Abstract: The make-to-order (MTO) supply chain systems are discussed in this paper. Aiming at achieving the highest efficiency for the whole supply chain, a supply chain decision improvement model is established. It determines not only the optimal price, but also identifies the feasibility of improvement plans according to the relationship between time and cost. A numerical example from practical application in enginery industry is presented to verify the proposed method. Results show that, by the proposed method, it can find solutions with satisfied accuracy and it is practically useful. Thus, this model provides effective time-based decision-making method for enterprises.

Key words: made to order, time-based competition, supply chain improvement, delivery time