Chpt. 2 Case Study.  Indiana University, South Bend BUS MISC

1. Consider the two categories of products that Timbuk2 makes and sells. For the custom messenger
bag, what key competitive dimensions are driving sales? Are the company's competitive priorities
different for the new laptop bags sourced in China?
Ans:
The competitive dimensions include custom designing by the customer, high quality materials, and
the speed of delivery keeps customers loyal to the brand. Their priorities have not changed, they still
offer the custom designing, high quality materials and speed of delivery. However, the machines
needed to accomplish this new line were to expensive for the company to incur in the United States.
2. Compare the assembly line in China to that in San Francisco along the following dimensions: (1)
volume or rate of production, (2) required skill of the workers, (3) level of automation, and (4) amount
of raw materials and finished goods inventory.