This case focuses on product design as a source of competitive advantage. In the late 1990s, Carrier France faced extremely high labor and overhead costs relative to smaller Italian competitors in one segment. The only way Carrier could compete was by designing a product with low labor costs. While one design alternative would lower assembly costs and space requirements, market acceptance was unpredictable. Relative to another more conservative design alternative, a delayed launch was likely. The case contains rich qualitative and quantitative information on the costs and benefits of the two Aquasnap design concepts in consideration, and focuses on which alternative to introduce.

This case deals with Carrier Corporation's management's efforts to create a strategic supply partnership with one of its major suppliers. Some issues covered include purchasing, supply chain management, alliances and partnerships, and productivity improvement. This case has been used in an MBA course on supply chain management and in executive education general management courses.

Carrier, a division of mulitbusiness United Technologies Corporation (UTC), is looking for ways to grow its business. Carrier is considering expansion into commercial refrigeration and is examining a proposed purchase of Tyler Corporation--a major player in the display-case market. The case provides detail on various segments of the heating and cooling markets and thus allows analysis of the attractiveness of these segments to Carrier. The case also provides detailed forecasts for students to use in valuing the target, Tyler. The mechanics of a basic valuation are straightforward. There are, however, several opportunities for a more refined analysis.

Piaggio, manufacturer of the Vespa motor scooter, faces the decision of whether to outsource production of a new engine. The decision in the A case is couched in uncertainty over the achievable sales volume for the engine, particularly as new and less expensive competitor products are gaining popularity. The case provides an overview of the competitive style of each of the major manufacturers and allows a discussion of core capabilities of these competitors. The B case describes what happens in the market and to Piaggio after the company has built the engine.

Piaggio, manufacturer of the Vespa motor scooter, must decide whether to outsource production of a new engine. The decision is surrounded by uncertainty about the achievable sales volume for the engine, particularly as competitors' new and less expensive products are gaining popularity. The A case (UV1607) provides an overview of the competitive style of each of the major manufacturers and affords a discussion of their core capabilities. The B case describes what happens in the market and to Piaggio after the company has built the engine.