Question

While the demand for regular fabric has declined, the demand for medical-grade fabric has been surging in the market. In response, the management at Fabric Mills quickly bumped up the regular output of medical-grade fabric by reassigning workers from the production of regular fabric and rehiring retired workers. Table 2 shows the demand forecast and capacity for medical-grade fabric. Note that overtime is limited to 20% of the regular capacity. The availability of subcontract is also limited due to the capacity shortage worldwide.

Table 2: Demand Forecast and Capacity for Medical-Grade Fabric (in Hundreds of Bolts)

Month	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Forecast	300	300	300	200	200	100	100
Regular Capacity	200	200	200	150	150	150	150
Overtime	40	40	40	30	30	30	30
Subcontract	50	50	50	50	50	50	50

The table below summarizes the cost information for medical-grade fabric.

Regular output	$80 per hundred bolts
Overtime	$120 per hundred bolts
Subcontract	$100 per hundred bolts
Inventory carrying cost	$10 per hundred bolts
Backlog	$150 per hundred bolts

QUESTION 6

To begin with, Chris assumes that both ending inventory and backlog in Month 4 are zero for simplicity. Under this scenario, develop a chase plan. Backlog is allowed. Which month has the largest amount of backlog?

Hints:

• Enter “0” in Cell D9 and Cell D11 in the Aggregate Planning worksheet.
• Use regular output as much as possible to satisfy demand as it’s the most inexpensive option.
• If demand exceeds regular output, use subcontract next (the second inexpensive option) and then overtime (the least inexpensive option).
• If there is still unfilled demand, you are allowed to have backlog.
• Although backlog is allowed, reduce it as much as possible as it’s very expensive.
• As it’s a chase plan, no inventory should be carried.

1. Month 5
2. Month 6
3. Month 7
4. None of the above

QUESTION 7

In the chase plan developed in QUESTION 6, how much is the total cost?

1. $128,000
2. $140,000
3. $140,600
4. $149,000

QUESTION 8

Under the scenario in QUESTION 6, now develop a level plan. Backlog is allowed. How much is the total cost?

Hint:

• In a level plan, you cannot reduce regular outputs. You need to use all available regular outputs.
• If regular outputs fall short of demand, use subcontract and overtime (in this order) to fill the gap.

1. $128,000
2. $140,000
3. $140,600
4. $149,000

QUESTION 9

Chris now considers a different scenario. Given the surging demand for medical-grade fabric, it is likely that there will be unfilled demand in Month 4. He estimates that 100(00) bolts will be backlogged at the end of Month 4. This implies that there is no ending inventory in Month 4. Under this scenario, develop a chase plan. Backlog is allowed. How much is the total cost?

Hints:

• Enter “0” in Cell D9 and “100” in Cell D11 in the Aggregate Planning worksheet.
• Also see the hints in QUESTION 6. All the hints, excluding the first one, apply to this question as well.

1. $210,300
2. $210,700
3. $220,100
4. $220,500

QUESTION 10

Under the scenario in QUESTION 9, develop a level plan. Then, compare its total cost to the total cost in the chase plan developed in QUESTION 9. Which plan has a lower total cost?

1. The chase plan
2. The level plan

Answer 1