a) Company X wants to set-up a new manufacturing facility in Ireland to service customers. Based on the source and market information provided above, calculate the least-cost center/location on the grid. Which source center would you recommend?

b) It is anticipated that in 2020 the Waterford market will grow by 250 tons and that this will be served from Dublin, will this affect the position of the least cost center/location on the grid?

c) In your opinion what are some strengths and weaknesses to this technique.

Sources	Rate/ton-km	Tons	Horizontal	Vertical
Limerick (S1)	0.85	650	800	1120
Dublin (S2)	0.9	350	850	1110
Cork (S3)	0.7	400	650	850

Market	Rate/ton-km	Tons	Horizontal	Vertical
Waterford (m1)	3.5	152	600	500
Kilkenny (m2)	3.5	253	1050	1200
Nenagh (m3)	3.5	450	800	300
Belfast (m4)	3.5	250	925	975
Galway (m5)	3.5	400	1000	1080