This book focuses on the operational and tactical issues related to the engineering and management of manufacturing operations in factories, and the immediate links to suppliers and customers. It provides rich detail on how operations can and should be designed and organized in a factory, and on the management of technology and people.

This Introduction to Manufacturing focuses students on the issues that matter to practicing industrial engineers and managers. It offers a systems perspective on designing, managing, and improving manufacturing operations. On each topic, it covers the key issues, with pointers on where to dig deeper.

Unlike the many textbooks on operations management, supply chain management, and process technology, this book weaves together these threads as they interact in manufacturing. It has five parts:

1. Getting to Know Manufacturing: Fundamental concepts of manufacturing as an economic activity, from manufacturing strategy to forecasting market demand
2. Engineering the Factory: Physical design of factories and processes, the necessary infrastructure and technology for manufacturing
3. Making Information Flow: The "central nervous system" that triggers and responds to events occurring in production
4. Making Materials Flow: The logistics of manufacturing, from materials handling inside the factory via warehousing to supply chain management
5. Enhancing Performance: Managing manufacturing performance and methods to maintain and improve it, both in times of normal operations and emergencies

Supported with rich illustrations and teaching aids, Introduction to Manufacturing is essential reading for industrial engineering and management students – of all ages and backgrounds – engaged in the vital task of making the things we all use.