Which of the following strategies produces the longest delivery lead time?

The strategy that produces the longest delivery lead time is the make-to-order approach. In this strategy, products are not manufactured until a customer places an order, which means that production starts only after the order is received. This inherently leads to longer lead times since the company must first design, manufacture, and then deliver the product, resulting in delays compared to other strategies.

Make-to-order is often used for customized products, where the specific requirements of each customer dictate the design and production process. This customization process means that the product is not pre-made and waiting for sale, thus adding to the total time before the customer receives their order.

In contrast, assemble-to-order allows for faster fulfillment by having components pre-manufactured and on hand, ready to be assembled once an order is received. Make-to-stock involves producing goods based on anticipated demand, allowing for immediate shipping, which significantly reduces delivery lead time. Continuous manufacturing focuses on producing goods in a constant flow, which also minimizes delays. Overall, the make-to-order strategy will generally lead to the longest delivery lead time due to its reliance on waiting for customer orders before production commences.