n a large maintenance department, fitters draw parts from the store which is at present staffed by one store man. The maintenance foreman is concerned about the time spent by fitters getting parts and has recommended the employments of a stores laborer to assist the store man. On investigation, it was found that:

A simple queue exists

Fitters cost Sh. 250per hour

The store man costs Sh. 200 per hour and can deal on average with 10 fitters [per hour.

A laborer could be employed at 175 per hour and the capacity of the stores would be 12 per hour in terms of service.

On average 8 fitters visit the store each hour.

Required:

What percentage of the time is the store man idle before a laborer is employed?

How much time does a fitter spend in the store after the laborer is employed? (3 Marks)

Determine whether it is worthwhile employing the laborer (7 Marks)