The state of JIT implementation and development in the U.S.A

Although much has been written about the successful application of just-in-time manufacturing (JIT) in large firms, there is little to indicate what the majority of small- or medium-sized manufacturers may be doing. An empirical study was undertaken to discover the organizational design configurations of a broad base of firms which are currently implementing and developing the JIT philosophy. Surveyed plants show a reduction of inventories, movement away from make-to-stock production and a shift from job-lot production to the use of repetitive manufacturing techniques.