The Globe Can Company presently moves pallet loads of cans from production to the truck dock for loading. The loading dock foreman claims that due to increased production the company needs to purchase five new fork trucks and to hire five persons to operate these trucks.

Using the present equipment (fork trucks) the maximum load of cans that can be transported is 1500 lb. at a 13.5" load center. The fork truck currently in use is manufacturer-rated for 3,000 lb. at the 24" load center.

Question: Can the pallet load capacity be increased? What, if any, new equipment is required? what will you do as management and operation manager