Martin-Pullin Bicycle Corp. (MPBC), located in Dallas, is a wholesale distributor of bicycles and bicycle parts. Formed in 1981 by cousins Ray Martin and Jim Pullin, the firm's primary retail outlets are located within a 400-mile radius of the distribution center. These retail outlets receive the order from Martin-Pullin within two days after notifying the distribution center, provided that the stock is available. However, if an order is not fulfilled by the company, no backorder is placed; the retailers arrange to get their shipment from other distributors, and MPBC loses that amount of business. The company distributes a wide variety of bicycles. The most popular model, and the major source of revenue to the company, is the AirWing. MPBC receives all the models from a single manufacturer overseas, and shipment takes as long as four weeks from the time an order is placed. With the cost of communication, paperwork, and customs clearance included, MPBC estimates that each time an order is placed, it incurs a cost of $85. The purchase price paid by MPBC, per bicycle, is roughly 60% of the suggested retail price for all the styles available, and the inventory carrying cost is 2% per month (24% per year) of the purchase price paid by MPBC. The retail price (paid by the customers) for the AirWing is $210 per bicycle. MPBC is interested in making an inventory plan for 2015. The firm wants to maintain a 95% service level with its customers to minimize the losses on the lost orders. The data collected for the past two years are summarized in the table below. A forecast for AirWing model sales in the upcoming year, 2014 has been developed and will be used to make an inventory plan for MPBC. Discussion Question 1. Develop an inventory plan to help MPBC. 2. Discuss ROPs and total costs. 3. How do you handle the fact that the Reorder Point is larger than the EOQ? 4. How can you address demand that is not at the level of the planning horizon? Develop your answers in the form of a "proposal" to the company, in that they are soliciting such from various consulting firms (such as yours). There is a necessity, thus, to explain how you arrived at any recommendations you are making in your proposal Demand for AirWing Model Month 2012 2013 Forecast 2014 January 6 7 8 February 12 14 15 March 24 27 31 April 46 53 59 May 75 86 97 June 47 54 60 July 30 34 39 August 18 21 24 September 13 15 16 October 12 13 15 November 22 25 28 December 38 42 47 Total 343 391 439