SECTION A (10 marks) There are TWO (2) questions in this section. Answer ALL questions in the Answer Booklet. Short case: A focus on jeans Jeans are one of the most worn types of clothing around the world. Not surprisingly, the thread which holds them together must be strong and of high quality. Coats Thread is a major manufacturer of jeans thread, supplying product to companies such as Levi-Strauss and Vanity Fair (who manufacture Lee and Wrangler brands). The manufacturer of jeans thread involves spinning the polycotton core spun thread, formulating and mixing the dyes, dyeing the thread in batches, lubricating, and winding the thread onto smaller reels and shipping these to many jeans factories around Europe. Up until recently Coats sold product on a country-by-country basis, with up to five of its plants each producing jeans thread for customers all over Europe. Now all of Coats' jeans thread for its European markets is distributed through a single plant in Scotland. All orders and deliveries are also dealt with by a single integrated supply chain planning and control system. This has led to significant advantages for both Coats and their customers. The Scottish plant could focus on the manufacturing and marketing skills necessary to sell into this market and their customers had a single point of contact when they wanted to discuss supply issues. Source: https://www.coursehero.com/file/69449110/Chapter-2-case-studypdf/ 1. Explain TWO (2) main competitive issues in selling thread to jean manufacturers. Your answer must be supported by evidence. (5 marks) 2. Explain TWO (2) main issues for Coats' operations management