In recent years, many companies in the industry are adopting lean management or processes that are very similar to this well-known model that comes from the japanese factories. Ultimately, lean processes are a reincarnation of scientific management. Scientific management was introduced earlier in the western factories at the beginning of the twentieth century. By standardizing processes, a constant quality could be delivered at a constant speed. The production processes were mechanized over the years. Even agriculture was mechanized, which meant that animals and people had to use less and less muscle power.

Automation

Automation was introduced after mechanization. In the past, processes were still controlled by humans. Man used mechanical machines to make products from raw materials. Man used his mind to control the processes in factories. Process operators monitored the processes in a factory and ensured that effective solutions were offered if problems arose in the process. This method is still used in many factories. However, it is seen that more is being automated. Through software, many computer systems do the thinking for people.

These systems also provide insight into the input and output of machines. An advanced machine can even clearly indicate the location of a malfunction in the software so that the maintenance technician can find the malfunction faster and solve it more effectively. Automation makes the production process clearer and the various links in the production process can be better coordinated. Because machines can now also make ‘decisions’ with the help of data obtained by sensors, humans are increasingly becoming an unnecessary factor in the production process. The quality of products is becoming increasingly controllable and the speed of production processes is also becoming more transparent.

Standard products

Because the quality, design and material of products are becoming more consistent, they are dealing with standard products. Particularly in mass production, many standard products are produced. By mass-producing the same products, the same dies, stamps and molds can be used for products. The machines in which the stamps, dies or molds are attached can quickly be recovered in mass production, making products cheaper. This is attractive to many consumers.

Lack of customization

Because there are few possibilities due to mass production to change the properties of products and to adapt them to the wishes of the customer, customers almost all receive the same product. Only the color can sometimes change. However, it is possible for car manufacturers to have additional components built into a car at an additional cost. However, this form of customization is not possible with much cheaper products. This includes clothing, shoes, bags and other products that people use every day.

Lack of craftsmanship

People are used to the fact that machines produce products at a cheap price. Many people take for granted that these products are standard, because there is a cheap price in return. In the past, however, it was possible to have a specific product manufactured by different craftsmen or craftsmen, or it could not be produced by machines. One can think of tailors, shoemakers, forges, potters and furniture makers. These companies employed highly skilled individuals who mostly did the work by hand. Their manual dexterity was often passed on from father to son and from apprentice to apprentice. Due to the rise of factories, almost all crafts have disappeared in the Benelux.

Price is more important than craftsmanship

Because for many people price has become more important than craftsmanship, many craftsmen were no longer able to keep their company profitable. A professional costs a salary. Personnel is the largest cost item for many companies. In a large manufacturing company, a machine operator may operate a machine to produce thousands of products. In practice, a professional often had to work on a product on his own, so that the costs of the personnel could only be calculated for one product. However, a manufacturing company can spread these costs over thousands of products. Automation can save even more personnel costs, making products even cheaper. But if consumers want to be able to see a unique product, they no longer turn to mass-produced factories.

Short of craftsmanship

The Benelux has a shortage of craftsmen and craftsmen who can devise and make unique products. Craftsmen are able to help consumers solve a problem by making products that someone else can’t make. Because craftsmanship is almost extinct in the Benelux, a lot of consumers can no longer buy what they want. Factories determine the supply. Craftsmen are nowadays almost exclusively called in to repair broken products. However, a new trend is taking place. Various people are involved in crafts as a hobby, so that craftsmanship is maintained. Maybe that offers hope for the future?