Reference no: EM132278978

Another profitable facet of CKG Auto’s business is supplying parts for auto repairs. The most critical component of the parts supply business is having enough of the right parts on hand so that repair shops can receive same-day delivery. The key to profits is minimizing the number of parts that need to be warehoused while also ensuring that sufficient parts are on hand to meet orders. Because each warehouse distribution center serves a different set of customers with different needs, each center must be considered separately. Distribution centers have a five-day lead time for ordering parts. The lead time must be taken into consideration when determining target inventory levels. The costs involved in warehousing the parts include the working capital tied up in the inventory (the cost of each part) as well as the space to store the part. These costs can be substantial. On the other hand, alternative “generic” parts are often available from rival suppliers, and keeping the auto repair centers supplied and customers satisfied is critical. One of the most problematic items to supply and store are bearings. This part is both high volume and relatively large, taking up considerable warehousing space. A bearing is also relatively expensive. Analyzing bearing needs is a good place for CKG to start, specifically in one of its largest distribution centers such as Central New Jersey, which serves 10 major customers. You have been asked to analyze the bearing inventory level requirements for this center, including simulating demand based on 30-day historical extremes, calculating a target inventory level based on this simulation, and then comparing simulated values to actual values from the past five days from the targeted warehouse.