Home-Style Cookies Case

Home-Style Cookies Case

1. Briefly describe the cookie production process.

The company uses batch processing system, wherein the process begins when the management gets orders from its distributors. Production schedules are then made which are based on the orders received. In the beginning of every shift, a list of the cookies to be made that day is delivered to the person in charge of mixing. The ingredients needed are activated through a master list containing all the ingredients to ensure accuracy. The ingredients are then transferred to the mixers then to a cutting machine. After that, the cookies are heated to an oven and moved to a cooling rack. When the cookies are all cooked, they are manually packed. Lastly, the packaged cookies are labelled and sealed.

2. What are two ways that the company has increased productivity? Why did increasing the length of the ovens result in faster output rate?

First, the company has increased productivity by cutting the non-filled cookies diagonally, so more cookies can be baked any time. Second, automating the ingredients lead to reduction in the waste of ingredients and helps on the cut back with human error when mixing the ingredients. Increasing the length of the ovens result in faster output rate since it enables more cookies to be baked at once. The bigger the oven, the more cookies we can bake in it which means the faster the output rate.

3. Do you think the company is making the right decision by not automating the packing of cookies? Explain your reasoning. What obligation does a company have to its employees in a situation such as this? What obligation does it have to the community? Is the size of the town a factor? Would it make a difference if the company was located in a large city? Is the size of the company a factor? What if it was a much larger company?

I think that the company is making the right decision by not automating the packing of the cookies. It should resemble the human factor in...