Batch production – explained simply

Typical features of batch-based manufacturing include:

Defined quantity

In batch production, a limited number of items is manufactured.

Interim storage

Products often need to be stored temporarily between individual production steps.

Flexibility

Once a batch is completed, production can be quickly and flexibly switched to another product or variant.

Quality

Batch production meets the highest quality standards, as each batch can be monitored, inspected, and adjusted.

Batch production plays a crucial role for several reasons:

• Flexibility: With batch production, companies can manufacture a wide range of products or variants with different characteristics. This allows them to adapt quickly to customer requirements, market demand, or seasonal changes.
• Efficiency: Because machines and employees can be used across multiple products, batch production helps companies make the most of their resources. The result: less time, cost, and effort, lower production expenses, and fewer downtimes.
• Quality: Each batch can be checked and monitored individually, making it easier to detect and correct errors. Batch production therefore actively supports ongoing quality assurance.
• Variety: Batch production provides the efficient foundation for offering products in different versions—such as flavors or sizes. With minimal effort, companies can expand their portfolio and strengthen their market position.
• Regulatory compliance: In some industries, including the process industry, batch production is a regulatory requirement. It ensures reliable lot tracking of products and their ingredients – an essential step for compliance.

• Food industry
• Chemical industry
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Cosmetics industry
• Medical technology
• Biotechnology

A typical example of batch production is yogurt in different flavors. First, a defined amount of plain yogurt is prepared and stored in food-grade tanks. From this base, separate batches are created – vanilla, chocolate, and lemon. Each batch is then filled and labeled individually.

As part of quality control, every batch is tested for taste, texture, and overall quality. The assigned batch number ensures the legally required traceability.

Batch production

Batch production refers to manufacturing a defined quantity of a product under consistent conditions. Natural variations may still occur. In batch production, the process itself is the key factor behind differences between batches – whereas in lot production, the variations stem from the raw materials and their quality.

Lot production

Lot production explicitly takes these fluctuations in raw material quality and characteristics into account. A lot is therefore defined as a unit of material shaped by the properties of the raw materials, which is then processed accordingly.

Series production

In series production, multiple variants of a product are created from one base material. The variants are manufactured one after another, typically in large quantities.

Batch production is especially valuable for companies with specific requirements around flexibility, product variety, quality assurance, or efficient use of resources.

Typical scenarios include:

• Required traceability from raw material to finished product
• Industries with strict regulatory requirements
• Optimizing production resources
• Improving cost and time efficiency
• Customer-specific adaptations
• Working with raw materials of varying quality

High setup times and costs

Switching from one batch to another often requires retooling machines and equipment – a process that can be both time-consuming and expensive.

Precise planning

To produce different batches, production sequences, materials, and capacities must be planned with great accuracy. This demands time, effort, and careful coordination.

Planning errors

If batch production is planned incorrectly, bottlenecks, overproduction, or delivery delays may occur. The consequences are often higher costs, inefficient use of resources, and dissatisfied customers.

Compliance risks

Strict regulations require seamless documentation of every batch. This can be complex and time-intensive – and if neglected, may lead to penalties.

Regular and intensive training

Employees working in batch production must be well trained to react flexibly to changing production requirements.

Fluctuating quality

Variations in production or raw materials can lead to inconsistent quality or even defective products. To prevent this and minimize risks, companies need to integrate robust quality control systems.

The industry ERP Yaveon 365 for the process industry is seamlessly integrated into Microsoft Business Central – and turns it into a professional solution for batch management. With a dedicated app, companies in the process industry can manage their batches safely, reliably, and transparently.

Key features include:

• Extending batch and serial numbers – uniquely defined by an ID – with additional data
• Batch split – assign new data to a subset of an existing batch
• Full traceability of postings, changes, and batch movements
• Flexible adjustment of batch data – for example when the status changes