Final answer:
The sporting apparel manufacturer likely uses batch manufacturing, appropriate for producing customized and event-specific items in particular quantities.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sporting apparel manufacturer that produces t-shirts to commemorate significant athletic achievements for proud students and alumni probably uses batch manufacturing. This method allows for the production of a specific quantity of t-shirts in a group or batch, where the setup is performed once before the batch is run. Batch manufacturing is often utilized when products are seasonal, customized, or required in specific quantities which coincide with the needs of commemorative t-shirts for specific events or achievements.
The rise of the global assembly line and outsourcing demonstrates the evolution of manufacturing techniques over time. However, this scenario pertains to a focused production line for sportswear, which differs somewhat from the continuous flow utilized by mega-factories or the highly flexible but site-specific nature of fixed position manufacturing.