The skate production process consists of two successive stages. In the first stage, the base of the skate is made, and in the second the wheels are placed. The first stage worker takes 45 minutes to complete a base. The worker in the second stage needs 15 minutes to install the wheels and other parts. Workers in both stages are working at their maximum capacity. Assume that there is no constraint on the supply of raw materials.

Justify your answers, assuming that there is one worker at each stage.

a) Every how many minutes will a new skate come out of the second stage?

b) how much time is required to produce a skate?

c) What is the utilization rate of the second stage?

d) If the firm decides to hire one more worker, decide at which stage of production he will be placed, and how much the firm's productivity will change.

e) A completed skate needs to be packed (5 minutes per skate), and then transported to the storage area. The warehouse holds up to 600 packed skates. With the company's only van (with a capacity of 75 skates), the products are transported to the various traders. The van can run up to 4 routes per day, since there is only one driver. What would you recommend the company and why

Hire another driver

To buy a second van

To expand the warehouse