Vocabularies

First of all study vocabularies. Use the follow link to open and save the word list.

Manufacturing as a System

Manufacturing industries can be described as individual systems. These industries all have inputs, processes and outputs. Firstly, there is a need for finance to invest in the manufacturing industry in question. Secondly, there is a need for input of raw materials to be processed into other products. In order for this to happen, there is a need for another input, the third, and that is labour. Fourthly, the whole of this process can only take place if there is an input of energy to keep the whole activity moving. Finally, there is a need for transport, by sea, air, road or railway, to bring raw materials to the factory for processing.

Once the inputs are all in place, there are number of processes which occur in the manufacturing industry. Some of the processes are done by people manually and others are done by machines. In many manufacturing industries, chemical processes occur and materials are heated or mixed with other materials. During the process of manufacturing there may be waste produced in the form of gases release or there may be solid or liquid waste created. Outputs from the manufacturing process can be divided into three groups: these are items produced for sale to other industries or businesses; there are products made for sale to the public and there are also outputs in the form of transport for taking goods to the points of sale.

Differences Between Light and Heavy Industries

Heavy industries use heavy, bulky goods to manufacture heavy products whereas light industries use lighter raw materials to make lighter products. Steel, which is heavy, is used to make ships, which are heavy. On the other hand, textiles, such as clothes, are made from light materials like cotton and synthetic materials. Heavy industries also need large sites for manufacturing, holding raw materials, waste treatment plants and storage of goods.

Light industries do not demand as much space as heavy industries. Genarally, they are environmentally friendly and so are often planned near to residential areas for access to a labour supply. Heavy industries are not people friendly and so are planned far from residential areas.

Exercises

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