Hadn't a production in the pipeline (2,4)

I believe the answer is:

at hand

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'in the pipeline' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'hadn't a production' is the wordplay.
'production' indicates an anagram.
'hadnt'+'a'='hadnta'
'hadnta' is an anagram of 'AT HAND'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for at hand that I've seen before include "conveniently close" , "Readily accessible" , "present" , "Conveniently placed" , "Within easy reach" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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