Question: Q 1 - Network Optimization Problem: Canada 1 Steel Production's Expansion Strategy ( 1 4 pointstotal ) Canada 1 Steel Production, a leading manufacturer of

Q1- Network Optimization Problem: Canada1 Steel Production's Expansion Strategy (14 pointstotal)Canada1 Steel Production, a leading manufacturer of steel products in Canada, operates twoproduction plants--one in Toronto and the other in Vancouver. Each plant has an annualproduction capacity of 300,000 metric tons. These two plants serve the entire market, which isdivided into four regional demand centers:Eastern Canada, with a demand of 100,000 metric tons,Western Canada, with a demand of 150,000 metric tons, Northern Canada, with a demand of 50,000 metric tons.USA, with a demand of 150,000 metric tons,Two additional locations, Montreal and Calgary, are being considered for potential plantexpansions. The variable production and transportation costs (in thousands of Canadiandollars per metric ton) from each potential site to each market are provided in Table Xproduction and NorthTransportation($100 per tonneof steel)MontrealCalgaryTorontoVancouver20151817Capacity Expansion Options:East14181520Decision Questions:West19172015USA1520Canada1 Steel anticipates a compounded annual demand growth of 20% for the next five yearsand must strategically plan its production network investments. After five years, demand isexpected to stabilize.1917Adding 150,000 metric tons of capacity requires a one-time investment of $2 billionCAD.Adding 300,000 metric tons of capacity requires a one-time investment of $3.4 billionCAD.The company must meet all demand, assuming that steel prices remain profitable. Capacitydecisions must be made at the beginning of each year. Additionally, assume that the coststructure for year 5 will persist for the following 10 years (i.e., years 6-15).A discount factor applies to future costs, meaning that a dollar spent next year is worth lessthan a dollar today. Assume an initial discount factor of 0.2, meaning that $1 spent next year isworth 0.8 today.1. How should Canada1 Steel's production network evolve over the next five years? Submityour answer in an Excel file. (-5 points)2. How does your answer change if the anticipated annual growth is 15?(2 points)3. How does your decision change if the discount factor is 0.25?(2 points)4. Due to the trade war, the U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian steel. As a result offierce competition, the demand for Canadian steel has decreased by 50%. How can weredesign the network model to answer Question 1, part 1?(2 points)5. What strategies can be implemented to make the supply chain more resilient? What isyour managerial recommendation if the new supply chain network (answer of the firstquestion) has already developed? (2 points)6. Review the attached business report. How do you evaluate the supply chain outlook ofmetal industry in Canada? (1 point)
Q 1 - Network Optimization Problem: Canada 1

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