The Management of Small Engineering Workshops (Classic Reprint)

Improve how your workshop runs with proven, practical systems for tracking work from start to finish.

This guide distills years of hands-on engineering shop experience into clear methods for organizing orders, materials, and duties so every job moves efficiently.

Designed for small to mid-size shops, this volume focuses on practical, repeatable processes. It explains why written records matter, how to define each department’s duties, and how to keep work flowing without overwhelm. The aim is to reduce confusion, cut delays, and prevent costly mistakes by building a simple, reliable system from the ground up.

Readers will gain a straightforward framework to manage orders, equipment, and personnel. The book shows how to balance material flow with precise instructions, and how to assign tasks so foremen supervise rather than perform every job. It emphasizes steady, measured improvements rather than dramatic, risky changes.

• A clear method to plan and issue shop orders with unambiguous instructions
• Guidance on organizing the drawing office, patterns, and tools for quick access
• Practical duties and behavior expected of foremen to keep work on track
• Tips for investing in plant and process changes with visible payoffs

Ideal for managers, foremen, and owners of small engineering shops seeking a steadier, more efficient operation.