Assembly line production revolutionised the way that products are made, and while it is an efficient way of making a great number of finished goods, there are some downsides to the process.

The disadvantages of assembly line production generally come from looking at the process from a different perspective. For example, using several interchangeable workers makes for a more streamlined assembly process. But in doing this the individualistic artisanship is lost for the sake of numbers and statistics.

In general, to work on an assembly line little training is required, and as a result wages may not be very competitive. The work itself can also be extremely repetitive and monotonous, offering little in the way of mental stimulation and creative critical thinking.

Because of the way assembly lines ‘assemble’ products, when it comes to making items that require bespoke parts, an assembly line simply can’t be used.