注文生産(ちゅうもんせいさん)

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)み生産(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)で作(つく)る: to make to order
• 注文生産(ちゅうもんせいさん)品(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)み生産(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