Mack Trucks Roll Off the Roanoke Lines

Mack Trucks Roll Off the Roanoke Lines

October 22, 2020
Anita Lee-Post, Ph.D.

Mack Trucks has started production on medium-duty trucks in its brand-new Roanoke Valley Operations (RVO) facility in Virginia.

Mack invested $13 million in equipment and tooling in the RVO facility to produce only medium-duty models after its exit from that market segment 18 years ago.  The facility also employs production methods and standards that comply with Center for Disease Control’s COVID-19 guidelines.

Video Spotlight: 

This post is based on the CCJ Digital article, Mack begins production of its new medium duty entry, by Jason Cannon, September 22, 2020, and the YouTube video in the Spotlight. Image source: Narongrit Sritana/Getty Images

Discussion Questions:

1. What role does forecasting play in Mack’s medium-duty truck operations?

Guidance: Forecasting has helped Mack to anticipate a 40% reduction in the new truck market and a production delay due to COVID-19.  As a result, Mack is able to proactively plan its truck production to meet customers’ demand in the medium-duty market segment.

2. What are the reasons for Mack’s decision to invest in its Roanoke Valley Operations facility?

Guidance: Mack needs a new facility Continue reading →

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Disney’s Changes For Capacity Management and Safety

Disney’s Changes For Capacity Management and Safety

September 21, 2020
Lisa M. Spencer

Walt Disney World plans to keep some of its COVID-19 health and protocol changes even after things return to pre-pandemic levels of magic.

Even before the pandemic began, Disney was creating new ways to address problems like capacity management and guest experience. Some of these were implemented in recent months. These new approaches are here to stay, including a park reservation system, mobile ordering at park restaurants, queue reservation systems, and even paying for merchandise without cash or credit card.

Meanwhile, occupancy rates at Disney resort hotels remain at all-time lows.  With theme park attendance drastically reduced, some Disney hotels are set to remain closed indefinitely.

Video Spotlight: 

This post is based on the CinemaBlend article, Disney Parks Chairman Thinks Some of Walt Disney World’s Pandemic Changes Are Here to Stay, by Dirk Libbey, August 27, 2020; the Fox Business article, This Disney World hotel won’t reopen this year as others stay closed indefinitely, by Jeanette Settembre, August 31, 2020; and the YouTube videos Continue reading →

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Aluminum Can Shortage

Aluminum Can Shortage

August 24, 2020
Lisa M. Spencer

Is trouble brewing for users of aluminum cans?  Some beer and soda manufacturers fear that the existing shortage of cans will grow worse in upcoming months.

Some consumers already report difficulty finding specialty flavors of canned beverages like Cherry Coke Zero or niche brews, as producers focus on making the most popular flavors and brands instead.

Additional can manufacturing capacity is in the works, but it will be up to a year before the new facilities are ready.

Video Spotlight: Low Coca-Cola supply blamed on aluminum can shortage  (July 23, 2020, 11Alive)

This post is based on the Syracuse article, The national beer and soda can shortage: How is it affecting supplies in Central New York?, by Don Cazentre, July 29, 2020; the CNN article, Why America is running out of aluminum cans, by Alicia Wallace, July 22, 2020; and the YouTube video in the Spotlight. Image source: belchonock/123RF

Discussion Questions:

1.   What issues are causing demand for aluminum cans to spike, and what types of time-series forecasting variations are these?

Guidance: One of the obvious issues is the COVID-19 pandemic.  As more Americans consume their beer and soda at home, Continue reading →

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