Case 4.0 AligatorAde, a Regional Soft Drink Bottling Plant in Clovis, California

Essay

Case 4.0
AligatorAde, a regional soft drink bottling plant in Clovis, California, produces according to the forecast given to them by corporate planning in Michigan. The company uses the focus strategy, designating a market of persons involved in athletic sports. AligatorAde sponsors Clovis Little League, and has a reputation for positive support of sports activities.
On the few occasions when production exceeds demand, corporate warehousing juggles the distribution so that the regional producers such as AligatorAde experience no significant loss. Although competitors have switched formulas several times, AligatorAde has not changed their formula because market demand for their product is stable. (Top management at corporate headquarters is considering adding a more fruity-flavored drink to their product line, but a decision is not yet made.)
On the line, the Manufacturing Department produces large batches of their drink. The product is prepared for distribution in both cans and bottles. Occasionally at the end of a run, some bottles will have special team labels affixed by machine; profitability on those few special runs is particularly high.
The plant's organization chart shows that there is a plant manager with four department heads reporting to her: Manufacturing Manager, Administrative Manager, Marketing Manager, and Warehousing and Distribution Manager. The purchasing function is carried out in Manufacturing, and what little R&D takes place at the regional plant is done in Marketing.
-Reference Case 4.0 to answer the following question. Using the framework for environmental uncertainty, analyze AligatorAde's environment, and then make recommendations to the regional management of the plant based on your application of the framework. [Hint: Application of the textbook is what gets points!]