Essay on Ford and Flexible Manufacturing - 1093 Words

The automotive industry is a highly competitive market where brand loyalty is only as strong as the latest gizmo and horsepower upgrade. The automotive assembly process, perfected by Henry Ford, was based on the simple principle that â€Å"customers can order a Model T in any color they wanted as long as it was black.† After the 1920’s the market witnessed new entrants with unheard of automobile features that ended Ford’s golden age. New automakers such as Buick, Chrysler, and Oldsmobile offered customers varying colors and styles that propelled sales. The automotive industry has grown in the United States from 4192 automobiles on the road in 1900 to 204 million in 2003. In an effort to regain brand loyalty Ford has embarked on an ambitious†¦show more content†¦Corps pieces of equipment such as robotics, painting technologies, and welding systems must work in simultaneously and synchronously. At the Ford motor plant the process of manufacturing a F-150 b egins with metal pallets with an RF tag that contains all the specification of the truck. If the machines making the truck detect an error conflicting with the FR tag the assembly process stops and a worker is called to resolve the issue. If the plant manager gets the word to halt production and begin making a different vehicle because of shifting customer demand only 20 percent of the hardware and software have to be replaced. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;One of the unexpected benefits Ford has encountered is a 25 percent drop in fasteners and other components needed to make automobiles. Moreover, Flexible manufacturing has had a major increase in parts stock levels. Suppliers receive six days worth of orders from Ford via satellite to ensure that suppliers know what will be assembled in the near future and they know what sequence order each truck will be made in ensuring the right parts arrive on time. The system is so accurate Ford says 999/1000 trucks started leave the assembly plant in the order they were received.Show MoreRelatedMgt6801133 Words   |  5 PagesComparative Table Issues: | Ford | Toyota | Economic En: Micro | * Strong dealer network. * Better performance than GM amp; Chevrolet. | * Strong international presence. * Prius has performed better than competitor hybrids. | Economic En: Macro | * The effect of 2008 recession has impacted the company. * A new car for the new driver is the socio-cultural factor targeted. | * Focuses on environmentally friendly cars. * Technological innovations have given Toyota competitiveRead MoreFordism1526 Words   |  7 Pagesthe moving line for final assembly.’(Cohen amp; Kennedy 2007: 95 ) For instance, in 1900, there were 18 million horses, but only 8,000 cars in America. 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The company hasRead MoreSwot Analysis Of Ford Motor Company Swot Analysis1074 Words   |  5 Pagesanalysis of Ford. SWOT Analysis Ford Motor Company SWOT analysis Strengths Weaknesses Strong position in US market ECOnetic initiative Sound financial performance One Ford Increasing Market share in Asia High cost structure Low Market share in Europe Low exposure to Asia-Pacific Poor environmental record Opportunities Threats Green vehicles Increasing fuel prices Strategic partnership Intense Competition Debt Rising Raw material prices Strength As the second largest automaker in US, Ford holds aRead MoreThe Beginning Of Modern Day Industry1698 Words   |  7 Pages More than perhaps any single person of the last century, Henry Ford can take responsibility for creating the American consumer ethic and the American middle class. We can thank him or curse him for what he has done, but either way, we have to acknowledge the impact Henry Ford had on our society. 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