Mama's Stuffin' is a popular food item during the fall and winter months, but it is marginal in the spring and summer. Use the following demand forecasts and costs to determine which of the following production planning strategies is best for Mama's Stuffin':

a. Level production over the 12 months.

b. Produce to meet demand each month. Absorb variations in demand by changing the size of the workforce.

c. Keep the workforce at its current level. Supplement with overtime and subcontracting as necessary.

Month	Demand Forecast
March	2000
April	1000
May	1000
June	1000
July	1000
August	1500
September	2500
October	3000
November	9000
December	7000
January	4000
February	3000

Overtime capacity per month	Regular production
Subcontracting capacity per month	Unlimited
Regular production cost	$30 per pallet
Overtime production cost	$40 per pallet
Subcontracting cost	$50 per pallet
Holding cost	$2 per pallet
Beginning workforce	10 workers
Production rate	200 pallets per worker per month
Hiring cost	$5000 per worker
Firing cost	$8000 per worker

Problem 14-10.

Design a production plan for Mama's Stuffin' in Problem 14.4 using linear programming and Excel Solver.