In: Operations Management
Product Mix for TJ, Inc.
TJ's, Inc., makes three nut mixes for sale to grocery chains located in the Southeast. The three mixes, referred to as the Regular Mix, the Deluxe Mix, and the Holiday Mix, are made by mixing different percentages of five types of nuts. In preparation for the fall season, TJ's purchased the following shipments of nuts at the prices shown:
Type of Nut |
Shipment Amount (pounds) |
Cost per Shipment |
Almond |
6000 |
$7500 |
Brazil |
7500 |
$7125 |
Filbert |
7500 |
$6750 |
Pecan |
6000 |
$7200 |
Walnut |
7500 |
$7875 |
The Regular Mix consists of 15% almonds, 25% Brazil nuts,
25% filberts, 10% pecans, and 25% walnuts. The Deluxe Mix consists
of 20% of each type of nut, and the Holiday Mix consists of 25%
almonds, 15% Brazil nuts, 15% filberts, 25% pecans, and 20%
walnuts.
TJ's accountant analyzed the cost of packaging materials,
sales price per pound, and so forth, and determined that the profit
contribution per pound is $1.65 for the Regular Mix, $2.00 for the
Deluxe Mix, and $2.25 for the Holiday Mix.
Customer orders already received are summarized here:
Type of Mix |
Orders (pounds) |
Regular |
10,000 |
Deluxe |
3,000 |
Holiday |
5,000 |
Because demand is running high, TJ's expects to receive many more orders than can be satisfied, but TJ's president indicated that the orders already received must be satisfied.
1. What is the cost per pound of the Regular, Deluxe, and Holiday mixes?
2. Formulate this case problem as a linear program. What is the optimal product mix for TJ? What is the expected total profit contribution? Include a copy of the sensitivity report.
3. Should TJ management consider buying additional
almonds, if available? If so, how many pounds should they buy, and
what is the maximum price per pound they should pay?
4. Explain the negative shadow price for the required amount of
Holiday mix.
5. Assuming TJ could not purchase additional nuts, what
else could management do to increase profits? How much more profit
could they make?