Design a production plan for Rowley Apparel in Problem 14.4 using linear programming and Excel Solver.

14.4: Rowley Apparel, manufacturer of the famous Race-A-Rama swimwear line, needs help planning production for next year. Demand for swimwear follows a seasonal pattern, as shown here. Given the following costs and demand forecasts, test these four strategies for meeting demand:

(a) Level production with overtime and subcontracting, as needed,

(b) level production with backorders as needed,

(c) chase demand, and

(d) 3000 units regular production from April through September and as much regular, overtime, and subcontracting production in the other months as needed to meet annual demand. Determine the cost of each strategy. Which strategy would you recommend?

Demand Forecast Month January 1000 February 500 March 500 April 2000 May 3000 June 4000 July 5000 August 3000 1000 September October 500 November 500 December 3000 Beginning workforce Subcontracting capacity Overtime capacity Production rate per worker Regular wage rate Overtime wage rate Subcontracting cost Hiring cost Firing cost Holding cost Backordering cost 8 workers unlimited 2000 units/month 250 units/month $15 per unit $25 per unit $30 per unit $100 per worker $200 per worker $0.50 per unit/month $10 per unit/month