Production can be greatly affected by the reliability of the machines and equipment in the plant. A well planned production with good quality assurance, good quality control but poorly maintained equipment will adversely affect the output and may result in customers low confidence and consequently loss of business. Good production planning without proper maintenance of plants and equipment can as well be regarded as Zero planning.

Learning objectives

• Explain the meaning of production
• Know the types of production
• Differentiate between Jobbing and Batch Production
• Explain Flow Production
• Explain standard operating procedures
• Explain the importance of Quality Assurance and Quality Control
• Explain the meaning of Maintenance
• Know the function and importance of maintenance
• Know the types of maintenance
• Be able to say whether there is any relationship between production and maintenance.