Lead time is a design decision more than a factory fact

Operations · 2026-05-21

The number of distinct platforms in a range moves delivery time more than the number of machines on the floor does.

The number factories quote

Headline production capacity, and a lead time derived from it. The problem is that both figures describe the floor rather than your programme, and your programme is a small, specific part of it.

A programme with six models on one platform shares fixtures, test jigs, an inspection standard and often a first-article approval. A programme with six models on six platforms needs six of everything, and each one is a separate queue position.

What actually determines your date

In rough order of weight: distinct platforms in the range, new tooling, the certification route, artwork approval, order quantity against batch size, and where the programme sits in the queue relative to peak season.

Only two of those are operational. The rest are decisions made before production, which is why a launch date disclosed at quotation stage can change the plan, while the same date disclosed after production has started cannot.

How we quote lead time

Per model, based on its platform and its queue position, with the critical-path items — tooling, certification, artwork approval — listed separately. It is a less impressive number than a factory-wide figure and a far more useful one.

Where this sits in more detail

The reference pages behind this note, and the models it applies to.

Models this note applies to

Coffee Makers

Primary line. Parts-intensive, so the spares plan is designed with the product.

Grills & Baking

Primary line. Seasonal shape, pairs with pizza makers and air fryers.

More notes

• Why a platform structure lowers the cost of your second SKU2026-10-02Multi-model programmes are usually justified by volume discount. The stronger argument is that models sharing a platform share tooling, fixtures, test jigs and inspection points.
• Decide the destination market before the specification is frozen2026-09-18Six things change as soon as the destination country is fixed — voltage, plug, test scope, marks, labelling and importer identity. Most of them are expensive to change afterwards.
• Usable capacity versus total capacity: the cheapest return-rate fix available2026-08-27The most-cited reason for returns in the air fryer category is a specification wording problem rather than a product problem.
• Spare parts: a design decision, not an after-sales task2026-07-14A replacement-part list defined during design costs almost nothing. The same list assembled from field failures costs more and covers less.
• Exhibition report: what buyers asked that the catalogue did not answer2026-06-30Two days of conversations produced a list of questions that a product catalogue structurally cannot answer — and the pattern behind them.