Manufacturing industry

Question 1

Define manufacturing industry

Answer 1

Production of goods by industrial processes. Classified as secondary industry

Question 2

Secondary industry as a system

Answer 2

• Inputs: capital, labour, raw material, land, power
• Process: assembly, maintenance, transport, packaging
• Outputs: products and profit

Question 3

Human factors that affect the location of industry

Answer 3

• Cheap Labour:
• Available Capital
• Market: important to locate near their potential market.
• Supply Network and Transport Links: To ensure the smooth production of products.
• Good Housing: To attract any workers
• Reliable Electricity and Water Supply: For all industries a constant electricity supply is essential because industries can’t afford breaks in production.

Question 4

Physical factors that affect the location of industry

Answer 4

• Flat Land
• Available land: look for sites that have the potential to expand factories/offices.
• Unpolluted Land (Greenfield Site): there are no clean up costs before building.
• Available Raw Materials
• Renewable Energy Sources
• Water Supply
• Climate

Question 5

Define weight gain industry

Answer 5

An industry that makes products which get heavier in the manufacturing process (e.g. cars)

Question 6

Define weight loss industry

Answer 6

An industry that loses weight in the manufacturing process (e.g. steel)

Question 7

Define JIT (Just-In-Time) manufacturing

Answer 7

Industries that order the supply of parts (components) as and when they need them. By doing this you can save on storage costs, but it does mean that you have to have excellent communication and relations with your suppliers

Question 8

Define JIC (Just-In-Case) manufacturing

Answer 8

Industries that stockpile a supply of parts (components) just in case they are needed in the production process. This increases storage costs, but ensures that they never run out of parts to manufacture.

Question 9

Define externality

Answer 9

An impact or affect that is caused by an unconnected event or process

Question 10

Solutions to externalities

Answer 10

• Renewable Energy: If industries use renewable energy they will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
• International Agreements: International agreements like limit the amount of pollution that countries (and therefore companies) can make.
• Government Regulations: Governments creating laws to limit noise, air and water pollution and just as importantly enforcing the regulations and punish non-compliance.
• Corporate Responsibility: Companies can make their own steps to reduce pollution
• Appropriate Technology and Industries: Industries only locating in areas where the technology and regulations are in place to minimse externalities