1. In this case, the story is focused around the ordering of bottles for Greaves Brewery. Alex
Benson is tasked with trying to predict or forecast the number of bottles needed for this
coming year, however, he is having a tough time doing so. As he tries to predict the
amount needed, he must factor in the recent slump in 2003 due to government taxes, but
Benson is reasonably certain that the government would not levy any new taxes in 2005.
In addition to this, Benson must consider that the company may change their bottle
design at the end of 2005, if not, certainly by 2006 which means that he cannot have
inventory left over, otherwise that would be a waste of money. Alex is faced with the task
of forecasting sales and using that to determine how many bottles he should order as
there is a minimum order of 15,000 cases per year and a leeway time that he must keep in
mind. Along with this, Alex must also factor in the amount of return bottles coming in as
