Question: Snoblo, a manufacturer of snowblowers, sells four models. The base model, Reguplo, has demand that is normally distributed, with a mean of 10,000 and a stand deviation of 1,000. The three other models have additional features, and each has demand that is normally distributed, with a mean of 1,000 and a standard deviation of 700. Currently all four models are manufactured on the same line at a cost of $100 for Reguplo and $110 for each of the other three models. Reguplo sells for $200, whereas each of the other three models sells for $220. Any unsold blowers are sold at the end of the season for $80. Snoblo is considering the use of tailored sourcing by setting up two separate lines, one for Reguplo and one for the other three. Given that no changeovers will be required on the Reguplo line, the production cost of Reguplo is expected to decline to $90. The production cost of the other three products, however, will now increase to $120.
a) How will tailored sourcing affect the production and profits?
b) Is tailored sourcing more profitable for Snoblo? Why?
Write a memo to the upper manager and summarize your findings.