A four-step process is used to make a product. The first resource takes 8 minutes per unit, the second takes 7 minutes per unit, the third takes 2 minutes per unit, and the fourth takes 10 minutes per unit. 20% of all units have to be reworked. For that, they have to revisit the third and fourth resources. Each resource is staffed by one worker. Rework takes the same processing times as the first pass and always fixes the problem.

Where is the bottleneck?

A. Resource 3

B. Resource 4

C. Resource 1

D. Resource 2

You receive a memo from the vice president of procurement responding to your query. he writes: “it will be very important to maintain product continuity. we have a large base of devoted customers. we want to make sure that the quality and key characteristics of island knight stay the same through this transition. talk to frank, our consulting professional perfumer, for more information about the cologne. seasonal variations in costs are the single most significant factor in our deciding to go with another supplier, so finding a way to limit that should be the top priority. the overall marginal costs and shipping costs are probably somewhat less significant. you may want to talk to cindy, the product manager for island knight, regarding pricing information about the product.” what is the best action to take next?