A company has the following demand data for the last three years of sales for their popular product B. There are currently 5 workers assigned to the production line, each capable of producing approximately 8 units per month. It is assumed that each month has the same number of production days. They can hire more workers at a hiring and training cost of $800 per worker. If they layoff any workers, the unemployment cost is $2,000 per worker. The product has a standard production cost (labor, material, and overhead) of $300 per unit. The extra cost to produce one unit on overtime is $50 and the maximum overtime is two units per month per worker. They can use inventory but it will cost them $25 per unit per month for any unit in inventory at the end of the month. Failure to meet market demand typically will imply the customer will buy from another supplier, and therefore cost the company $100 in profit. They currently have 0 units in inventory. a. Use the demand data to develop a forecast for 2020 annual demand (month by month). What method did you use and why? b. Use your forecast data to develop a Sales & Operation Plan that you think is the best. Discuss why you think your method is the best and discuss the pros and cons of using your method over alternative approaches (considering using the chase, level and combination strategy).

Practical Management Science

6th Edition

ISBN:9781337406659

Author:WINSTON, Wayne L.

Publisher:WINSTON, Wayne L.

Chapter2: Introduction To Spreadsheet Modeling

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 20P: Julie James is opening a lemonade stand. She believes the fixed cost per week of running the stand...

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A company has the following demand data for the last three years of sales for their popular product B.

There are currently 5 workers assigned to the production line, each capable of producing approximately 8 units per month. It is assumed that each month has the same number of production days. They can hire more workers at a hiring and training cost of $800 per worker. If they layoff any workers, the unemployment cost is $2,000 per worker. The product has a standard production cost (labor, material, and overhead) of $300 per unit. The extra cost to produce one unit on overtime is $50 and the maximum overtime is two units per month per worker. They can use inventory but it will cost them $25 per unit per month for any unit in inventory at the end of the month. Failure to meet market demand typically will imply the customer will buy from another supplier, and therefore cost the company $100 in profit. They currently have 0 units in inventory.

a. Use the demand data to develop a forecast for 2020 annual demand (month by month). What method did you use and why?

b. Use your forecast data to develop a Sales & Operation Plan that you think is the best. Discuss why you think your method is the best and discuss the pros and cons of using your method over alternative approaches (considering using the chase, level and combination strategy).