Based on original research and case experience, this book presents a structured approach to making the important decisions for developing a make or buy strategy for manufacturing business.

David Probert developed the approach described in this book while he was a Royal Academy of Engineering/Lucas Industries Research Fellow in the Manufacturing Engineering Group at the University of Cambridge Currently lecturing in the Engineering Department, he works with the DTI, the engineering institutions and industry associations to bring the ideas to a wide practical application. His experience covers a range of industrial engineering and management disciplines in the UK and overseas.

• Chapter 1: Introduction


• Chapter 2: Make or buy in the manufacturing business context


• Chapter 3: Make or buy - the factors in a strategic review


• Chapter 4: Developing a make or buy strategy - guide to a practical approach


• Chapter 5: Implementing and maintaining the strategy


• Chapter 6: Practical experience from past cases


• Chapter 7: Useful tools and techniques for the project team


• Chapter 8: Where to go from here