Discrete manufacturing and process manufacturing each have specific benefits and are best for particular end-product types. Choosing between them requires understanding their unique characteristics and applications.
Discrete manufacturing uses sequential assembly to produce individual, distinguishable finished products such as cars and furniture. Process manufacturing is geared toward transforming raw materials into large quantities of given final products, like foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals, via continuous or semi-continuous workflows.
Each of these manufacturing methods has its own unique features and considerations. Manufacturing companies should consider which aligns best with their business objectives, product requirements, and operational capabilities to produce products most efficiently.
What is discrete manufacturing?
Discrete manufacturing builds individual items or products separately, each being distinct from the next. This type of manufacturing process creates tangible goods out of individual parts. These complex products may be of relatively high value, such as vehicles, electronics, machinery, and furniture. Discrete manufacturing typically involves a set of defined steps.
The discrete manufacturing process comprises product design, engineering, materials procurement, assembly, testing, and packaging. This method often uses technologies like computer-aided design (CAD) and robotics to boost efficiency and productivity.
A unique characteristic of discrete manufacturing is its ability to enable customization and variability in the products it creates. This relatively flexible process allows manufacturers to tailor products to meet customer specifications or market priorities.
What is process manufacturing?
Process manufacturing takes raw materials or chemicals through chemical or physical transformations to produce homogeneous products in bulk via batch processing. This methodology is characterized by continuous or semi-continuous workflows that enable the consistent transformation of raw materials in the same way without ceasing, such as on an assembly line. The processes involved often include mixing, blending, distilling, and refining.
Process manufacturing is best suited for food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and chemical production industries to create outputs like soda, medications, and cleaning solutions. That is because process manufacturing focuses on scalability, efficiency, and tight quality control, all of which are essential for continuously producing value-added materials in bulk.
Discrete manufacturing vs process manufacturing
Discrete manufacturing and process manufacturing differ in the characteristics of their processes and the nature of the goods they produce. Discrete manufacturing produces individual items; each typically assembled separately and in distinct steps. Meanwhile, process manufacturing has bulk products created via a continuous workflow that transforms raw materials via several processes.
One of the most notable differences between these two manufacturing types is how they create products — discrete manufacturing builds items step-by-step. In contrast, process manufacturing maintains an ongoing, uninterrupted production flow.
These methods also differ in the customization they enable, with discrete manufacturing allowing products to be built to customer specifications and process manufacturing precluding this option. Additionally, discrete manufacturing often employs advanced technology like CAD, while process manufacturing relies on specialized equipment such as mixers, reactors, and distillation columns.
Examples of discrete manufacturing
Many products we use daily, from bicycles to ovens, are created using the discrete manufacturing process. Here are three examples of products that are made in this way.
Vehicles
A classic example of discrete manufacturing is how vehicles such as cars and trucks are assembled. Each vehicle is made from a set of components, with each part incorporated in its own step in a particular sequence. Building a single car involves routing the product through numerous stages, from design to final inspection.
Electronics
Discrete manufacturing is also used to create electronic items such as smartphones and laptops. Like vehicles, these complex products are each constructed individually of component parts via a specific process of steps.
Furniture
Furniture like sofas and chairs is also produced via discrete manufacturing. The process involves building each piece from a set of parts step-by-step.
Since each type of finished goods is created in stages that can be changed slightly, each can be customized per a customer’s wishes. Buyers can choose the specific features for their car, the amount of memory their laptop should have, or the particular fabric they want on their new sofa.
Examples of process manufacturing
Products we often use, such as medications and motor oil, are created using the process manufacturing approach. Here are three examples of products that are made in this way.
Snack foods
Process manufacturing employs various chemical and physical processes to turn raw materials into snacks, like boxes of cereal and packages of cupcakes. Creating such products involves mixing, blending, cooking, and packaging, completed continuously via an assembly line. The process focuses on ensuring consistent quality and meeting tight safety standards.
Pharmaceuticals
Process manufacturing is also used to produce medications, including through strict procedures for synthesizing pharmaceutical ingredients and formulating dosages in tablets, capsules, and injectables. Using processes such as chemical reaction, filtration, purification, and milling, pharmaceutical companies create drugs using a continuous process that enables high safety control.
Chemicals
The chemical industry transforms raw materials into various chemical products using process manufacturing. The process relies on mixing, distillation, filtration, refining, and other processes to create industrial chemicals, plastics, fertilizers, and other items.
In all three examples, process manufacturing creates these products in bulk via a continuous workflow, which does not allow for customization or additional flexibility within product production. Snack foods, medications, and chemicals must meet the same description and safety standards batch after batch, so no part of the production process can be changed or adjusted.
The right tools for manufacturing success
Manufacturing companies are working to remain efficient, agile, and organized in a fast-changing business environment characterized by rapid technological advancement, evolving customer demands, and supply chain complexity. Whether using discrete manufacturing or process manufacturing, manufacturers must maintain insight into and control over their manufacturing inventory, cash flow, workflows, and metrics.
This article originally appeared on the QuickBooks Resource Center and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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23 small business & side hustle ideas for 2024
When you’re thinking of starting a new business, there are plenty of possibilities to consider. But what if you don’t have a large startup budget ready to go? Doesn’t that limit your dreams severely?Whether you’re trying to launch a side hustle to supplement your day job or you just want to be your own boss, there are many businesses you can start that don’t require huge sums of money.
Explore this list of 23 of our best small business ideas. The sooner you get started, the sooner your small business might be the next great success story.
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At-home workouts became popular during the pandemic restrictions, and it’s still a favorite go-to for busy people who need exercise. If you’re a fitness lover, you may be able to launch an online training business in one of a number of different ways. An easy way to get started and build an audience is by making videos to post on YouTube or sell as a course. According to a survey by Personal Trainer Development Center, online-only trainers made $54,000 yearly on average prior to the pandemic.
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Developing websites — building and maintaining their core structure — is a technical skill that’s in high demand. Yet, it’s also a skill that you can teach yourself through videos, website lessons, and books. Once you’ve mastered and practiced the skill, you can build a portfolio and start pitching clients. All of that takes time and effort but not really money.
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Web design is a skill set you can market as a freelancer, providing your services to multiple companies that need help with the usability and aesthetics of their sites. You can focus on helping design websites from scratch or on troubleshooting and/or redesigning existing websites, or even on a combination of both. Pay for web design may run at around $60 per hour and a full website design might pay between $5,000 and $10,000.
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If you’re wondering what kind of business to start, you might think about consulting in an area you’ve already worked in, like human resources, management, IT, or operations. You can set your own hours, potentially charge more than you earned as a full-time employee, and pick and choose the projects you’ll enjoy the most.
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Starting your own graphic design business is another easy option for people who have the talent and experience. If that’s you, you can launch a website with some portfolio pieces and start pitching potential clients. If you’ve already been a graphic designer for a company, you likely already have everything you need to get started. As of May 15, 2021, the average hourly pay for a graphic designer in the U.S. was $17.99.
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Life coaching can be an extremely satisfying business. You can pick a niche you’re passionate about, like career changes, productivity, health and fitness, or some other idea you find compelling. Getting certified as a professional coach may increase your clout and marketability. While that training probably won’t be free, you might consider it an investment and take out a loan to cover your tuition.
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Whether you’ve been a hobby sewer throughout your life or just picked up the new skill during the pandemic, you may be able to turn that interest into a business. You can specialize your services in any number of ways, like making alterations, designing custom home decor like curtains and pillows, or creating hand-sewn crafts to sell.
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Résumé writing is in demand, thanks to how many people are job hunting. If this is something you have a knack for, you can either find clients on your own or freelance for a résumé agency. The average yearly income for a full-time résumé writer is $42,745, but pay varies. Bear in mind you may be able to earn more if you have expertise in a specific industry. (Learn more atWhat is a Swaption?)
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Selling used books online can be fun as well as lucrative for bibliophiles. It does involve some startup costs since you’ll need to stock up on inventory, but sourcing inexpensive books from places like thrift stores or yard sales can be fun, too. Once you make your first few sales on a site like Amazon or eBay, you can reinvest some or all of the profits to keep your inventory growing.
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If you’re fluent in multiple languages, you can utilize those skills as an interpreter or translator. This is work that can often be performed from the comfort of your own home. Global businesses may not have a full-time need for translation services, so you may be able to step in and help them as a contractor. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most recently gathered median annual earning for an interpreter/translator was $52,330.
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Pet owners spare few expenses when it comes to pet care. And since many people adopted new pets during the pandemic, a pet walking or pet care business could provide a big market in many locations. Once you land your first few clients, you can then focus on getting referrals from those successes. Nationally, dog walkers make an average of $29,000 from dog walking, though it’s important to remember that it varies by region and that not all dog walkers view it as a full-time job.
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Creating an online course is a fun way to share your knowledge about topics or skills you’re passionate about. There are many course platforms to choose from. All you need to do is create one or more videos and upload them to the teaching platform. Set a price and, ideally, you’ll soon make some sales.
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Designing and selling digital products (like videos or ebooks) is an easy business to set up, plus it becomes increasingly passive as you build up your library of products. From artwork to educational products, you simply upload your creations to your preferred platform so future customers can find your work.
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Gardens and landscaping became even more popular during the Covid lockdown. They remain favorite pursuits. If you’ve discovered that you have a green thumb, consider launching a landscaping or garden-care business to help your clients maintain beautiful yards all year long. Explore startup funding options to help finance new equipment if you need it.
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Cleaning houses is a service that’s in demand in just about every city and town across the country. Decide what particular types of services you’ll offer and collect the necessary supplies. Also consider getting a general liability insurance policy to protect yourself and your new business since you’ll be in other peoples’ homes. House cleaning can pay from about $13.75 an hour to $19.75 an hour, but that may vary based on your location and what services exactly you’re providing, among other factors. (Learn more atOptions for a $50,000 Personal Loan)
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If you have an artistic knack, consider opening an online shop to sell your own handcrafted goods. You can launch your own website or list your items for sale on an existing platform. You can either build up a stock of inventory first or opt for a made-to-order business model, which can help you save on startup costs.
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Starting a dropshipping business can be ideal for people who enjoy online marketing. As a dropshipper, you curate goods from a wholesale supplier and market them for sale online. However, you don’t hold any inventory. Instead, the supplier handles shipping for you.
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It’s easier than ever to launch your own interior design business, especially if you have some relevant design experience (your kitchen makeover!) to include in an online portfolio. There are a number of different services you might offer, like home staging, product curation, or online design plans. Consider picking a particular niche or style when you first get started so you can attract your ideal client.
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You can start a tutoring business in person, but online tutors are also popular. Pick a subject you’re knowledgeable about, like math, language arts, or English as a second language. There are plenty of online platforms through which you can market your services, or you can network to find students in need of a tutor. Online tutors can make around $30 an hour or, if they teach advanced subjects, as much as $60 an hour.
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Starting your own virtual assistant business gives you a lot of flexibility in the type of work you do and the hours and location from which you work. You can offer a range of remote services as a virtual assistant, including managing schedules, sending emails, or even handling marketing activities.
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Opening a home daycare center is a more involved small business idea, but there’s definitely a need for this service. Be sure to check your area’s local rules and regulations about opening an in-home daycare center. It may be helpful to write a business plan to keep track of everything you need to do. Alternatively, you could start small by just babysitting or nannying for one family, or even working as a parents’ helper.
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Video and audio content is increasingly popular, so you could offer voiceover services as your own business. It’s easier than ever before to do this as a remote job, plus you can get started with some inexpensive equipment, much of which you may already have, like a microphone, mic stand, headphones, and some recording and editing software. Prices for this service vary, but you might expect to make around $100 for a local radio commercial, up to $10,000 for a national television commercial, and anywhere from $200 to $300 an hour for an audiobook.
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Flipping — finding and reselling or even fixing up and reselling — used items for a profit can be a great business idea if you love bargain-hunting at thrift stores, yard sales, or even clearance shelves. To get started with no budget, you can even flip your own unwanted items from your home on an online auction site, for instance. As you make a little money, you might want to start expanding your inventory.
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Starting any new business takes some work, but the rewards are often worth it. As you get more involved in a new business — and even as it gets more profitable — you may find you need to put more resources into it. You can launch your next idea by exploring financing options.
This article originally appeared on SoFi.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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