Martin-Pullin Bicycle Corp. (MPBC), located in Dallas, is a wholesale distributor of bicycles and bicycle parts. Formed in 1981 by cousins Ray Martin and Jim Pullin, the firm’s primary retail outlets are located within a 400-mile radius of the distribution center. These retail outlets receive the order from Martin-Pullin within two days after notifying the distribution center, provided that the stock is available. However, if an order is not fulfilled by the company, no backorder is placed; the retailers arrange to get their shipment from other distributors, and MPBC loses that amount of business.

The company distributes a wide variety of bicycles. The most popular model, and the major source of revenue to the company, is the AirWing. MPBC receives all the models from a single manufacturer overseas, and shipment takes as long as four weeks from the time an order is placed. With the cost of communication, paperwork, and customs clearance included, MPBC estimates that each time an order is placed, it incurs a cost of $85. The purchase price paid by MPBC, per bicycle, is roughly 65% of the suggested retail price for all the styles available, and the inventory carrying cost is 2% per month (24% per year) of the purchase price paid by MPBC. The retail price (paid by the customers) for the AirWing is $250 per bicycle.

MPBC is interested in making an inventory plan for 2014. The firm wants to maintain a 95% service level with its customers to minimize the losses on the lost orders. The data collected for the past two years are summarized in the table below. A forecast for AirWing model sales in the upcoming year, 2014 has been developed and will be used to make an inventory plan for MPBC.

Discussion Questions

Develop an inventory plan to help MPBC.

Discuss ROPs and total costs.

How do you handle the fact that the Reorder Point is larger than the EOQ?

How can you address demand that is not at the level of the planning horizon?

                        Demand for AirWing Model

Month             2012         2013         Forecast for2014

January              6               7                           9

February          12             14                         16

March              24             27                         31

April                46             53                         59

May                 75             86                         96

June                 47             54                         61

July                  30             34                         39

August            18             21                         24

September       13             15                         17

October           12             13                         15

November       22             25                         29

December        38             42                         46

Total                343            391                        443

Compose a response to the case study discussion questions.

Prepare a brief report as instructed in the case study.