Improving Manufacturing Flexibility: The Enduring Value of JIT and TQM‪.‬

Just-in-time and total quality management may be approaching the ripe old age of 30, but a study of 325 manufacturing plants in six countries finds they still provide the best route to overall flexibility. As global competition intensifies, sellers must meet increasing demands for quality, customization, and lower lead times. Pressures on the bottom line require inventory reductions along the supply chain. Since most companies must ration their capital investments, managers may do well to reexamine these tried-and-true manufacturing techniques before investing scarce dollars. Introduction