A manager wants to determine the number of containers to use for incoming parts for a kanban
system to be installed next month. The process will have a usage rate of 80 pieces per hour. Because
the process is new, the manager has assigned an inefficiency factor of .35. Each container holds
45 pieces, and it takes an average of 75 minutes to complete a cycle. How many containers should
be used? As the system improves, will more or fewer containers be required? Why?
