Question: A company that specializes in recycling hazardous medical waste (plastics and sharps) has contacted you to help them determine how best to expand their capacity. There was a miscommunication between two of its contract representatives, and the company accidentally made contractual agreements with too many medical facilities. The results is the immediate need to increase their capacity by 27%. The facility currently operates 5 days a week, and has two 6-hour shifts per day. Each shift can effectively process approximately 900 kg of medical waste.
The regulatory body that oversees the recycling company mandates that they perform mandatory cleaning, preventative maintenance, and recalibration of its equipment after each shift, or no less than twice per day. The tear down, cleaning, and refit require approximately 3 hours to complete.
The VP of Operations wants to add a third shift to handle the additional volume. Is that possible? If so, will it be sufficient to handle the additional volume? If not, suggest an alternative strategy that does not involve large capital expenditures for new equipment.