Supplier Development ,Customer Development and Customer/Supplier Co- Development have all been identified during the module as making an important contribution to the success of Manufacturing Companies.
With the knowledge you have gained from the module and making full use of the library research facilities and academic journals, research the subject of supplier, customer or co-Development
(i) in general
(ii) in your company (or industry)
Produce a report of maximum 2000 words which gives a complete overview of the subject area with case study examples wherever possible, applicable to your company or industry

Question One

Hotbed Limited is trying to decide whether to sell up and build a new factory at a new site or rebuild its current facility. It has evaluated some of the costs and probabilities of its options, as well as some of the ‘what-if’ scenarios. It now wants to prepare a decision tree to assist with its decision making.

Prepare a decision tree to clarify the issues and present a recommendation.

Question Two

You are redesigning the company structure of an old established construction company to meet a growing need for project-based business. The business has to manage projects via project managers and teams allocated to each project. The business also has architects and structural engineers; purchasing staff for buying materials; pools of labour with specific skills such as brick laying, plumbing, etc.; and business development, sales/marketing, and finance departments. The company also has access to a large supply of subcontractors such as painters and electrical technicians.

Propose an efficient company structure that will be responsive to new growing demand for projects and discuss why you have chosen this structure.