It is usually a pretty rare occurrence that you are able to place an order for raw materials or products for the precise quantity that you need for a customer order. More likely, you order products in greater volume than you need, which can be advantageous if you get a price break and if you know you can use it for a future customer order. Add the variable of time to that equation - ordering early can lead to price breaks, plus the wiggle room you may need for a manufacturing or assembly [...]