Use This Information for Questions That Refer to the United

question 131

Multiple Choice

Use this information for questions that refer to the United Tools case. Terry Harter is marketing manager for United Tools,and Mike O'Reilly is the firm's logistics manager.They work together to make decisions about how to get United's hand and power tools to its customers-a mix of manufacturing plants and final consumers (who buy United tools at a hardware store) .United Tools does not own its own transport facilities,and it works with wholesalers to reach its business customers.
Together,Harter and O'Reilly try to coordinate transporting,storing,and product-handling activities to minimize cost while still achieving the customer service level their customers and intermediaries want.This usually requires that United keep an inventory of most of its products on hand; but demand for its products is fairly consistent over time,so inventory is easy to manage.
Harter has identified four options for physical distribution systems she could use to reach two of her key wholesalers,Ralston Supply and Ricotta Tool Co.The total cost for each option-and the distribution service levels that can be achieved-are as follows:
$\begin{array}{c}\begin{array}{lll}\\1.\\2.\\3.\\4.\\\\\end{array}\begin{array}{lll}\text{Main feature of system:}\\Airfreight\\Inland ~waterways\\Trucks\\Rail ~and ~regional\\warehouses\\\end{array}\begin{array}{lll}\begin{array}{rc}\text { Total Cost}&\text { Distribution Service Level }\\\$ 1,000,000 & 95 \text { percent } \\\$ 300,000 & 60 \text { percent } \\\$ 500,000 & 70 \text { percent } \\\$ 650,000 & 80 \text { percent }\\\\\end{array}\end{array}\end{array}$
Ralston Supply expects a very high level (90 percent) of distribution customer service.Ricotta Tool Co.is willing to settle for a 70 percent customer service -leveleven if that means some products will occasionally be out of -stockif it gets products at a lower price.
For its large retail hardware customers (like Home Depot) ,United regularly ships smaller orders directly to individual stores or in some cases to the retail chain's warehouses.Cross-country shipments usually go by rail,while regional shipments usually go by truck.
When United Tools considers its total inventory cost,which of the following would NOT be included?

• A)costs of damage to products while in inventory
• B)costs of inventory becoming obsolete
• C)cost of a storage facility
• D)cost of money tied up in inventory
• E)All of these should be included in total inventory cost.

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Definitions:

New Product

Describes a good or service that has recently been introduced to the market by a company.

First Development

The initial phase of growth or advancement in an area, organization, or system, marking the beginning of significant progress or change.

Process Innovation

The improvement or development of new methods in the production process, enhancing efficiency or productivity.

Total Product Curve

A graphical representation showing how total output of a firm varies with a change in a single input while holding other inputs constant.