Recently New Holland North America has implemented a laser FMS at the Grand Island Nebraska plant. New Holland produces farm equipment such as combines, windrowers, discmowers, balewagons, and earthmoving equipment. They will be decreasing their inventory even more in the future. Eventually they would like to be down to a two-week replenishment cycle, parts would then be stored on skids on the floor. This is another advantage of using Flexible Manufacturing Systems.
Computers can do a wide variety of tasks at a much faster rate than humans often can.
Since computers can do these menial tasks at a much faster rate, it frees up humans to do more complex, challenging tasks. The FMS often takes up a great deal less space in the factory than the traditional assembly lines would have. This is another advantage. The freed up space can be used for more production or could be used to create another type of product to meet the needs of the customers. Flexible Manufacturing Systems also has the advantage of lower cost.