See attached DocumentCase Study #2
KU Consulting
KU Consulting has been asked to bid on a large consulting job with Albatross Anchor. In
order to win the contract for this consulting job a well written, logical and highly
organized proposal must be written. It is your task/challenge to write the proposal for revamping Albatross Anchors Operations systems so that KU Consulting may win the
$50,000 contract.
Using the mandatory template (found in Doc Sharing) prepare your proposal by
answering (in detail) all of the questions posed below.
Your answers must demonstrate your
understanding of the concepts and principles
identified within the textbook, course information
and activities, but also from independent academic
quality research to solve these challenges.
While it is acceptable to use the textbook as
foundational material you must conduct
independent research, as well, using the Kaplan
virtual library and the Internet to find information
that supports your findings and conclusions. A
minimum of four academic resources, in
addition to the textbook, is required for each
section of the proposal.
Please note: Quotations should make up no
more than 10% of your proposal.
Requirements for successful completion of each section of the proposal include:
➢ Prepared using the mandatory template for each section of the proposal (the
templates for each section can be found in Doc Sharing of this virtual classroom).
Failure to use the mandatory template will result in an automatic reduction of one
grade level.
➢ Proposal Cover Page
➢ APA style reference page.
➢ The body of the paper must be four full pages long (this does not include the cover
or reference pages).
➢ Body of the paper must be double-spaced (this includes spacing between
paragraphs and before/after headings).
➢ One inch margins on all four sides of the page.
➢ Times New Roman 12-font only.
➢ Indent the first sentence of each new paragraph ½ inch (this is already set in MS
Word as the first “Tab” setting”)
➢ Grammatically and mechanically sound.
➢ Introductory and concluding paragraph(s).
➢ A minimum of four academic quality research sources in addition to the textbook).
➢ Citations, within the body of the paper, identifying source materials and in APA
format are required along with corresponding reference page listings.
The following documents are in doc sharing.
●
MT435 Case Study #2.pdf
●
MT435 Case Study #2 Template.doc
Please note*
1. Do not use Wikipedia, wiki’s, Answers.com, Ask.com, online dictionaries, or online
encyclopedias for this project. As a senior level student you are responsible for
independent research and for veracity of source.
2. A search engine is not a source but a tool used to find a resource. For information
on APA referencing of internet based information use the information on APA
formatting contained within the Kaplan Writing Center for more information or you
may use the Kaplan Guide to Successful Writing that is located in the doc sharing
area of this virtual classroom.
Albatross Anchor Case Study #2 (Note: This is not a real company)
Introduction
Albatross Anchor is a small family owned business that began in 1976 with four family
members. Albatross anchor has grown exponentially and now employs one hundred and
thirty people. This one location/facility is situated on twelve acres located in a rural
suburb of Smalltown, USA (Please note* the building and facilities for Albatross Anchor
are landlocked).
The plant* and the administrative offices are located in the same building.
(*Note: The plant includes: manufacturing, the shipping department, the receiving department, raw
materials storage, finished product storage, and the foundry) .
The administrative offices are in the front of the building and the plant is located directly
behind the administrative offices (see diagram). The administrative offices have issues
because they are somewhat shabby, disorganized, and run inefficiently.
The plant is antiquated, worn, dirty, and technology-deprived and it no longer meets all
US safety and environmental standards.
The owners of this small business have added on various processes as needs arose;
within the limited space of the plant. When Albatross Anchor first opened its doors their
expertise was in the manufacturing of bell/mushroom anchors (using a foundry process).
In 1989, in response to international competition, the owners of Albatross Anchor made
the decision to expand the product line to include fabricated snag hook anchors.
Customers
Albatross Anchor is a manufacturing factory that sells only at the wholesale level.
Albatross Anchors sales their products in two ways:
(01) Distributors that act as the middleman. The distributor accepts bulk delivery
of anchors at their large distribution centers. At the distribution center the bulk
shipment of anchors is broken up into smaller batches and shipped to individual
retail locations.
(02) OEM customers that purchase anchors in large batches to be used as a
component in the manufacture of boats.
Albatross Anchor does not sell retail. They are strictly a wholesale organization.
Products
The bell anchor is manufactured primarily through a foundry process in which ore is
transformed into a liquid state and then poured into molds as part of the production
process. The bell anchor is used primarily by freshwater marine craft.
The snag hook anchor is fabricated through the bending and welding of iron rods and flat
iron into a hook design. The hook design is best when used in saltwater. This hook design
snags bedrock and seaweed which holds the marine craft at anchor. The snag hook
anchor is used primarily for small to medium sized saltwater marine craft.
Each anchor is produced in multiple sizes to accommodate the type of watercraft, the
size of the watercraft and the place where the anchor will be used (saltwater or
freshwater).
Manufacturing
Each anchor type requires its own unique equipment and manufacturing process. Yet,
both manufacturing areas share the same shipping area, receiving area, warehouse area,
and administration offices.
The manufacturing area of the plant has had to change to accommodate the manufacture
of the two separate types of anchors. As each anchor requires its own manufacturing
challenges the manufacturing line must be completely changed over each time the anchor
type is changed. The time to switch over from one manufacturing process/operation to
the other manufacturing process/operation is 36 hours.
The plant space is at a premium and warehousing space for raw materials and finished
product is limited and located at the far south end of the building.
Plant antiquation and safety issues result in small batch production only. As a result of
this limitation, lead time for exceptionally large bulk orders is three to four weeks.
Costs
Current manufacturing costs are $8.00 per pound for mushroom/bell anchors and $11.00
per pound for snag hook anchors. Albatross Anchor charges the same per unit as their
competitors. However, the profit margin can sometimes be as much as 35% less (on
some of the anchors) because of operations inefficiencies.
Shipping challenges
Outgoing freight
Product size, bulk, and weight and maximum load limits require that the anchors be
shipped by large truck, rail, or large ocean-going freighter. Domestic orders are usually
shipped by large truck. International orders are shipped by rail and ultimately by large
ocean-going freighters. These are the only two methods of product shipment.
Incoming freight
Receipt of raw materials is by rail. Prior to the sale of anchors into the international
market all shipments of finished product went out completely by truck and therefore all
shipping activities were limited to the east side of the building.
Now, because of the limitation of shipping product into the international marketplace, all
product shipments for international delivery go out of the receiving dock for the initial leg
of shipment by rail. Prior to expansion into the international marketplace shipping had
been limited to the shipping department and receiving was limited to the receiving area.
However, with this change in international shipping the receiving area must now do
double duty – shipping of international orders as well as receipt of all incoming raw
materials.
Please view the below representation of the current building/facility set up.
Case Study #2
Question One
Refer back to the answers you provided in your Case Study # 1 and re-review
the assignment scenario/case study. Based on the limited information in the
scenario/case study along with your answers to questions one and two, identify at
least three direct and specific long-term and three direct and specific short-term
operations changes that Albatross Anchor must make to gain a clear and
sustainable competitive advantage. Provide supporting information to validate
and substantiate each recommended change (be detailed in your justification for
each).
Question Two
From the list below, select four operational issues and for each issue chosen
explain how it will help Albatross Anchor to improve:
1) Job retention
2) Employee morale
3) Employee dedication
Your explanation for each of the four selected issues must cover all three of the
items listed above.
Listing of Operational issues
(a) Work design
(b) Cross training
(c) Gainsharing and profit sharing
(d) Job design
(e) Task analysis
(f) Worker analysis
(g) Environmental analysis
(h) Ergonomics
h) Ergonomics
(i) Technology and automation
(j) Job analysis
Introduction
Type the introduction to the paper here.
Question One
Carefully review the assignment scenario/case study. From the limited information in the scenario/case
study, identify at least three direct and specific long-term and three direct and specific short term
operations changes that Albatross Anchor must make to gain a clear and sustainable competitive
advantage (provide detailed information to validate and support each recommended change)
Long-Term Operational Changes
(01)
Type the answer here
(02)
Type the answer here.
(03)
Type the answer here.
Short-Term Operational Changes
(01)
Type the answer here
(02)
Type the answer here
(03)
Type the answer here
Question Two
From the list of ten operational issues in this assignment instructions select four operational issues.
For each of the four operational issues explain in detail that operational issue will help Albatross
Anchor improve; 1) job retention, 2) employee morale, and 3) employee dedication.
Operational Issue One:
Type the answer here
Operational Issue Two:
Type the answer here
Operational Issue Three:
Type the answer here
Operational Issue Four:
Type the answer here.
Conclusion
Type the conclusion to the paper here.
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
Why Choose Us
- 100% non-plagiarized Papers
- 24/7 /365 Service Available
- Affordable Prices
- Any Paper, Urgency, and Subject
- Will complete your papers in 6 hours
- On-time Delivery
- Money-back and Privacy guarantees
- Unlimited Amendments upon request
- Satisfaction guarantee
How it Works
- Click on the “Place Order” tab at the top menu or “Order Now” icon at the bottom and a new page will appear with an order form to be filled.
- Fill in your paper’s requirements in the "PAPER DETAILS" section.
- Fill in your paper’s academic level, deadline, and the required number of pages from the drop-down menus.
- Click “CREATE ACCOUNT & SIGN IN” to enter your registration details and get an account with us for record-keeping and then, click on “PROCEED TO CHECKOUT” at the bottom of the page.
- From there, the payment sections will show, follow the guided payment process and your order will be available for our writing team to work on it.