Final answer:
The manufacturing process that begins only after a customer places an order is Make-to-order (MTO), which allows for customized products as per specific customer requests.
Step-by-step explanation:
The manufacturing process that starts only after a customer's order is received is b) Make-to-order (MTO). This approach allows businesses to customize products according to individual customer requirements. Unlike Make to Stock (MTS), which refers to producing items in anticipation of demand and keeping them in stock, MTO does not start the manufacturing process until an order is placed. Likewise, Assemble to Order (ATO) involves keeping basic components in stock but not assembling them until an order is received, while Engineer to Order (ETO) implies more complex customization, often for large projects where the design of the product itself takes place after receiving specific customer specifications.