just-in-time production
nounUK /ˌdʒʌst ɪn ˈtaɪm prəˈdʌkʃən/
US /ˌdʒʌst ɪn ˈtaɪm prəˈdʌkʃən/
A way of making things where you only make what is needed, exactly when it is needed.
The car factory uses just-in-time production so it does not keep lots of extra parts in the warehouse.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A manufacturing strategy where materials arrive only as they are needed on the assembly line.
Just-in-time production reduced the company's storage costs by half.
3. A business approach that aims to cut waste by producing goods only in response to actual orders.
Switching to just-in-time production helped the bakery avoid throwing away unsold bread.
4. A method of organizing work so that each step happens right before the next step needs it.
With just-in-time production, the parts arrive at the workstation minutes before they are used.