(ちゅうもんせいさん)

ちゅうもんせいさん
noun
made-to-order production, build-to-order
1. made-to-order production, build-to-order, production on demand
A manufacturing system where products are made only after receiving a customer's order, rather than being mass-produced in advance. Contrasts with 見込(みこ)生産(せいさん) (speculative production / make-to-stock).
この工場(こうじょう)注文生産(ちゅうもんせいさん)運営(うんえい)されている。
This factory operates on a made-to-order basis.
注文生産(ちゅうもんせいさん)なので、納期(のうき)は2週間(しゅうかん)かかります。
Since it's made to order, delivery takes two weeks.
注文生産(ちゅうもんせいさん)方式(ほうしき)採用(さいよう)することで、在庫(ざいこ)リスクを()らすことができる。
By adopting a build-to-order system, inventory risk can be reduced.

A compound of 注文(ちゅうもん) (order) + 生産(せいさん) (production). Also called 受注生産(じゅちゅうせいさん), which is perhaps slightly more formal. Common in manufacturing, business, and IT (e.g., Dell's build-to-order computer model).

The opposite concept is 見込(みこ)生産(せいさん) (make-to-stock), where goods are produced in advance based on demand forecasts.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 注文生産(ちゅうもんせいさん)方式(ほうしき): made-to-order system
  • 注文生産(ちゅうもんせいさん)(つく)る: to make to order
  • 注文生産(ちゅうもんせいさん)(ひん): made-to-order products

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 受注生産(じゅちゅうせいさん): production upon order receipt — essentially synonymous, slightly more formal
  • 見込(みこ)生産(せいさん): make-to-stock production — the opposite; producing in advance
  • 量産(りょうさん): mass production — large-scale production, typically not custom