Today in Canada, inflation, cost of materials and unemployment are relatively stable and not increasing. Emerging economies are growing more rapidly than the Canadian economy in general. Foreign trade is relatively open, so manufacturers face intense international and local competition, with pressure to keep prices low and opportunities to utilize low-cost labour and raw materials from around the world. New manufacturing technologies, innovative materials, and e-commerce are becoming more prevalent and affordable. The political-legal climate is favourable to business in Canada and most developing nations, whereas regulation is higher in the European Union. The standard of living is stable, the population is ageing, and ethnic diversity is increasing. Today in the Custom-Built Truck Body manufacturing industry, manufacturers must invest heavily in Research and Development (R&D) to compete effectively on a global scale. Domestically, the Custom-Built Truck Body manufacturing industry is fragmented, with the largest firm, Truck Pro, controlling 65% of sales. The industry's customers are primarily local, independent Truck Body retailers and large Industrial End Users such as CP Rail and CN Rail, making for a very fragmented group and cyclical sale cycles. The internet and online sales, in particular, provide alternate channels for new and customized truck bodies. The customers, the ultimate purchasers, are interested in full aluminum or light weight construction, but still maintain heavy towing capacity, reinforced tops, deep compartments, engineered crane tower and frame, non-slip floors, adjustable compartments, and fully integrated hydraulic and electrical systems. Suppliers of GCTB truck body components are small local manufacturers located close to Guelph. However, few suppliers are more powerful, such as Humano, an internationally (based in the USA) known maker of sheet and structural shape aluminum raw material. Regulators re a significant force in the industry, but GCTB and others have numerous joint ventures. In one example, GCTB teamed with CSD and Forest Body to produce a design for the high-performance truck body used in the forestry industry in western Canada. GCTB has very experienced shop personnel; however, their Research & Development (Engineering) capability is still to be developed. Their purchasing is not effectively utilizing low-cost manufacturers in producing the more affordable products in its broad line of custom truck bodies, and at times, its manufacturing facility becomes congested for the amount of output required at peak manufacturing months. However, its Guelph factory has its high-end lines and can customize a truck body to a customer's exact specifications. GCTB is beginning to push to improve the customer truck body experience and communication. The company will limit the number of retailers it uses and requires retailers to stock a higher percentage of GCTB's products. In return, it will provide training and funds to improve in-store marketing and increase customer loyalty. Objective Using the methodologies and tools we discussed in Strategy Planning and Deployment, you will build your own Strategies for a fictional company - Guelph Custom Truck Body (GCTB). Scenario First, read the short narrative of the Guelph Custom Truck Body Corporation above. Deliverables 1) Complete a SWOT analysis using the four Quadrants layout. a. Minimum of 2 points per Quadrant 2) Develop major strategies using the match between strengths and threats. a. Minimum of 3 strategies 3) Develop major strategies using the match between opportunities and weaknesses. a. Minimum of 3 strategies Note: This is a group assignment as per assigned groups. Be sure to reference any material taken from lecture slides, course material, textbooks and any other sources to support this assignment. Mechanics Bodies Lube Bodies Rail Bodies Service Bodies Flat Decks Utility Bodies Emergency Vehicles