Manufacturers Inc. (MI) currently has a labor force of 10, which can produce 600 units per period. The labor cost is now $5000 per period per employee. The company has a long-standing rule that does not allow it to make use of any overtime. In addition, the product cannot be subcontracted, due to the specialized nature of the machinery that MI uses to produce it. As a result, MI can only increase/decrease production by hiring or laying off employees. The cost is $10000 to hire or lay off an employee. Inventory carrying costs are $200 per unit for any unsold items at the end of the period. The inventory level at the beginning of period 1 is 400 units. The forecast demand is 700 in period 1,600 in period 2,450 in period 3, 250 in period 4,500 in period 5, and 550 in period 6.

a.) Compute the costs of the Chase Demand Strategy.

b.) Compute the costs of the Level Strategy

c.) Compare the costs of the two strategies. Which one is superior?