AGILE MANUFACTURING Meaning and
Definition
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Agile manufacturing refers to a production methodology that emphasizes flexibility, responsiveness, and adaptability in meeting customer demands and shifting market conditions. It involves the ability of a company to rapidly and effectively adjust its manufacturing processes, resources, and strategies to accommodate changing customer preferences, product variations, and market demands.
Agile manufacturing is characterized by various key features. Firstly, it focuses on customer satisfaction by offering a wide range of highly customizable products or services. This means that the manufacturing processes should be capable of efficiently handling diverse product designs and specifications.
Secondly, agile manufacturing emphasizes the reduction of production lead times by implementing efficient and streamlined processes. The goal is to minimize manufacturing delays and ensure quick response times to market fluctuations, enabling companies to swiftly introduce new products or modify existing ones.
Thirdly, agile manufacturing places a strong emphasis on collaboration and communication within the manufacturing ecosystem. It involves close coordination between different departments, suppliers, and customers to facilitate seamless information flow, enabling faster decision-making and effective problem-solving.
Lastly, agile manufacturing promotes the use of advanced technologies and automation to enhance process efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality. This may include the adoption of robotics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other digital systems to optimize production processes and enhance overall productivity.
In summary, agile manufacturing is a production approach that prioritizes flexibility, responsiveness, and customer satisfaction in order to swiftly adapt to changing market demands, reduce lead times, promote collaboration, and enhance overall efficiency through the use of advanced technologies.
Etymology of AGILE MANUFACTURING
The word "agile" in the context of manufacturing comes from the field of software development, specifically the Agile Software Development methodology.
Agile software development was first introduced by a group of software developers in 2001 through the Agile Manifesto, which emphasized flexibility, collaboration, iterative development, and customer satisfaction.
The term "agile manufacturing" evolved from the principles of Agile Software Development, adapting them to manufacturing processes. It refers to a manufacturing approach that focuses on rapid and flexible response to customer demands, using cross-functional teams, quick iterations, and continuous improvement.
Therefore, the etymology of "agile manufacturing" is rooted in the concepts and principles of Agile Software Development.
