Shell Case Fabricators
Shell Case Fabricators
BACKCROUND
Shell Case Fabricators (SCF) designs and builds shell casings that enclose electronic products such
sailculators, cellphones, modems. Typically the cases are plastic or plastic compounds. SCF has
St different production lines that cover different types of product. For example, the largest high
Volume production line for modems can produce three different colors and two models (vertical
and flat). Air Connection Links (ACL) is the biggest customer that buys product from this line.
s high output line now runs at full capacity on an eight-hour shift. The other five lines run
taller quantities and tend to meet the needs of other specialty products
dilerent smaller firms. manufactured by
Ninety-five percent of SCF's product casings line is designed by the original
acturer. Getting a casing to the production stage requires a great deal of hardware
action between the original hardware and case design collaboration and
manufacturer (e.g.. ACL) and SCES
Aesign engineers and production department. The latest new product of ACL is a modem
ghed to be used for monitoring water activity in bays, e.g., ship
trattic, pollution, floating
662 Project Management
functionality and low cost, potential demand for the
high small bays
used for
shipping wants new
of the
product's
everycountry with
debris Becauseof sight. It seems respcctive bays.
enough
product is out their
modems to cover
underwater
MODEM PROJECT
UNDERINATER coordinate and manage the shell
THE is assigned a
At SCFcach new
product
project managerto and
SCFs star project manager 1 is the
Songsee is acoustical modem. The shell project
design,
manufacturing startup.
short-range, underwater casing for
budgets, and for the new materials, custon equipment, and a
seal to
manager ofthe shell required special design, product owner, needs sixty
modem
the underwater to 50 meters Air Connection
Links, the
Control Institute meeting in Hong Kong.thousand
withstand pressure(next January 15)for the Estuary
modemsin 91 days
oCEk design and production departments. In three hours she would meet with senior management
decide to accept the clients request at their price or come up with an alternate plan. Songsee
alized she should have several options for senior management to consider, along with a
recommendation.
1, involved?
Should SCF accept or reject ACL's request? Which option would you select? What risks are
) How should SCF negotiate with ACL? How can SCF and ACL develop a positive, long-range
relationship? Give some specifics.