just-in-time
just-in-time — adjective
1. describes a production method in which materials or parts are shipped or made on
describes a production method in which materials or parts are shipped or made only at the moment they are needed, so that a company can reduce waste and avoid paying for extra storage.
The Toyota factory in Kentucky runs on a just-in-time system, receiving parts every few hours.
typical collocation: just-in-time system
A just-in-time manufacturing approach helped the furniture workshop cut its storage costs by half.
collocation: just-in-time manufacturing
Under a just-in-time production model, nothing is built until a customer places an order.
The bakery switched to a just-in-time delivery schedule so that flour arrives fresh each morning.
Yara's team designed a just-in-time inventory policy that orders steel weekly instead of monthly.
- just-in-case
describes the opposite approach: keeping large amounts of stock on hand to prepare for unexpected demand
文法句型
just-in-time + noun
用法筆記
This adjective is almost always used before a noun (attributive position). Common noun partners include 'system', 'manufacturing', 'production', 'delivery', and 'inventory'. Often shortened to JIT in business writing.
常見錯誤
just-in-time — noun
1. a management approach in which materials and components are produced or shipped
a management approach in which materials and components are produced or shipped only at the time they are required, allowing a business to hold very little stock on its premises.
The appliance maker saved millions by switching to just-in-time.
Just-in-time requires factories and their suppliers to coordinate delivery schedules very closely.
uncountable noun used as subject
A single breakdown in delivery can shut down the entire production line under just-in-time.
Minh studied how just-in-time reduced waste at a textile plant in Vietnam.
Small businesses often find just-in-time risky because they lack backup suppliers.
- JIT
standard abbreviation, very common in business writing
- lean manufacturing
broader philosophy; includes just-in-time as one of its tools
- zero-inventory strategy
emphasises the goal of holding no stock, whereas JIT focuses on timing of deliveries
- just-in-case
the opposite strategy: keeping large safety stocks to guard against supply disruptions
文法句型
uncountable noun
用法筆記
Uncountable noun; do not write 'a just-in-time' or 'just-in-times'. Often abbreviated as JIT (e.g., 'The factory uses JIT.'). Common in operations management textbooks and business case studies.