ABSTRACT
This entry extends the introduction of the make‐to‐availability (MTA) approach for selected products. It is different from making to order (MTO). The entry considers possible complications in managing it. One is seasonality. Another issue is dependent setups when they are performed primarily to assure availability. Another complicating topic is making to stock in a situation where the customer's tolerance for delivery is more than zero (immediate), but still shorter than production‐plus‐transportation time. In this particular case, the company is in a MTO situation in which the standard lead time is too short to protect on‐time deliveries. The entry describes “no priority, no commitment” stock that can be made at any time with good assurance that it can be sold. This category can fill slack manufacturing capacity.
