Hewlett-Packard DeskJet Printer Supply Chain (A)

By Laura Kopczak, Hau Lee
2001 | Case No. GS3A
This case describes a challenge faced by HP’s Vancouver Division in 1990. Although its new inkjet printers were selling well, inventory levels worldwide were rising as sales rose. In Europe, high product variety was making inventory levels especially high. HP considered several ways to address the inventory issue: air-freighting printers to Europe, developing more formalized inventory planning processes, or building a factory in Europe. The case can be used to discuss inventory analysis and/or to discuss the organizational challenges which companies face in implementing supply chain solutions.
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