英语播客EnglishPod 139

 A:     I called this meeting today in order to discuss our
        manufacturing plan.  As I’m sure you’re all aware,
       with the credit crunch¹, and the global financial cri-
       sis, we’re obligated to look for more cost efficient
       ways  of  producing  our  goods.  We  don’t  want  to
        have  to  be  looking  at  redundancies. So,  we’ve
       outlined a brief plan to implement² the just-in-time
        philosophy.

 B:    We  have two basic points that we want to focus
       on. First of all, we want to reduce our lead time.

 C:    Why would want to do that?  I think this is not an
       area that really needs to be worked on.

 B:    Well,  we want to reduce production and delivery
        lead timesfor better overall efficiency.
 A:     Right,  production lead times can be reduced by
        moving work stations closer together,  reducing
       queue length, like for example, reducing the num-
        ber of jobs waiting to be processed at a given ma-
       chine, and improving the coordination³ and coop-
       eration between successive processes.  Delivery
        lead times can be reduced through close cooper-
       ation with suppliers,  possibly by inducing suppli-
       ers to locate closer to the factory or working with
       a faster shipping⁴ company.

 C:     I see… That makes sense.

 B:    The second point is that we want to require sup-
        plier quality assurance and implement a zero de-
       fects quality program. We currently have far too
        many errors that lead to defective⁵ items and there-
       fore⁶, they must be eliminated.  A quality control at
       the source program must be implemented⁷ to give
       workers the personal responsibility for the quality
       of the work they do, and the authority to stop pro-
       duction when something goes wrong.

 C:     I’m with you on this one. It’s essential that we
        reduce these errors; we’ve got to force our suppli-
       ers to reduce their mistakes.
 A:     Exactly.  Well, let’s look at how we’re going to put
       this plan into action. First...(fade out)

1 crunch   

n.关键时刻；艰难局面；v.发出碎裂声

参考例句：

• If it comes to the crunch they'll support us.关键时刻他们是会支持我们的。
• People who crunch nuts at the movies can be very annoying.看电影时嘎吱作声地嚼干果的人会使人十分讨厌。

2 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

3 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

4 shipping   

n.船运（发货，运输，乘船）

参考例句：

• We struck a bargain with an American shipping firm.我们和一家美国船运公司谈成了一笔生意。
• There's a shipping charge of ￡5 added to the price.价格之外另加五英镑运输费。

5 defective   

adj.有毛病的，有问题的，有瑕疵的

参考例句：

• The firm had received bad publicity over a defective product. 该公司因为一件次品而受到媒体攻击。
• If the goods prove defective, the customer has the right to compensation. 如果货品证明有缺陷， 顾客有权索赔。

6 fore   

adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部

参考例句：

• Your seat is in the fore part of the aircraft.你的座位在飞机的前部。
• I have the gift of fore knowledge.我能够未卜先知。

7 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句