In Milestone Two, you will submit a Production/Resource Scheduling and Inventory Management Brief, which will become part of Component 2, due in Module Eight. In the brief you will begin defining the

Product Launch Strategy and Planning Brief

Darlene Ames

QSO 700

February 24, 2018

Product Launch Strategy

Introduction

PBM plastic Inc is a company that manufactures plastic containers and collapsible flexible liners, for example, Playtex -compatible preformed plastic baby bottle liners. Adam Burke is the brain behind the innovation of private –label product which is a product he knew no firm will be able to emulate. The purpose of choosing PBM Plastic Inc for my analysis is in order to examine the current operation of the company and be able to propose a product line which will fit the company culture and competitive market. The PBM plastic after selling its subsidiary branch to Spartak it experienced a problem in supplies because the Spartak fail to meets its demand for preformed liners which could be sold along with baby bottle products.

New product line and rationale for choosing this product line

PBM plastic Inc instead of majoring on the Plastic Baby bottle, the company can include a glass bottle product lines. This product line may be diversified to include medication bottles. Therefore, this product line will be beneficial if the company can use silicone sleeves to protect the bottle from breakage. Besides, the company could redesigns the bottle in such a way that it will be light to carry. The reason behind choosing this glass bottle is because scientists have raised issues about the presence of BPA in the plastic bottle and therefore as more people become more sensitive about their health the demand of plastic bottle may decline in future.

In order to be aligned with the current government regulation then it’s good to take advantage of the situation and position our company while the demand in the sector is still low. The glass bottle can be redesigned in different shapes and size in order to address the needs of its consumers. The company focuses its majority of its operation in manufacturing infant formula, food, cereals and baby bottle business and therefore establishing another product line which concentrates on manufacturing glass bottle and other components.

Problem of opportunity with the product line

The new product line will help in addressing some of the problem relating to the health issues. For example, their various limitations and health concern associated with a plastic bottle for example issues about BPA which is said to contain a very harmful chemical which dissolves to the baby formula. Many parents are said to be undecided on whatever product they will prefer to use for their children because they perceive that all plastic baby bottle may contain those impurities. PBM Plastics Company will offer variety those bottles for the customer to choose from. As a result, the company will gain some edge in the market and be able to attract those customers who are undecided on which purchase.

Besides, the glass bottle is easy to clean than plastics. The glass bottles are less likely to get scratches. Also, the bottle does not develop an odor and germs which are the main threat to child well-being. Parents are usually worried while they boil the plastic bottle as a way of sanitizations because they fear that the bottle may melt but with glass bottle, a guardian or parents will be stress-free because the bottle can be heated up to a higher temperature. Therefore an individual will be able to truly sanitize the bottle. A child will not be affected by germs or disease because her parents will sanitize the bottle well to ensure it germ-free. The glass bottles do not absorb odors and therefore it will seal the purity of liquids. Also, the glass bottle is more durable unless they fall and break. In order to avoid the issue of breakage, the silicon sleeves are used to protect from falling because the silicon will is good in insulating and providing a greater tactile surface for babies to hold.

How the product fits the company culture and competitive marketplace

The new product line fits perfectly to the company culture of innovation and therefore the company will come with new methods of making the product more durable in order to serve needs of their customer more effectively. The company culture is based on valuing and rewarding employees in order to motivate them. Therefore, the new product line even though it may have some challenges because of the cost of operation and other complexities associated with the product line, it will motivate the employee to work harder. Empowering employees and line manager is one of the core values of the company and therefore the new product line will offer more challenging situation which will require innovation and talents among line managers.

The new product will offer competitive advantage over other firms majoring in a plastic bottle. This is because glass bottle is healthier and more customers who are health conscious may prefer to pay more in order to purchase the glass bottle. Some firm has ventured into this sector; therefore the company should employ proper strategic approaches in order to ensure the product is preferred in the market.

Framework for developing the new product line

Developing glass baby bottle will require machines designed in such a way that it can be fed with material and other components needed in the production. The important raw material used to manufacture glass bottle include SIO2 silicon san, sodium oxide form soda ash (Na20), Calcium from limestone's (Cao), fluorspar (Alzo2). This material makes the glass clear. The glass is passed over several stages such as floating stage, coating stage, annealing stage, inspection and cutting the ribbon or reshaping the glass for sale or in order to make a glass bottle. The molten glass passes over a furnace heated at 1500 degrees. Inspection stage is the most important stage because this is where inspection technology is used in order to inspect any impurities which may be there. Automation online inspection reveals process faulty so that proper action can be undertaken on time.

Method of planning

The best methodology and planning which can fit well to the glass bottle product line is the critical path chain. This project management methodology focuses more on schedules and task. The critical chain is geared towards solving resources problems. The new product line is arranged in elements according to production stages of glass production. Each element is assigned enough resources in order to ensure the product line runs as required. Gantt chart may be used as planning method for the new product line. The chart is constructed in a horizontal axis representing the total time span for the project. The vertical axis represents the task that makes up the project. Gantt charts aids in scheduling, managing, and monitoring specifics task and resources in this product line.

Gantt Charts

References

Dan Sullivan Kilroy, (2014). “Advantage of glass bottle over plastic became clear". [Chicago Tribune, March 31st, 2015]: Retrieved from http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/chi-glass-bottles-advantage20140331-story.html

Asahi India Glass Limited. “Production of Float Glass”: Retrieved from https://www.aisglass.com/glass-manufacturing-process

Pomeroy, R. S., Watson, L. M., Parks, J. E., & Cid, G. A. (2005). How is your MPA doing? A methodology for evaluating the management effectiveness of marine protected areas. Ocean & Coastal Management, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964569112001743