Orion Fitness produces bracelets with an embedded chip that tracks its wearer’s activities. Orion has plants in Denver and Jacksonville.

Bracelets produced at either plant may be shipped to either of the firm’s two regional warehouses, which are located in Davenport and Cincinnati. These regional warehouses subsequently supply retail outlets in Chicago, Orlando, Houston, and Little Rock. The file orion contains data on each plant’s supply (number of bracelets), each retail outlet’s demand (number of bracelets), and the shipping costs ($ per bracelet) for the shipping channels.

a. Construct and solve a linear optimization model that defines the supply chain strategy that meets the demand of each retail outlet at minimum total shipping cost.

b. In a separate worksheet, reformulate the problem to determine if there is an alternative optimal solution. Clearly explain your result.

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Shipping Costs ($ per bracelet) Warehouse Plant Denver Davenport 2.00 Jacksonville 3.00 Supply (number of bracelets) Cincinnati 3.00 1.00 700 400 Shipping Costs ($ per bracelet) Retail Outlet Warehouse Chicago Orlando Houston Little Rock Davenport 3.00 7.00 4.00 7.00 Cincinnati 5.00 5.00 7.00 6.00 Demand (number 200 150 350 300 of bracelets)