4.C. Repetitive Focus & 4.D. Product Focus

(Marta Alarcón & Jorge Moreno)

 

4.C. Repetitive Focus

 

• What are the main characteristics of Repetitive Focus?

 

• Facilities often organized as assembly lines
• Characterized by modules with parts and assemblies made previously
• Modules may be combined for many output options
• Less flexibility than process-focused facilities but more efficient

It is a product-oriented process that uses modules (parts of components previously prepared in a continuous process. This type of production (with modules) allows more customizing than a product-focused facility. Modules are assembled to get a quasi-custom product. This way the company obtains both the economic advantages of the continuous model (where many of the modules are prepared) and the custom advantage of the low-volume high-variety model.

 

4.D. Product Focus

• What are Product Focus main characteristics?

1) Facilities are organized by product

2) High volume but low variety of products

3) Long, continuous production runs enable efficient processes

4) Typically high fixed cost but low variable cost

5) Generally less skilled labor

For example Frito-Lay’s family products are produced at a product-focused facility. At Frito-Lay, corn, potatoes, water and seasoning are the relatively few inputs but outputs (like Cheetos, Ruffles, Tostitos and Fritos) vary in seasoning and packaging within the product family.

A product-focused facility produces high volume and low variety.

Presentación Marta and Jorge, Process Strategy from Jorge Fuentes