Robustness is a feature that concerns the ability of a system to adapt to changing conditions while being robust in its performance with respect to disturbances. However, several industrial studies show that advanced manufacturing systems become vulnerable to various types of production disturbances. This paper contributes to the understanding of production disturbance handling on operative level as a basis for the development of a methodology for analysing and production disturbance handling from a holistic perspective. A present state analysis has been carried out at an automated engine plant. Results indicate a need of consistency related to production disturbances, e.g. how they are classified, measured and followed up, as it forms the basis for the efficiency measurements and for the key values that are aimed to promote improvement work.