Question

Given the following production plan, use a chase production strategy to compute the monthly production, ending inventory/(backlog), net requirements and required workforce levels. A worker can produce 75 units per month. Assume that the beginning inventory in January is 750 units, and the firm desires to have 750 units of inventory at the end of June.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Demand 2100 3000 5100 6000 4800 2400

Required:
a. What are the net requirements for January?
b. What month has the highest number of workers required?
c. What is the production level for June?
d. How many people will be employed for the month of January?

Answer 1

Answer:

Computation of the monthly production, ending inventory/(backlog), net requirements and required workforce levels:

a. The net requirements for January = 2,025 units and 27 workers.

b. The month with the highest number of workers required is April.

c. The production level for June is 2,475 units

d. 27 workers will be employed for the month of January.

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Production per worker per month = 75 units

Beginning inventory in January = 750 units

Desired ending inventory in June = 750 units

Production Schedule, using the chase production strategy:

Month                                     Jan      Feb      Mar       Apr      May      Jun

Beginning inventory               75          0          0            0          0          0

Monthly production          2,025   3,000   5,100   6,000   4,800   2,475

Net requirements              2,100   3,000   5,100   6,000   4,800   2,400

Ending inventory/(backlog)      0          0          0           0          0         75

Required workforce levels    27        40        68         80        64         33