Since different processes provide different capabilities, a firm's process structures must be appro-
priate for the volume and variety of the products it produces. There are four common types
of manufacturing process structures.
In a job shop products are typically customized for a specific customer. Each order or
"job" can involve different materials and inputs. A tool and die shop that makes custom-
ized quipment for an automobile manufacturer is an example of a job shop. A moew famil-
iar example is a tailor who makes customized suits and other clothes for consumers.
A batch process typically is used to manufacture a small quantity of an item in a single
production run before changing over to produce another item. John Deere and Caterpillar
Tend to use batch processes in manufacturing construction and agricultural equipment. A
local bakery that produces cookies, cakes, and pies uses a batch process. A batch process
structure works well when there is a high veriety of products but each has a relatively low
volume.
When there are many customers who want a similar product such as automobiles,
appliances, and cell phones, a line flow process process structure is typically used. In line flow
processes standard products with a limited number of variations typically move on an