Use This Information for Questions That Refer to the United

question 138

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: 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 level, even if that means some products will occasionally be out of stock, if 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.
-One of United's biggest customers has placed a very large, heavy order. Its warehouse is in a location served by all transport modes, and the customer has directed United to ship the order by the mode with the lowest transport costs. In this situation, United will probably ship the tools by

• A) Airfreight
• B) Trucks
• C) Waterways
• D) Railroads

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Definitions:

Cash Outflow

Money going out of a business as a result of payments made to others, including expenses, investments, and loan repayments.

Cash Flows

The total amount of money being transferred into and out of a business, especially affecting liquidity.

Company Name

The official legal name under which a business operates and is registered under law.

QuickBooks

An accounting software package developed and marketed by Intuit, aimed at small and medium-sized businesses for managing payroll, inventory, sales, and other financial needs.