In this industry, products are processed in very large batches to keep unit prices low, ensure quality and take advantage of raw ingredient availability. This make-to-stock production strategy contrasts with the make-to-order principle frequently seen in other sectors such as the automobile industry. “To have the right quantity of the right products at the right place and time, we rely heavily on being able to predict the orders our customers will place as precisely as possible,” says Baumgartner.