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FBO, Inc. is a fixed-base operator at a large metropolitan airport. The general manager must decide if the current pooling format is the appropriate way to staff the commercial refueling operations. If pooling is deemed inappropriate then the implementation of a different format in the face of a hostile management/union relationship is a concern. A rewritten version of an earlier case.

Used to introduce the assembly line process to first-year MBA students. Three different variations of an assembly line process for packing greeting cards are presented for analysis. To choose among the three, the students must address issues of time standards, capacity, supervision and training. A rewritten version of an earlier case.

Outlines the evolution of Lilly's corporate manufacturing strategy over the past decade. The corporate vice president of manufacturing must decide on the next phase of Lilly's strategy for the early 1990s, as well as to what extent and what role process development will play. Provides data outlining three different points in the product development process at which manufacturing process development might be initiated. Using learning curve concepts and data, students can estimate the economic costs and benefits (as well as organizational issues and challenges) associated with each. Illustrates process improvement's substantial impact in a capital-intensive industry, describes possible roles of manufacturing process technology in an industry that has viewed product R&D as its primary competitive advantage, illustrates phases through which manufacturing can evolve in pursuit of comparative advantage, and introduces students to a challenging and changing industry.

Describes the development of a fully automated production line for manufacturing radio pagers. The company regarded the project as highly successful; it becomes clear in the case, however, that there were some shortcomings as well. Some marketing issues were not properly addressed and, despite the claims of the company that the project was completed in 18 months, development of the line continued after the official end date for over a year. The student must analyze the situation to determine what lessons should be taken from the project and how best to apply those lessons to other projects.

Deals with performance assessment and improvement of a service operation in the insurance industry, a market that is highly sensitive to response time. Two branch offices in direct competition are described, and the impact of response time on performance is suggested. Management choices that impact response time are explored and the poorer performer of the two branches must decide how to respond.

Spreadsheet supplement for case 692-015.

Packard Electric is the division of General Motors (GM) that does all of the electrical wiring and cabling for GM automobiles. They developed a new approach for passing the cables through the firewall between the engine and passenger compartments. The new technology called the RIM (Reaction Injection Molded) grommet, was supported heavily by the product development group because it was simpler to design and improved the leak seat. Process development was against using it because it cost more, complicated the manufacturing process, and provided only minor improvements in leak resistance. The students must analyze the risk in continuing with the project, the potential benefits from product simplification and the potential benefits from improving the leak resistance. The students must also review the product development process to determine conflicts before they reach a crisis.

Describes the engineering effort at Campbell Soup Co. to develop a microwavable package and product for the growing convenience segment. Focuses on the role of engineering services in developing the production process, acquiring and installing equipment, and getting the process up and running. Students must address not only the status of the current project, but also the future steps that must be taken to complete that project successfully. Even more broadly, engineering's role as a reactive service organization vs. increasing demands that will require a proactive strategic advantage-based organization must also be addressed. Written from the perspective of the head of the engineering group at Campbell Soup Co.

Describes the growth of a construction management company and the operating problems it now encounters. Designed to introduce students to the value of competition in the construction industry, to show how the techniques of value analysis can be used to strategic advantage, and to illustrate the strains that growth places on an entrepreneurial and informal operating system. Also raises issues of quality and productivity in a service setting.

Describes the development of a fully automated production line for manufacturing radio pagers. The company regarded the project as highly successful; it becomes clear in the case, however, that there were some shortcomings as well. Some marketing issues were not properly addressed and, despite the claims of the company that the project was completed in 18 months, development of the line continued after the official end date for over a year. The student must analyze the situation to determine what lessons should be taken from the project and how best to apply those lessons to other projects.

New product development is essential to revitalize companies. The process cannot succeed unless everyone contributes--general managers, marketers, engineers, designers, and manufacturing executives. A novel approach to facilitate this cooperation is the "new product development map," which gives managers a better sense of where to go by sharpening the picture of where they've been. A fictitious product line, Coolidge Corporation's vacuum cleaners, is used to show how to construct a map and develop discussion around it.

Describes three different product development efforts at the Residential Controls division of Honeywell, Inc. Each of the three projects was for a different market and competitive environment. Each was tackled in a somewhat different way within the Honeywell Engineering organization, and the results from each were quite different. Also describes the new product development procedures that have been used historically at the Residential Division, and some of the current thinking regarding future changes in these procedures. Provides an opportunity to contrast the factors that impact success of product development across three quite different projects and to see how the organization's approaches to product development impact the success in those varying environments. Also provides an opportunity for students to examine the engineering function and some of the key issues in managing that functional group. Finally, the path for changing the approaches to product development can be addressed, contrasting an incremental evolutionary approach to such procedures versus a complete replacement of those procedures by a new set.

The different roles that manufacturing can play in a company's efforts to formulate and achieve its strategic objectives can be described in terms of a developmental continuum. At the lowest "internally neutral" stage, top managers regard production as a low-tech operation, incapable of influencing competitive success. Stage 2 companies seek an "externally neutral" parity with major competitors on the manufacturing dimension. This attitude is often found in America's smokestack industries. Stage 3 organizations, on the other hand, expect production to support and strengthen the company's competitive position, and manufacturing investments are screened for consistency with the business strategy. The fourth and most progressive stage arises when competitive strategy rests to a significant degree on a company's production capability.

The process-product matrix can be used to explain company failures due to lack of coordination and focus on marketing and manufacturing functions. More importantly, however, it provides a framework for describing alternate business strategies. The matrix provides insight for planning product and process changes, coordinating marketing and manufacturing goals and functions, and avoiding internal problems brought about by evolving markets and technologies.

Focusing on the manufacturing process gives a new dimension to strategy. The "process life cycle," related but distinct from the product life cycle, facilitates the understanding of strategic options available. Most companies occupy a particular region on a natural, diagonal matrix of the stages of the product life cycle and the choices of production process for that product. A company may seek competitive advantage off the diagonal, but should understand the implications of each move.

SMIG, a division of G.D. Searle, was a fast growing high market-share company in the field of nuclear medical instruments. It manufactured two basically different product lines, one very successful and the other less so. Although marketing was separate for these product lines, manufacturing was not. As capacity is reached, the issue is how the company ought to expand and/or alter its manufacturing operations.

Presents the issues facing a high volume, high margin (but lightweight) medical products business. The company is trying to improve its inventory control to reduce inventory investment and improve service. The present multi-site inventory system is described and major alternatives for improving or replacing it are presented.

Outlines the components of Texas Instruments' low-cost digital watch. Focus is on getting the assembly line running smoothly and efficiently in order to meet production cost and delivery requirements.

Describes production task of meeting peak seasonal demands in a light manufacturing plant. Information is provided for evaluating the options of overtime, second shift, second production line, and inventory buildup.