What Are the Pros and Cons of Assembly Line Production?

The invention of assembly line production resulted in many different advantages, but there are some significant disadvantages in the method as well. Most of the benefits have to do with a reduction in cost and an increased uniformity of the finished products. In addition to creating higher profit margins, this can also result in products that are more affordable and easier to repair. Disadvantages that are often associated with this method of mass production include lower build qualities, rigid or inflexible production facilities, and a substantially higher initial capital investment. This type of production is often associated with monotonous or repetitive jobs as well, which can lead to motivational problems with the workers.

Prior to the advent of the assembly line, the alternatives were less efficient methods such as cottage industries and craft production. These methods often allowed for the creation of high quality products, but the cost to produce them was also high. Each product also tended to be somewhat unique, which could lead to issues if repairs were needed. Since assembly line production involves creating highly uniform products at a fast pace, many of these issues were eradicated. One example is in automobile manufacturing, where the production method drove down the cost of the vehicles to the point where the working class could afford to purchase them.

Production using assembly lines did away with many of the disadvantages of earlier methods, though it also came with its own set of issues. One main disadvantage of this method is the initial capital investment required to set up a production facility. This can result in a large amount of capital being tied up for a substantial amount of time until a factory becomes profitable. Another related issue is the fact that assembly lines typically cannot be modified easily or cheaply to create different products, which can result in a degree of inflexibility.

Assembly line production can also suffer from personnel issues due to the monotony of the work. In craft or job production, a worker is typically responsible for the creation of an entire product and may be called upon to use a variety of different skills. Many assembly lines are so segmented that each worker is expected to perform a single task over and over again, which may result in motivational issues. The efficiency of assembly lines can also allow one worker or a robot to do the work of many, which may lead to a loss of overall jobs in production industries.