ABSTRACT
Don Ltd is the Midlands plant of an American-owned manufacturer of capital equipment. The parent company of Don Ltd bought the plant from this organization in late 1972, and began production in January 1973 with twenty people, most of who had worked for the previous owners. The company has new technology in the manufacturing area and in the office. The chapter concentrates on the adoption of two types of new technology by Don Ltd: Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine tools and Computer Aided Design and Draughting. The methods of adoption of the two technologies provide some interesting and, illuminating contrasts. It seems clear that the corporate group has a strategy for technological change, for, when Don Ltd sought approval to purchase a new CNC machining centre. On the manufacturing side, the objectives can be summarized as being to reduce costs, improve quality, and increase flexibility.
