Time from order to factory shipment?

[saddammolla]

Limited Historical Data Availability: Publicly available detailed information like specific lead times from over two decades ago is scarce. Companies typically don't retain or publish such granular operational data for that long, especially for a general consumer or commercial audience.
Market Dynamics in 2000: The generator market in 2000 was significantly different than today.
Residential Generators: Home standby generators were far less common than they are now. The market was much smaller, and consumer awareness was lower. Most residential demand would have been for portable generators, which generally have shorter lead times as they are off-the-shelf products.
Commercial/Industrial Generators: This segment was more established, but sales were often project-based, involving custom specifications, engineering, and installation.
Less Supply Chain Volatility: The global supply chain issues that have impacted lead times significantly in recent years (e.g., post-COVID-19) were not a factor in 2000.
"Lead Time" Definition: The term "lead time" itself can vary. Does it mean:

Time from order to arrival at the dealer?
Time from order to complete installation at the customer's site (which includes dealer scheduling, permits, etc.)?
However, we can make an educated guess based on the canada phone number list context of the time:

For Standard (Non-Custom) Generac Generators (Portable and smaller Residential):

Likely Lead Times (Order to Dealer Availability): Probably 1-4 weeks. These would have been stocked by distributors and larger dealers.
Factors:
Dealer Inventory: A dealer with inventory could fulfill orders immediately.
Distribution Network: Generac had a well-established distribution network, which would have facilitated relatively quick movement of standard units.
Lower Demand: The overall market for home standby generators was not as robust, so factory production might have been able to keep pace with demand more easily than in later years.
For Larger or More Custom Generac Generators (Commercial/Industrial):

Likely Lead Times (Order to Factory Shipment): Could range from 4-12 weeks or more, depending on customization.
Factors:
Specific Configurations: Commercial generators are often built to order with specific power requirements, enclosures, fuel types, and control systems.
Engineering and Production Scheduling: These larger units require more complex manufacturing processes and fit into factory production schedules.
Project-Based Sales: Often part of a larger construction or facility upgrade project, so lead times might have been coordinated with project timelines.