Midlife Shoes, Inc, is a manufacturer of sensible shoes for aging baby-boomers. The company is having great success, and although demand is seasonal, it is expected to increase steadily over the next few years. The company is purchasing a new facility to accommodate the increase in demand, but the facility will not open until 13 months from now. The current facility can only accommodate 15 workers. Hiring and firing costs are negligible. Using the information below, help Midlife manage this transition year by deriving a production plan that will meet demand at the lowest cost. With the limited workforce size, neither chase demand nor level production is viable.
Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solutionChapter 14 Solutions
Operations and Supply Chain Management, 9th Edition WileyPLUS Registration Card + Loose-leaf Print Companion
Additional Business Textbook Solutions
Operations Management
Operations Management: Processes and Supply Chains (12th Edition) (What's New in Operations Management)
Operations Management, Binder Ready Version: An Integrated Approach
Principles of Operations Management: Sustainability and Supply Chain Management (10th Edition)
Business in Action
Business in Action (8th Edition)
- Scenario 4 Sharon Gillespie, a new buyer at Visionex, Inc., was reviewing quotations for a tooling contract submitted by four suppliers. She was evaluating the quotes based on price, target quality levels, and delivery lead time promises. As she was working, her manager, Dave Cox, entered her office. He asked how everything was progressing and if she needed any help. She mentioned she was reviewing quotations from suppliers for a tooling contract. Dave asked who the interested suppliers were and if she had made a decision. Sharon indicated that one supplier, Apex, appeared to fit exactly the requirements Visionex had specified in the proposal. Dave told her to keep up the good work. Later that day Dave again visited Sharons office. He stated that he had done some research on the suppliers and felt that another supplier, Micron, appeared to have the best track record with Visionex. He pointed out that Sharons first choice was a new supplier to Visionex and there was some risk involved with that choice. Dave indicated that it would please him greatly if she selected Micron for the contract. The next day Sharon was having lunch with another buyer, Mark Smith. She mentioned the conversation with Dave and said she honestly felt that Apex was the best choice. When Mark asked Sharon who Dave preferred, she answered, Micron. At that point Mark rolled his eyes and shook his head. Sharon asked what the body language was all about. Mark replied, Look, I know youre new but you should know this. I heard last week that Daves brother-in-law is a new part owner of Micron. I was wondering how soon it would be before he started steering business to that company. He is not the straightest character. Sharon was shocked. After a few moments, she announced that her original choice was still the best selection. At that point Mark reminded Sharon that she was replacing a terminated buyer who did not go along with one of Daves previous preferred suppliers. What does the Institute of Supply Management code of ethics say about financial conflicts of interest?arrow_forwardScenario 4 Sharon Gillespie, a new buyer at Visionex, Inc., was reviewing quotations for a tooling contract submitted by four suppliers. She was evaluating the quotes based on price, target quality levels, and delivery lead time promises. As she was working, her manager, Dave Cox, entered her office. He asked how everything was progressing and if she needed any help. She mentioned she was reviewing quotations from suppliers for a tooling contract. Dave asked who the interested suppliers were and if she had made a decision. Sharon indicated that one supplier, Apex, appeared to fit exactly the requirements Visionex had specified in the proposal. Dave told her to keep up the good work. Later that day Dave again visited Sharons office. He stated that he had done some research on the suppliers and felt that another supplier, Micron, appeared to have the best track record with Visionex. He pointed out that Sharons first choice was a new supplier to Visionex and there was some risk involved with that choice. Dave indicated that it would please him greatly if she selected Micron for the contract. The next day Sharon was having lunch with another buyer, Mark Smith. She mentioned the conversation with Dave and said she honestly felt that Apex was the best choice. When Mark asked Sharon who Dave preferred, she answered, Micron. At that point Mark rolled his eyes and shook his head. Sharon asked what the body language was all about. Mark replied, Look, I know youre new but you should know this. I heard last week that Daves brother-in-law is a new part owner of Micron. I was wondering how soon it would be before he started steering business to that company. He is not the straightest character. Sharon was shocked. After a few moments, she announced that her original choice was still the best selection. At that point Mark reminded Sharon that she was replacing a terminated buyer who did not go along with one of Daves previous preferred suppliers. Ethical decisions that affect a buyers ethical perspective usually involve the organizational environment, cultural environment, personal environment, and industry environment. Analyze this scenario using these four variables.arrow_forwardScenario 4 Sharon Gillespie, a new buyer at Visionex, Inc., was reviewing quotations for a tooling contract submitted by four suppliers. She was evaluating the quotes based on price, target quality levels, and delivery lead time promises. As she was working, her manager, Dave Cox, entered her office. He asked how everything was progressing and if she needed any help. She mentioned she was reviewing quotations from suppliers for a tooling contract. Dave asked who the interested suppliers were and if she had made a decision. Sharon indicated that one supplier, Apex, appeared to fit exactly the requirements Visionex had specified in the proposal. Dave told her to keep up the good work. Later that day Dave again visited Sharons office. He stated that he had done some research on the suppliers and felt that another supplier, Micron, appeared to have the best track record with Visionex. He pointed out that Sharons first choice was a new supplier to Visionex and there was some risk involved with that choice. Dave indicated that it would please him greatly if she selected Micron for the contract. The next day Sharon was having lunch with another buyer, Mark Smith. She mentioned the conversation with Dave and said she honestly felt that Apex was the best choice. When Mark asked Sharon who Dave preferred, she answered, Micron. At that point Mark rolled his eyes and shook his head. Sharon asked what the body language was all about. Mark replied, Look, I know youre new but you should know this. I heard last week that Daves brother-in-law is a new part owner of Micron. I was wondering how soon it would be before he started steering business to that company. He is not the straightest character. Sharon was shocked. After a few moments, she announced that her original choice was still the best selection. At that point Mark reminded Sharon that she was replacing a terminated buyer who did not go along with one of Daves previous preferred suppliers. What should Sharon do in this situation?arrow_forward
- Scenario 3 Ben Gibson, the purchasing manager at Coastal Products, was reviewing purchasing expenditures for packaging materials with Jeff Joyner. Ben was particularly disturbed about the amount spent on corrugated boxes purchased from Southeastern Corrugated. Ben said, I dont like the salesman from that company. He comes around here acting like he owns the place. He loves to tell us about his fancy car, house, and vacations. It seems to me he must be making too much money off of us! Jeff responded that he heard Southeastern Corrugated was going to ask for a price increase to cover the rising costs of raw material paper stock. Jeff further stated that Southeastern would probably ask for more than what was justified simply from rising paper stock costs. After the meeting, Ben decided he had heard enough. After all, he prided himself on being a results-oriented manager. There was no way he was going to allow that salesman to keep taking advantage of Coastal Products. Ben called Jeff and told him it was time to rebid the corrugated contract before Southeastern came in with a price increase request. Who did Jeff know that might be interested in the business? Jeff replied he had several companies in mind to include in the bidding process. These companies would surely come in at a lower price, partly because they used lower-grade boxes that would probably work well enough in Coastal Products process. Jeff also explained that these suppliers were not serious contenders for the business. Their purpose was to create competition with the bids. Ben told Jeff to make sure that Southeastern was well aware that these new suppliers were bidding on the contract. He also said to make sure the suppliers knew that price was going to be the determining factor in this quote, because he considered corrugated boxes to be a standard industry item. Is Ben Gibson acting legally? Is he acting ethically? Why or why not?arrow_forwardScenario 3 Ben Gibson, the purchasing manager at Coastal Products, was reviewing purchasing expenditures for packaging materials with Jeff Joyner. Ben was particularly disturbed about the amount spent on corrugated boxes purchased from Southeastern Corrugated. Ben said, I dont like the salesman from that company. He comes around here acting like he owns the place. He loves to tell us about his fancy car, house, and vacations. It seems to me he must be making too much money off of us! Jeff responded that he heard Southeastern Corrugated was going to ask for a price increase to cover the rising costs of raw material paper stock. Jeff further stated that Southeastern would probably ask for more than what was justified simply from rising paper stock costs. After the meeting, Ben decided he had heard enough. After all, he prided himself on being a results-oriented manager. There was no way he was going to allow that salesman to keep taking advantage of Coastal Products. Ben called Jeff and told him it was time to rebid the corrugated contract before Southeastern came in with a price increase request. Who did Jeff know that might be interested in the business? Jeff replied he had several companies in mind to include in the bidding process. These companies would surely come in at a lower price, partly because they used lower-grade boxes that would probably work well enough in Coastal Products process. Jeff also explained that these suppliers were not serious contenders for the business. Their purpose was to create competition with the bids. Ben told Jeff to make sure that Southeastern was well aware that these new suppliers were bidding on the contract. He also said to make sure the suppliers knew that price was going to be the determining factor in this quote, because he considered corrugated boxes to be a standard industry item. As the Marketing Manager for Southeastern Corrugated, what would you do upon receiving the request for quotation from Coastal Products?arrow_forwardThe Cheyenne Hotel in Big Sky, Montana, has accumulated records of the total electrical costs of the hotel and the number of occupancy-days over the last year. An occupancy-day represents a room rented for one day. The hotel’s business is highly seasonal, with peaks occurring during the ski season and in the summer. Month Occupancy-Days Electrical Costs January 2,630 $ 10,783 February 3,130 $ 12,833 March 3,640 $ 13,583 April 1,090 $ 4,469 May 1,770 $ 7,257 June 1,730 $ 7,093 July 4,440 $ 14,854 August 3,860 $ 13,815 September 2,170 $ 8,897 October 1,210 $ 4,961 November 1,790 $ 7,339 December 2,930 $ 12,013 Required: 1. Using the high-low method, estimate the fixed cost of electricity per month and the variable cost of electricity per occupancy-day. (Do not round your intermediate calculations. Round your Variable cost answer to 2 decimal places and Fixed cost element answer to nearest whole dollar amount.) What other factors in addition to…arrow_forward
- Deforrest Marine Motors manufactures engines for the speedboat racing circuit. As part of their annual planning cycle, they forecasted demand for the next four quarters. The number of available days of production and the anticipated demand are given below. Employees Production Rate Production Cost Backorder Cost Overtime Cost Overtime Limit Demand Q1 2,400 6,019,000 They also estimated many of the costs required to conduct operations planning. Some of these key figures are listed below. 30 70 units/employee/quarter Q2 2,200 $1,000/unit $200/unit/quarter $1,500/unit <= 25% of Reg. Production Q3 1,700 Q4 1,800 Hire Cost Fire Cost Subcontracting Cost Subcontracting Limit Inventory Cost Initial Inventory $1,200/employee $800/employee $1,800/unit 400 units maximum $100/unit/quarter 280 units Deforrest Marine Motors wishes to maintain the current number of employees for the entire year to follow a level strategy balanced with inventory and backorders as needed. What is the total cost of this…arrow_forwardEZ-Windows, Inc. manufacturers replacement windows for the home remodeling business. In January, the company produces 15,000 windows and ended the month with 9,000 windows in inventory. EZ-Windows' management team would like to develop a production schedule for the next three months. A smooth production schedule is obviously desirable because it maintains the current workforce and provides a similar month-to-month operation. However, given the sales forecasts, the productioncapacities, and the storage capabilities as shown in Table 2, the management team does not think a smooth production schedule with the same production quantity each month possible.The company's cost accounting department estimates that increasing production by one window from one month to the next will increase total costs by $1.00 for each unit increase in the production level. In addition, decreasing production by one unit from one month to the next will increase total costs by $0.65 for each unit decrease in the…arrow_forwardCharles Lackey operates a bakery in Idaho Falls,Idaho. Because of its excellent product and excellent location,demand has increased by 25% in the last year. On far too manyoccasions, customers have not been able to purchase the bread oftheir choice. Because of the size of the store, no new ovens can beadded. At a staff meeting, one employee suggested ways to loadthe ovens differently so that more loaves of bread can be baked atone time. This new process will require that the ovens be loadedby hand, requiring additional manpower. This is the only thingto be changed. If the bakery makes 1,500 loaves per month witha labor productivity of 2.344 loaves per labor-hour, how manyworkers will Lackey need to add? (Hint: Each worker works160 hours per month.)arrow_forward
- Please provide me the brief analysis of this - Sheri has been employed as a limo driver in the past but is currently working as a Lyft and DoorDash driver. In discussion with Keon, she grew excited and mentioned she would love to work with him. Since one of the current drivers is retiring, Keon believes he can hire her on a part-time basis for $20,000 a year. Based on current numbers (with no driver on salary), this would be a 8% reduction in operating cost for one limo. However, Keon wants more advice on hiring Sheri on salary versus paying her hourly. Sheri is also quite talented with marketing and using social media. Keon believes she can have the same impact as spending $1,000 a month for advertising. Keon is wondering if he should offer her a business partnership deal. He would give her 40% of the business if she invested $30,000 and worked full-time as a driver/marketer. Keon wants a detailed analysis on this business partnership idea, including general pros and cons of running a…arrow_forwardcan you answer this please?arrow_forwardplease answer both the questions within 30 minutes. make sure both the questions are answered else i will give negative ratings.arrow_forward
- MarketingMarketingISBN:9780357033791Author:Pride, William MPublisher:South Western Educational PublishingPractical Management ScienceOperations ManagementISBN:9781337406659Author:WINSTON, Wayne L.Publisher:Cengage,Purchasing and Supply Chain ManagementOperations ManagementISBN:9781285869681Author:Robert M. Monczka, Robert B. Handfield, Larry C. Giunipero, James L. PattersonPublisher:Cengage Learning