(8) The crew sizes using the least amount of labor for all load 

 numl)crs in each element on the diagonal were compared and the crew- 

 load complement using the least laljor to assemble the poultry from the 

 impound point for the supply band involved was determined and tenta- 

 tively selected as the least-cost complement. 



(9) Labor costs for the selected crew-load complement in each 

 element were determined. 



(10) The final procedure in dealing with the elements along the 

 diagonal in the assembly matrix was to set up a time schedule or log for 

 the crew-load complement tentatively selected for the following pur- 

 poses : 



(a) To determine which, if any, of the trucks could make 

 more than one trip. 



<b) To make sure unloading of trucks could he accomplished 

 in time at the plant. 



( c ) Based on a and b, to reassess other crew-load complements 

 to be sure that the one finally selected yielded the least combined 

 cost of both labor use and truck ownership and was feasible as re- 

 gards unloading time at the plant. 



2. Resources Required for Assembly Firms 



The supply bands exist only as parts of firm supply areas. For in- 

 stance, the supply area for Firm C is made up of Supply Bands I, II, 

 and III. Assembly of poultry from each supply band is only a part of 

 the full assembly operation of the firm, so the crew-truck organization 

 for each firm must be established. To do this, elements in the upper 

 right-hand portion of each assembly matrix, such as the one shown in 

 Figure 3, were developed. 



Each firm can assemble from each band independently of the other 

 bands, in which case the diagonal of the matrix applies. Or the firm can 

 combine two or more bands in one assembly operation, so that the same 

 loading crew works first at one impound point in one band and then 

 at one in another band, in which case the upper-right hand portion of 

 the matrix applies. So even though crew travel within a band is elimin- 

 ated in this model, crew travel between impound points in different 

 bands is permitted. This construction permits exactness in comparing 

 alternatives; yet it recognizes that crew travel in the field can be done 

 if conditions warrant it. Combining of bands was carried out only if this 

 yielded lower cost. Research procedures for this stage were similar to 

 those described above for supply bands. 



Substitution Among Resources 



Four variables in the assembly operations, all resulting in important 

 costs, are considered in these research procedures: total labor time, size 

 of trucks, number of trucks, and shrinkage. These are related to each 

 other in a substitution sense. 



Trucks and labor substitvite for each other; therefore, the cost of 

 idle crew time at the farm waiting for a truck to return for reloading 

 must be weighed against the additional cost of providing another truck. 

 For instance, a crew of five pickup laborers and a foreman receive $7.31 



17 



