The strategic importance of locations and the factors that affect the decision of where to locate a facility. One of the primary roles of an operations manager involves being part of the decision process to locate a new facility in order to either expand the current operations or to reduce cost by outsourcing. The elements to be considered are the same in either case. In this activity you will need to consider a new factory location to support a European customer base.

QUESTION

Imagine that you have been assigned by senior management to select a sub-contractor to assemble a high technology product for the European market. Recommend a facility location. What type of manufacturing facility would you suggest? Also, explain the elements you based this decision on.