Carlos Gonzales is production manager at an assembly plant that manufactures cordless telephones. The company is planning to install a pull system. The process is being planned to have a usage rate of 45 pieces per hour. Each container is designed to hold 8 pieces. It takes an average of 45 minutes to complete a cycle.

a) How many containers will be needed?

b) How will the number of needed containers change as the system improves?