Enabling mass customization: extending build-to-order concepts to supply chains

Mass customization initiatives are usually concerned with analysing and improving the flexibility of manufacturing operations to support the modular build of complex products. This paper is concerned with extending the concept of customization to manufacturing activities upstream of the final product assembly process. A case study is described that prototypes the use of an internet-enabled production information system designed to assess the feasibility of driving a build-to-order methodology through three tiers of a high-volume, high-variety supply chain. In addition, the characteristics that currently support mass customization environments and define the relationship between mass customization and supply-chain management are reviewed and discussed.