DEF, Inc. is in the ramp-up phase of a unique medical device. The device has a two-year life expectancy. The sales forecast for the ramp-up period is as follows:
Month Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
Unit Sales 100 150 200 600 1,400 2,200 4,000 10,000
Demand after February is expected to remain at 10,000 units per month for several months, then decrease gradually. The units are small, and thus maintaining an inventory of up to 10,000 units is possible.
There are only three suppliers capable of providing the specialized component critical to this product. The production capacities of these suppliers are as follows:
* Supplier X has a capacity of 500 units per month at a cost of S20 per unit, representing 80% of its total business
* Supplier Y has a capacity of 2,000 units per month at a cost of S2O.5O per unit, representing 50% of its total business
* Supplier Z has a capacity of 20,000 units per month at a cost of $20.70 per unit, representing 10% of its total business
Two of these companies---Supplier X and Supplier Y---are minority businesses.
Given this situation, DEF should contract with
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Correct Answer:
B
Contracting with all three suppliers in a tiered system allows DEF, Inc. to diversify its supply chain, supporting both minority businesses and ensuring capacity to meet demand. This strategy balances cost, supplier diversity, and risk management, aligning with best practices in supply chain management.
