Product A is made from components B and C. Items B, in turn is made from D and E. Items C also is intermediate item, made from F and H. Finally intermediate item E is made from H and G. Note that items H has two parents. The following are item lead times:
a. What lead time in weeks in need to respond to a customer order for product A, assuming no existing inventories or scheduled receipts?
b. What is the customer response time if all purchased items (i.e., D, F, G, and H) are in inventory?
c. If you are allows to keep just one purchased item in stock which one would you choose?