FMS Management — The Scope for Further Research

Abstract

There are some 30 Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) currently being installed and assimilated in Britain. A pilot study involving Anderson‐Strathclyde plc, a precision engineering company, Cessna Fluid Power Limited, Cummins Engines Limited, and Lucas Electrical Limited shows that these companies expected to achieve a variety of economic advantages, based on savings in direct production cost as a consequence of improved machine design, reduced lead times, and production of “sets” of related components; all these factors being due to the introduction of FMS. Also anticipated were marketing advantages, arising out of improved production and improved adaptability to market fluctuation. In each company investment in FMS was seen to be a crucial factor in marketing strategy. It will be important in future to monitor government policy on financial assistance for FMS, as this will relate directly to a company's FMS investment decisions.