What is a manufactory?

Manufactory is a large enterprise where the manual labor of hired workers is mainly used and there is widespread use of the labor division system. Manufactories first appeared in Italy in the 14th century, and later in other most developed countries, such as the Netherlands, England and France.

Instruction manual

1

The first manufactories were located in Florence (cloth and wool), in Venice and Genoa (shipbuilding), Tuscany and Lombardy (mining and mines). All enterprises did not have workshop restrictions and did not have to follow certain regulations.

2

Manufactories arose as a result of the association of workshops of artisans who possessed various specializations. Thanks to this, one product could be produced in one place.

3

There are scattered and centralized enterprises. Scattered manufactories are organized when an entrepreneur distributes raw materials to his artisans for subsequent processing. This type is most true for textile workshops and those places where no workshop restrictions apply. The employees of such firms became poor people who had a certain property (a house with a small plot of land), but could not provide for their family, and therefore were looking for additional work. For example, one worker processed raw wool into yarn, which the manufacture received, and gave it to another worker, who, in turn, could make fabric from this yarn.

4

In a centralized factory, all workers process raw materials in one room. Enterprises of this kind are common in those places where the technological process required the joint work of a large number of workers who perform various operations. This type was characteristic of the textile, mining, metallurgical, printing, paper and sugar industries. The owners of such firms were wealthy merchants or guild masters. Such large manufactories were created directly by the state.

5

This type of production was characteristic of Europe in the XVII – XVIII century. Modern manufactories use the latest technology in their activities, and most processes are automated and do not involve personnel.