Cookie production process: The Baking Company, run by two brothers, employing fewer than 200 people, is located in a small town in New York State. The company, home-style cookies, makes a high quality of soft cookies, having no additives or preservatives, as per the orders received from the distributors. The cookie production process is called a batch processing system, in which company uses two continuous band ovens, to bake the cookies. Manufacturers, of anything from cakes to computer chips, have numerous ways of organizing production, and one of these methods is called batch production or batch processing system, in which, instead of manufacturing things singly, or by continuous production, items are manufactured in batches. A specific process for each item takes place at the same time on a batch of items, and that batch does not move onto the next stage of production or inspection until the whole batch is done (www.wisegeek.com).
According to the text; “batch processing is used when a moderate value of goods or services is desired and it can handle a moderate variety of products and services” (Stevenson, 2009, p. 239). The batch processing technique includes mixing, cutting and baking, for non filled cookies, but filled cookies, requires an additional step for filling and folding. As soon as management receives orders from distributors, production is scheduled, and process of making cookies begins. Every day, list of the cookies to be made is given at the start of the shift, to the person in charge of mixing, who checks the master list, indicating the ingredients needed for each type of cookie, and enters that information into the computer. The computer determines the amount of each ingredient needed, according to the quantity of cookies ordered. The ingredients are automatically sent to giant mixing machines, where they are mixed with proper amounts of eggs, water, and flavorings. Properly mixed ingredients are poured
References: 1. Productivity Concepts and Measures; Retrieved Nov 16, 2012, fromhttp://www.enotes.com/productivity-concepts-measures-reference/productivity-concepts-measures 2. What is Batch Production? Retrieved Nov. 16, 2012, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-batch-production.htm 3. Mankiw, N.G., (1998), Principals of Microeconomics; Business and Economics; Retrieved Nov. 16, 2012, from http://books.google.com/books?id=xoztFMavGCcC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false 4. Stevenson, W.J. (2009). Operations management (10th ed). New York: McGraw Hill/Irwin.ISBN: 9780077284091.