excess capacity
noun[U]
ukusECONOMICS,COMMERCE
theabilitytoholdordealwith alargernumberofpeopleor things than isneededat thepresenttime:
Theairlinehasshiftedsome ofitsexcesscapacityfromAsiantoNorthAtlanticroutes.
PRODUCTION
theabilitytoproducemore of something than isneededat thepresenttime:
Thecompanyhas justopeneda newfactoryandhopestofillallitsexcesscapacitywith a newmarketingpush.