Flexible Manufacturing System

Many modern companies have already implemented or are moving towards a flexible manufacturing
system. For these systems, companies invest in several machines that they can easily reconfigure to
make a lot of products in a short period of time. Characteristics of flexible systems usually include robots
or other automated devices that replace or augment human labor.

Like continuous management systems, the initial cost of machines can be quite high — but these
systems allow you to produce more goods with fewer labor requirements. They are also more adaptable
to changing marketplace conditions.

Custom Manufacturing System

A custom manufacturing system is one that a company will use for a very specified product line. It is not
appropriate for businesses where you need to mass-produce products. In a custom manufacturing