Flows in a Fordist and a Post-Fordist Production System

In a fordist production system, the integration of the commodity chain is often discontinuous and subject to delays in the transport chain. Links between different functions generally imply an accumulation of stocks (raw materials, parts and manufactured goods) before their usage (processing, manufacturing and distribution). The high outputs of an assembly line require warehousing of all required parts in the vicinity. This cannot occur without a stable and constant demand, which is assumed to absorb a supply-oriented production. The transport function in such an environment is massively applying economies of scale with accumulation and delays at break and bulk points.

In a post-fordist environment, JIT and tense fluxes tend to reduce warehousing and increase the integration between elements of the commodity chain in a complex network of relationships. This system is more linked to the demand and sees each of its elements adapting to constant fluctuations of origins and destinations. In this environment, the transport function is closely integrated to the production and the distribution and is the main element minimizing delays and warehousing.