Productivity increases attributed to the Japanese management approach known as just-in-time (JIT) include better customer service, higher quality levels, increased labour and machine efficiency and reduced inventory levels. These potential benefits, as well as others, have caused many large companies to examine JIT. Most of this interest has been focused on JIT applications for large repetitive manufacturers. Research, and the experiences of some managers, indicate its potential in job-shop and process industry environments. Little research has been conducted in small manufacturing environments