Concept explainers
a
Interpretation:
Recommended production rate if level strategy is adopted.
Concept Introduction:
A Level strategy refers to keeping the regular production level constant even when the demand varies among different periods. Under this strategy, the labor and other resources have equal requirement throughout the planning horizon. Therefore, it is easy to implement the level strategy.
b
Interpretation:
Level production rate with no ending inventory in month 4
Concept Introduction:
A Level strategy refers to keeping the regular production level constant even when the demand varies among different periods. Under this strategy, the labor and other resources have equal requirement throughout the planning horizon. Therefore, it is easy to implement the level strategy.
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Check out a sample textbook solution- EZ-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_forwardDevelop a production plan and calculate the annual cost for a firm whose demand forecast is fall, 10,000; winter, 8,000; spring, 7,000; summer, 12,000. Inventory at the beginning of fall is 500 units. At the beginning of fall, you currently have 30 workers, but you plan to hire temporary workers at the beginning of summer and lay them off at the end of summer. In addition,you have negotiated with the union an option to use the regular workforce on overtime during winter or spring if overtime is necessary to prevent stock-outs at the end of those quarters. Overtime is not available during the fall. Relevant costs are hiring, $100 for each temp; layoff, $200 for each worker laid off; inventory holding, $5 per unit-quarter; backorder, $10 per unit; straight time, $5 per hour; over time, $8 per hour. Assume that productivity is 0.5 units per worker hour, with eight hours per day and 60 days per season. (Answer in Appendix D)arrow_forwardmanager has prepared a forecast of expected aggregate demand for the next six months. Develop an aggregate plan to meet this demand given this additional information: A level production rate of 1000 units per month can be used. Backorders are allowed, and they are charged at the rate of $8 per unit per month. Inventory holding costs are $1 per unit per month based on maximum inventory. Determine the cost of this plan if regular time cost is $20 per unit, beginning inventory is zero, and initial backlog from previous plan is 100. Month Forecast 1 800 2 100 3 1200 4 1100 5 1000 6 900 a. Prepare an aggregate plan.b. Prepare an aggregate plan if the management decided to switch to chase…arrow_forward
- . If the opening backlog is 450 units, forecast demand is 700 units, and production is800 units, what will be the ending backlog?arrow_forwardDevelop a production plan and calculate the annual cost for a firm whose demand forecast is fall, 11,000; winter, 8,000; spring, 6,000; summer, 13,000. Inventory at the beginning of fall is 500 units. At the beginning of fall you currently have 30 workers, but you plan to hire temporary workers at the beginning of summer and lay them off at the end of summer. In addition, you have negotiated with the union an option to use the regular workforce on overtime during winter or spring if overtime is necessary to prevent stockouts at the end of those quarters. Overtime is not available during the fall. Relevant costs are hiring, $100 for each temp; layoff $200 for each worker laid off; inventory holding, $5 per unit-quarter; backorder, $10 per unit; straight time, $5 per hour; overtime, $8 per hour. Assume that the productivity is 0.5 unit per worker hour, with eight hours per day and 60 days per season. a. What is the total cost for this plan?arrow_forwardForecast Data is given within problem. Cost Data is attached Southeast Soda Pop, Inc., has a new fruit drink for which it has high hopes. John Mittenthal, the production planner, has assembled the following cost data and demand forecast: LOADING... Click the icon to view the demand forecast. LOADING... Click the icon to view the cost data. John's job is to develop an aggregate plan. The three initial options he wants to evaluate are: • Plan A: a strategy that hires and fires personnel as necessary to meet the forecast. • Plan B: a level strategy. • Plan C: a level strategy that produces 1,000 cases per quarter and meets the forecast demand with inventory and subcontracting. Part 2 a) Which strategy is the lowest-cost plan? Try hiring and layoffs (to meet the forecast) as necessary (enter your responses as whole numbers). Hiring and Layoff Plan Quarter Forecast Production Hire (Units) Layoff (Units)…arrow_forward
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- Deb Bishop Health and Beauty Products has developed a new shampoo and you need to develop its aggregate schedule. The cost accounting department has supplied you the cost relevant to the aggregate plan and the marketing department has provided a four-quarter forecast. the four-quarter forecast. Quarter Forecast 1 1,400 2 1,100 3 1,700 4 1,300 the costs relevant to the aggregate plan. Costs Previous quarter's output 1,600 units Beginning inventory 0 units Stockout cost for backorders $55 per unit Inventory holding cost $11 per unit for every unit held at the end of the quarter Hiring workers $50 per unit Layoff workers $75 per unit Unit cost $35 per unit Overtime $20 extra per unit Subcontracting Not available Your job is to develop an aggregate plan for the next four quarters. Part 2 a) Try hiring and layoffs (to meet the forecast) as necessary…arrow_forwardPrepare a Master Production Schedule (MPS) for an Agri-Chemical company given the following information: The forecast for each week of an eightweek schedule is 50 units. The MPS rule is to schedule production if the projected on-hand inventory would be negative without it. Customer orders (committed) are as follows:Week Customer Orders1 522 353 204 12Use a production lot size of 75 units and no beginning inventory.arrow_forwardevelop a production plan and calculate the annual cost for a firm whose demand forecast is fall, 9,700; winter, 8,000; spring, 7,000; summer, 11,700. Inventory at the beginning of fall is 485 units. At the beginning of fall you currently have 35 workers, but you plan to hire temporary workers at the beginning of summer and lay them off at the end of summer. In addition, you have negotiated with the union an option to use the regular workforce on overtime during winter or spring only if overtime is necessary to prevent stockouts at the end of those quarters. Overtime is not available during the fall. Relevant costs are hiring, $80 for each temp; layoff, $160 for each worker laid off; inventory holding, $5 per unit-quarter; backorder, $10 per unit; straight time, $5 per hour; overtime, $8 per hour. Assume that the productivity is 0.5 unit per worker hour, with eight hours per day and 60 days per season. In each quarter, produce to the full output of your regular workforce, even if that…arrow_forward