Glossary of joinery, production and management terms
The terms you meet inside an ERP, explained in shop language.
Work order
The document telling the shop what to build, for which job and through which operations. It links the approved quote to the bench.
Material requisition
A request for material from the store for a work order. On issue it reduces stock and charges the cost to the job.
Work center
The area or machine where a type of operation happens: cutting, edgebanding, CNC, assembly or finishing. Used to measure capacity.
Lead time
The time between order and delivery. It includes purchasing, production, finishing and transport, not just bench time.
Gross margin
The difference between selling price and direct job cost, as a percentage. The quickest indicator of whether a job is worth taking.
Non-conformity
A record of a defect or deviation found during inspection, with its corrective action. It keeps the same mistake from repeating.
Waste factor
A percentage added to planned material to cover cuts, offcuts and defects.
Proof of delivery
Evidence that the customer received the work, with date and signature. It prevents disputes and speeds up payment.