QUESTION $1[20$ MARKS$]$

WindGen $($WG$)$ is a manufacturer of equipment for the renewable energy sector and is situated near

Johannesburg, Gauteng $($see map below$).$ The company has a strong domestic market for their

fibreglass composite wind turbine blades and has some excess plant capacity thanks to a recent

expansion and is investigating the opportunity to enter the export market. Demand for turbine blades is

especially strong in India and the United States, where there is a strong commitment to renewable

energy but a shortage of critical parts to meet the growing need for power$-$generating capacity.

During its annual executive retreat, exporting is a major topic of discussion. After a presentation by the

business development team and a similar evaluation by an industry analyst, WG$$s CEO sees the light.

He quickly became a strong proponent of selling wind turbine blades to power companies near

Bangalore, India and Lansing, United States. $$Now all we have to do is figure out how to get the blades

there quickly and without damage,$$ says the CEO. $$Chris$,$ get your team on this one. I want some solid

answers.$$

Chris Knight, WG$$s transportation director, knows this is a big opportunity for the company but it comes

with tremendous challenges. Picking the right mode, finding ports that can handle the blades safely,

and routing the freight are just a few of the issues that keep Knight awake the night after the CEO

tagged him to lead the $$Global Export$$ project.

At his next staff meeting, Knight reminds his team: $$These blades are $45$ meters long and weigh $12$

tons. We must first get them from the plant to the point of export. That$$s not easy, since we need to plan

routes to avoid urban rush hours, sharp curves, narrow lanes, and weight$-$limited bridges.$$

$$On top of those usual challenges, we have to find a high$-$quality international carrier to get the blades

to India and the United States,$$ Knight adds. $$And don$$t forget the port challenges and final delivery to

Bangalore and Lansing.$$ Turning to you, Knight says: $$Get me some answers fast! We need a plan of

action for the CEO by Friday.$$

$1\mathrm{.}1.$ What are the major problems and pitfalls that WG faces as it tries to go global with its product

line? $(4)$

$1\mathrm{.}2.$ What mode$($s$)$ of transportation would you recommend to Knight as most appropriate for moving

the turbine blades domestically and internationally? $(5)$

$1\mathrm{.}3.$ How would you route shipments of turbine blades from Johannesburg to Bangalore and

Johannesburg to Lansing, Michigan? Explain why? $(8)$

$1\mathrm{.}4.$ What role will ports play in the flow of turbine blades from South Africa to India and the USA? $(3$