Restructuring and changing manufacturing management practices in australia

In this paper, manufacturing practices in the Australian Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) Industry over the period 1989 and 1993 are examined. This is accomplished through a comparison of two near identical surveys conducted as part of the Global Manufacturing Research Group activities. The period 1989 to 1993 was one of considerable turbulence for the TCF industry with changed government policy, significantly lowering industry protection to "level" the competitive playing field. The industry also experienced an economic recession during this period which greatly affected production output and employment levels. Practices examined in this paper includes the use of forecasts, production planning, lateness of orders, capacity management, methods of purchasing raw materials and subcontracting. The findings reveal a wider use of forecasts, more thorough production planning, increased shop-floor control, increased quality and greater customer focus. These trends demonstrate that improved competitive practices were being implemented in the sample group.