In: Advanced Math
Manager T. C. Downs of Plum Engines, a producer of lawn mowers and leaf blowers, must develop an aggregate plan given the forecast for engine demand shown in the table. The department has a regular output capacity of 130 engines per month. Regular output has a cost of $60 per engine. The beginning inventory is zero engines. Overtime has a cost of $90 per engine.
| 
 MONTH  | 
||||||||
| 
 1  | 
 2  | 
 3  | 
 4  | 
 5  | 
 6  | 
 7  | 
 8  | 
 Total  | 
| 
 120  | 
 135  | 
 140  | 
 120  | 
 125  | 
 125  | 
 140  | 
 135  | 
 1,040  | 
| 
 a.  | 
 Develop a chase plan that matches the forecast and compute the total cost of your plan. Regular production can be less than regular capacity.  | 
| 
 b.  | 
 Compare the costs to a level plan that uses inventory to absorb fluctuations. Inventory carrying cost is $2 per engine per month. Backlog cost is $90 per engine per month. There should not be a backlog in the last month.  |