A method of bottleneck control in build-to-order supply chain

Build-to-order (BTO) supply chain is a successful pattern for satisfying end customer needs. But the present product control strategies and methods like JIT are difficult to work in BTO supply chain. In this paper, a new theoretic approach to bottleneck identification in BTO supply chain is introduced. The approach is combined with the theory of constraints and input/output control. Using this approach, bottlenecks are defined, and their implications for production control are discussed. Then a production control model based on the bottlenecks is developed and analyzed. At last, a queuing model to describe the model is made.