Case Analysis For Bridgestone

Assuming that the company’s goal is to maximize profits, the current cost system is not an appropriate tool for strategic planning. The ambiguity of the overhead costs per product makes it difficult to accurately analyze the cause and effect relationships of changes and/or improvements to specific product line.

1. What is the weighted average contribution margin (WACM) percentage for Bridgestone’s next annual budget?

MTC initially needed to obtain substantial investment capital due to two main factors: a research-heavy industry, and the need to create most of the markets for its products. Although the founders' goal was to become a major manufacturing company, they did estimate that the company would need $50 million in capital before it would become self-sufficient. Their initial financing model was to first recruit a superior technical team, use that to attract additional equity investment and development funding from interested corporations, and then develop manufacturing capabilities. Commercial sales began 2.5 years after inception, and MTC is nearing the break-even point in 1990.

HeadGear, Inc is a small manufacturer of headphones for use in commercial and personal applications. In recent times, the demand for headphones has grown steadily; however, the company’s profits have grown at a slower rate. John Hurley, the chief executive officer (CEO), is concerned about the falling productivity and increasing costs. John is aware that if the profits continue to decline, the result can negatively affect the stock price of the company. A decline in stock prices will hinder the firm's ability to raise new investment

Winnebago operates in the luxury recreational motor vehicles industry. It’s main competitors are Thor industries, Malibu Boats, Polaris Industries, and Brunswick Corporation. These firms were chosen due to the fact that, while they may not all be in the RV industry, they sell similar products as Winnebago. Winnebago’s main line of business in the RV industry of all classes A, B, and C. Thor is the most similar to Winnebago due to the fact that all of its products are specifically in RV industry. Polaris, Brunswick offer a variety of products along with Recreational vehicles such from everything to snowmobiles to gym equipment. Malibu specializes in the boating industry, specifically small boats and boating accessories. The four competitors and Winnebago manufacture the products at their distribution centers and distribute them to to dealers who sell their products to the end customers. We have researched the luxury motor vehicle industry using the Porters Five Forces Model. The Porters Five Forces Model helped us analyze the different trends within the industry and see where Winnebago stands within them.

The front-end loader project would require that the company would produce small front-end loaders and sell its product to construction companies, farmers and ranchers through retail establishments and to the military and municipal government directly. This is a completely new business venture for the Pleasure Crafts INC. It will draw upon its strengths in small-engine manufacturing. However, to make the final

As Motorking Corporation considers introducing its now “gas extender” product into the market, the management must consider various factors to determine if this is a good financial move. The production manager needs to determine if the product will generate a profit for the corporation, how much product is expected to sell to determine how much to produce and how much to outsource.

This case analysis explores the possibility of Breezy, a leading supplier of carburators and air filters in North America, the possibility of developing offshore busines in countries where car manufacturing is growing. The report is structured as follows: First, there are five important questions that Breezy must consider and ask itself before developing a relationship with a new customer. After Breezy decides to go offshore, it will have to go through the negotiating process, which involves five steps. Breezy then, must have capabilities of how an offshore business is organized, consider the many different costs and risks involved in the implementation and decide how it will finance the project. The report also talks

During this time, sales increased from: $7.11 billion in 2010 to $7.99 billion in 2012. Earnings improved from $2.84 to $3.57. While the total amount of dividends rose from $1.00 to $1.72. These figures are showing how the company has been continually increasing sales, earnings and dividends over the last three years. In the future, the management predicts that their current strategy will increase returns. As, executives believe that their focus on building the brand and accounting for costs will lead to net earnings of $5.20 to $7.19 annually by

The Wiethoff Company has a contract to produce 10000 garden hoses for a customer. Wiethoff has 4 different machines that can produce this kind of hose. Because these machines are from different manufacturers and use differing technologies, their specifications are not the same.

Brazilian multinational corporation, Metalfrio Solutions S.A., is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of plug-in commercial refrigeration equipment. They seek differentiation through innovation and customer relationships, through their brands of Metalfrio, Derby, Caravell and Klimasan, to meet the different needs of their customers (“Metalfrio”). In addition, Metalfrio goes beyond just their point of sales, as they include services along with their products, adding value and uniqueness to the company. However, it has taken many years to get to where they are now.

The valves that the company makes are produced using four different machine components and are produced and shipped in large lots. Scott feels as if the competitors are now able to match their quality but have yet to try and gain market share by cutting the prices of their valves. Additionally, the pumps are made using five components from machines and then assembled into the final product. These are then shipping to the industrial companies that have purchased these pumps. One issue is that competitors keep lowering their prices on their own pumps, so Wilkerson has to match these and lower their prices as well. This makes it hard for Wilkerson to keep their gross margin profits up since their prices continue to lower. Last, the flow controllers need more labor and machining components than either the pumps or the valves. Additionally, there are many other alternatives that are used in the industry so more product runs are needed for these versus the pumps or valves. Also, more shipments are needed for these since there are shipped to industrial companies. The flow controllers were doing better than the valves or the pumps since Wilkerson was able to raise their

     Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, was founded in 1898 and was the world tire production leader until November 1990 when Groupe Michelin took over after merging with Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company.

* unity of purpose and focus under a common corporate strategy (further supporting the firm’s strategy as it relates to acquisitions and divestitures);

They are a small, local company that assumingly delivers quality products on time and at the convenience of their buyer’s needs. While their relationship with CJI appears to have been professional and successful, they will not be able to continue to supply CJI with all of their bilge pumps once the demand reaches 50 pumps monthly. This situation forces them to consider their options which are: to expand their production capabilities or maintain their current production levels and risk losing their business with CJI.