just-in-time, a. phr. and n. phr. Comm.
(ˌdjʌstɪnˈtaɪm)
Also unhyphenated.
[f. the phr. just in time: see just adv., in time s.v. time n. IV. 46.]
A. adj. phr. Designating or relating to a manufacturing system in which components are delivered at the time required for assembly in order to minimize storage costs; = *kanban n. 2. Abbrev. JIT s.v. *J III.
| 1977 Internat. Jrnl. Production Res. XV. 559 A production control system for just-in-time production and making full use of workers' capabilities is the Kanban System. 1984 Internat. Managem. (Asia/Pacific ed.) Mar. 13/1 In addition to just-in-time systems, which are based on Toyota Motor Co.'s famed kanban (a recorder authorization card) method..a rash of new computer simulation programs is sweeping the manufacturing world. 1988 Design Graphics World Feb. 40/2 The publication presents major concepts for integrating management information and plant floor information. ‘A just-in-time information system can result in dramatic quality improvements.’ 1991 Purchasing & Supply Managem. Apr. 40/1 Just In Time supplies were observed being delivered to the assembly line by a fleet of fast moving forklift trucks. 1992 Economist 15 Feb. 80/2 In a sample of 20 firms that Ms Milkman studied more closely, a mere four had the vaunted ‘just-in-time’ stock-control system. |
B. ellipt. as n. phr. The just-in-time system.
| 1984 Fortune 2 Apr. 13/1 The essence of just-in-time is that the manufacturer does not keep much inventory on hand—he relies on suppliers to furnish parts just in time for them to be assembled. 1989 Accountancy May 153/1 Just-in-time demands spot on planning systems or a very stable order board. 1991 D. Lodge Paradise News iii. iii. 266 ‘It sounds like what we call just-in-time in industry,’ said Brian Everthorpe. ‘Each operation on the assembly line is buffered by a card that instructs the operative to supply the next operation precisely when needed. Eliminates bottlenecks.’ |