Mama's Stuffin' is a popular food item during the fall and winter months, but it is marginal in the spring and summer. Use the following demand forecasts and costs to determine which of the following production planning strategies is best for Mama's Stuffin':
a. Level production over the 12 months.
b. Produce to meet demand each month. Absorb variations in demand by changing the size of the workforce.
c. Keep the workforce at its current level. Supplement with overtime and subcontracting as necessary.
Month
Demand Forecast
March
2000
April
1000
May
1000
June
1000
July
1000
August
1500
September
2500
October
3000
November
9000
December
7000
January
4000
February
3000
Overtime capacity per month
Regular production
Subcontracting capacity per month
Unlimited
Regular production cost
$30 per pallet
Overtime production cost
$40 per pallet
Subcontracting cost
$50 per pallet
Holding cost
$2 per pallet
Beginning workforce
10 workers
Production rate
200 pallets per worker per month
Hiring cost
$5000 per worker
Firing cost
$8000 per worker
Problem 14-10.
Design a production plan for Mama's Stuffin' in Problem 14.4 using linear programming and Excel Solver.
