Disadvantages of Product Layout - Inflexibility

Inflexibility is a drawback of this type of layout. The equipment laid out is designed to perform specific operations. No machine unit in the line is perfectly interchangeable in capacity or kind of work with any other machine. Any changeover machine replacement required by design improvements or revision would lead to costly interruption in production. Because the production facilities created for a defined line will be inflexible or unsuitable for revised line of product, technological inventions will render the previous line equipment obsolete.