Mindeststückzahl

Mindeststückzahl, often abbreviated as MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity), refers to the smallest number of units that a supplier is willing to sell or produce in a single order. This quantity is determined by various factors, including production costs, efficiency of manufacturing processes, packaging requirements, and shipping logistics. For manufacturers, a certain volume is often necessary to achieve economies of scale, making smaller orders less profitable or even unprofitable to fulfill.

Businesses that require custom-made products or components frequently encounter MOQ. Suppliers set these minimums to cover the setup costs associated with a production run, such as machine calibration, material procurement, and labor allocation. If an order falls below the MOQ, the per-unit cost for the customer would typically be significantly higher to compensate the supplier for the less efficient production.

Customers need to be aware of the MOQ when sourcing materials or products. Negotiating MOQs can be a crucial aspect of procurement, especially for startups or smaller businesses that may not be able to commit to large volumes initially. In some cases, suppliers might offer tiered pricing, where the per-unit cost decreases as the order quantity increases, with the MOQ representing the threshold for the lowest price point. Understanding and managing MOQs is essential for efficient supply chain management and cost control.