Chapter 3: Q14-1DQ (page 368)
Is it possible to achieve zero inventories? Why or why not?
Short Answer
Inventory refers to a firm's ready-to-sell items, as well as the materials utilized to manufacture goods.
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Chapter 3: Q14-1DQ (page 368)
Is it possible to achieve zero inventories? Why or why not?
Inventory refers to a firm's ready-to-sell items, as well as the materials utilized to manufacture goods.
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The owner of a large machine shop has just finished its financial analysis from the prior fiscal year. Following is an excerpt from the final report:

a. Compute the inventory turnover ratio (ITR).
b. Compute the weeks of supply (WS).
Question:U.S. Air filter has hired you as a supply chain consultant. The company makes air filters for residential heating and air-conditioning systems. These filters are made in a single plant located in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States. They are distributed to retailers through wholesale centers in 100 locations in the United States, Canada, and Europe. You have collected the following data relating to the value of inventory in the U.S. Air filter supply chain:
Quarter 1 (January through March) | Quarter 2 (April through June) | Quarter 3 (July through September) | Quarter 4 (October through December) | |
Sales (total quarter): | ||||
United States | 300 | 350 | 405 | 375 |
Canada | 75 | 60 | 75 | 70 |
Europe | 30 | 33 | 20 | 15 |
Cost of goods sold (total quarter) | 280 | 295 | 340 | 350 |
Raw materials at the Louisville plant (end-of-quarter) | 50 | 40 | 55 | 60 |
Work-in-process and finished goods at the Louisville plant (end-of-quarter) | 100 | 105 | 120 | 150 |
Distribution centre inventory (end-of-quarter): | ||||
United States | 25 | 27 | 23 | 30 |
Canada | 10 | 11 | 15 | 16 |
Europe | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
a. What is the average inventory turnover for the firm?
b. If you were given the assignment to increase inventory turnover, what would you focus on? Why?
c. The company reported that it used $500M worth of raw material during the year. On average, how many weeks of supply of raw material are on hand at the factory?
How do facility location decisions differ for service facilities and manufacturing plants?
Transmissions are delivered to the fabrication line four at a time. It takes one hour for transmissions to be delivered. Approximately four vehicles are produced each hour, and management has decided that 50 percent of expected demand should be maintained as safety stock. How many kanban card sets are needed?
What do you call the average total value of all items held in inventory for a firm, at cost?
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