This is the continuous production of operations that flow from one operation to the next until completion without a break. This type of production requires careful and lengthy planning of plant and process. The capital costs are high because of the specialized nature of machines required for the production line. Once the line has been set up, control is relatively simple.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MASS PRODUCTION
• Rigid product specifications previously tested.
• Specialized machines and equipment, set out in line formation
• Highly standardized methods, tools and materials
• Long production runs for individual products
• Narrow range of skills
Its greatest drawback is that it requires human persons to adopt themselves to the production process. The work can be tedious and monotonous circumstances that would justify the adoption of mass production.
• Where large quantities of a narrow range of goods are required to meet the demands of mass markets.
• Where standardized units can be moved individually from one operation process to the next without requiring any break in operations.
• Where returns from mass production are expected to meet the expensive start-up costs of an assembly line form of production.
• Where large quantities of liquids, powders or gases are to be processed e.g. paper production, cement manufacture, or the production of petroleum spirit.