Why is it difficult to sell GT and JIT to industry?

It is more than 40 years since the idea of Group Technology (GT) was developed, and even longer since Production Control systems—which today arc called Just-In-Time (JIT) systems—were first used in manufacturing. These two approaches, which give simple material flow, with very low stocks, have provided the foundation for Japan's present day superiority in manufacturing. They have, however, been very slow to gain acceptance in the West. This paper studies the reasons for this slow progress in the West. It sees these changes as essential for our survival, and makes some suggestions for improving the rate of progress.