Title: Solving a Transportation Problem using the North West Method and the Stepping Stone Method Background: Your company's supply chain involves sourcing raw materials from diverse locations across the country and distributing finished products to retailers nationwide. Your company is grappling with logistical inefficiencies that are straining operational costs and delivery timelines. Your company currently faces significant transportation challenges that hinder its logistic efficiency. Your task is to address these challenges using the North West Method and the Stepping Stone Method. Tasks: i. Initial Analysis: Briefly describe the transportation problem in the context of your company Explain the North West Method and provide a step-by-step demonstration of how it can be applied to solve your company's transportation problem. ii. Applying the Stepping Stone Method: Define the Stepping Stone Method and outline how it differs from the North West Method. Apply the Stepping Stone method to optimise your company's transportation issue iii. Comparison and Analysis: Compare the results obtained from the North West Method and the Stepping Stone Method in terms of optimised transportation routes and costs. Discuss the advantages and limitations of each method based on its application to your company Manufacturing's scenario. iv. Conclusion: Summarise your findings and insights from the application of the North West Method and the Stepping Stone Method to your company's transportation problem. Note: Please ensure that your responses are supported by calculations and appropriate explanations. References: Refer to academic sources, textbooks, and scholarly articles to support your answers and analysis. [Total: 20 marks]