Market %
Product Level
Flexibility
Lead Time
Stock
Product is on a shelf, either at the factory or in a distributor’s warehouse, awaiting minimal assembly/to ship.
15%
Low
Low
0 to 2 Weeks
Finish To Order
Product is through production, but needs finish and assembly.
30%
Moderate
Low
3 to 6 Weeks
Made To Order
Manufactured to existing specifications.
30%
Moderate+
Moderate
6 to 16 Weeks
Minor Custom Modifications
Same as made to order, but with modifications made to existing designs or layouts.
15%
Moderate+
Moderate
8 to 16 Weeks
Custom From Scratch
Must be drawn, reviewed, a prototype developed, tooled, fabricated, tested, and produced.
10%
High+
High
10 to 20+ Weeks
“Custom” is often used as a marketing adjective rather than a true description. Two factors play into true custom hardware manufacturing, with the latter being as important as the first. 50% of companies fall into the first category. Less than 10% in the second.
1. Does it fit into their manufacturing process? Can they manufacture what is being asked for?
2. Do they have the knowledge, people, and support of management to do it? Do the want to do it?