be faulty as a result of mass production. There is always someone checking that the goods are working and are in proper order. There might be exceptions of course, but when so many people are working on one single product, it's more difficult for faulty goods to get through.

fBoyle

One of the other great advantages of mass production is that it results in lower price. Mass production reduces production costs which allows manufacturers to produce more goods. More goods, means more supply. When supply is equal to or greater than demand, prices are low and affordable for consumers.

So mass production means that we can buy more goods with our money.

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    • Quality tends to increase when each worker is responsible for one aspect of production.
      By: .shock
      Quality tends to increase when each worker is responsible for one aspect of production.
    • Many elements of mass production today are automated or require only programming a CNC machine.
      By: uwimages
      Many elements of mass production today are automated or require only programming a CNC machine.
    • Automated manufacturing flow, standardization and economies of scale are among the advantages of mass production.
      By: lnzyx
      Automated manufacturing flow, standardization and economies of scale are among the advantages of mass production.
    • Keeping the assembly line running is of paramount importance in mass production.
      By: gemenacom
      Keeping the assembly line running is of paramount importance in mass production.
    • Mass production allows manufacturers to make a large number of similar items quickly.
      By: lianxun zhang
      Mass production allows manufacturers to make a large number of similar items quickly.
    • Mass producing items on an assembly line reduces the manufacturing cost per item, and the savings can be passed on to those who purchase the products.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Mass producing items on an assembly line reduces the manufacturing cost per item, and the savings can be passed on to those who purchase the products.