MATERIALS AND SUPPLIERS BUSINESS VOCABULARY IN USE

 

BUSINESS VOCABULARY IN USE 17. MATERIALS AND SUPPLIERS

 

A Inputs Dryden makes vacuum cleaners. It takes raw materials like steel and plastic and makes some of the components or parts used in its products. Other components are made by other companies. Materials and parts are just some of the inputs. The others are labour (workers and managers) and capital (money). Knowledge is also important because Dryden is a leader in vacuum technology. B Suppliers and outsourcing Dryden receives materials and components from about 20 companies, its suppliers or partners. The company is doing more subcontracting: using outside suppliers to provide components and services. In other words, it is outsourcing more, using outside suppliers for goods or services that were previously supplied in-house: within the company. C Just-in-time Of course, it costs money to keep components and goods in stock: stocks have to be financed (paid for), stored (perhaps in special buildings: warehouses) and handled (moved from one place to another). So Dryden is asking its suppliers to provide components just-in-time, as and when they are needed. This is part of lean production or lean manufacturing, making things efficiently: doing things as quickly and cheaply as possible, without waste. EXERCISES 17.1 Use words from A opposite to label the diagram. 17.2 Match the sentence beginnings (1-4) with the correct endings (a-d). the sentences all contain words from B opposite. 1 Computer manufacturer XL is cutting back on in- a contractors’ maintenance work is worrying train operating companies. 2 The poor standard of some sub b suppliers are causing delays in production, the Azco group claims. 17.3 Replace the words in speech bubbles with the correct forms of words from C opposite.

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