MANUFACTURING MANAGEMENT

CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT

TOPIC SELECTED: SUSTAINABLE FARMING

COMPANY NAME: SOSbio (Sustainable organic solutions Pty Ltd)

Team members:

ID No NAME

SREEVATSAVAYA SIVA SATYA DHEERAJ

2019A4PS1364H VARMA
2019A4PS1365H BHAVIT JAIN
2019A4PS1366H PRANEET PAWAR
2019A4PS1371H PRATHAM MISHRA
2019A4PS1490H ATHARVA NIGAM
2019A4PS1491H CHEERLA MAHENDER
2019A4PS1492H ETTEDI RANJITH
2019A4PS1493H TANISHQ GUPTA
COMPANY PROFILE:

SOSBio is a growing technology company based in Australia, with an aim to provide the
pathway to sustainable agriculture.
They plan to combine both crop productivity and ecosystem
health. SOSBio is actively developing technologies to make
this possible.
SOSBio is leading the development of commercially-
efficient fertilisers and microbial enhancers backed by
fundamental scientific research for environmentally-
friendly agriculture.

Its aim is to provide eco-friendly products which have higher

efficacy than traditional chemicals, and at the same time improve
the environment. SOSBio solutions are designed to restore damaged soils, decrease
waterways contamination, and contribute to saving the Great Barrier Reef.

Innovating in the space of microbial additives and new generation organic fertilizers,
SOSBio is commercializing a range of products ready for deployment to horticulture and
broadacre growers, organic farms, and soilless culture greenhouses. They’ve also made a
breakthrough with 100% organic liquid fertiliser that will substitute chemicals used in
current large-scale soilless culture operations and has the potential to opening up more
opportunity for mainstream organic produce.

Organic products/farming done with affordability and nature conservation is its ultimate
motive.

They sell products like eco-NPK, Liquid soil (soilless culture), and eco-friendly farm input
CROPUP. It has sold over a million Kg of eco-NPK in previous financial year.

MISSION STRATEGY AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE:

Objective/mission of the company: They are committed to offering scientifically
validated organic products to the agricultural sector. To discover better ways to cultivate
plants, they emphasize using evidence-based research and scientific methodologies.

Company culture: They appreciate the possibility provided by technological

advancements to create products that will ultimately result in a healthier planet and
healthier people.

Impact: The world's expanding population and the health of our planet necessitate
paradigm-shifting answers. They strive to ‘shake the snow globe’ of ingrained cognition
and behavioral patterns that are not future-friendly.

Centers of innovation:
Increase growth and yield, healthier plants, improved flavor, improved soil health and
microbes, increased production potential, use of new generation organic fertilizers.

Missions to be accomplished:
 Showcasing the synergy between commercial and environmental goals.
 Growers at all scales can benefit from improved soil health and microbial
communities.
 Reduced erosion and pollution of streams facilitate environmental improvement.
 Making more nutrients available to the plant results in increased output and yields.
 Expanding the amount of food available to an ever-increasing human population.
 Providing customers with tasty, wholesome, and healthful crops and produce.
 Greater growing regulations would ensure more efficient use of available land and
space.
 Using natural disease resistance to reduce the need for pesticides.

PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE:

A product's life cycle is divided into four stages: introduction, growth, maturity, and decline.
The marketing expenses of advertising the product decrease at each of these stages. 
This is due to the fact that far more individuals are becoming aware of the product's
identity.

INTRODUCTION PHASE: The product is researched, designed, developed, and

introduced to the intended market during the introduction phase. If it is discovered,
however, that the wrong target market has been identified, study, planning, development,
and introduction to a new market must be undertaken. This stage has no set length, but
the quicker it is, the cheaper the promotion will be and the more revenue will be made. A
brief implementation stage with good growth indicates that the research was done properly
and the relevant target market was found.

GROWTH PHASE: During this stage, the focus is on increasing distribution, customer
happiness, and referral sources. This is the time to start cultivating customer loyalty. The
grower must assure consistency, quality, and quantity at this time. It is doomed to fail if the
consumer loses faith in the product during this period. The length of this stage varies
depending on the product. There are no rules to follow; some stages of growth take a few
months, while others take years.

MATURATION PHASE: This is the point at which competition has decreased, consumers
are well-informed about your product, and demand has decreased. The marketing effort's
major goal is to maintain consistency, consumer loyalty, and quality. Revenue should
increase while expenses should decrease. There is no time restriction on the maturing
stage.

DECLINE PHASE: The decline phase is characterised by a significant drop in sales. This
can be linked to a number of factors, including increased competition, a shift in client
behavior patterns, or the introduction of a substitute product. The farmer must determine
whether to improve, alter, or discontinue the product he is selling during this phase. There
is no temporal limit on the duration of this phase.
________________________________________________________________________

PRODUCTS OF SOSbio:
 CropUp
 ecoNPK
 Liquisoil

CropUp:

Product quality:
 Certified Australian Registered Farm & Garden Input (Allowed input 12704)
 Contains 100% organic matter (non-toxic and chemical-free)
 Perfect for organic growers and those transitioning to organic production methods

CropUp has been statistically confirmed to boost the rate of growth and production on your
agricultural farm.
Product features attributing to enhanced strategy:
 Adaptive nutrient release of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, and other nutrients
during the plant's life cycle follows rapid seedling growth. For a healthy plant to
develop well, it needs a wide range of nutrients, a high carbon content, natural
sugars, and growth stimulants.

 Long-term soil improvement with an all-in-one fertilizer and soil conditioner

 Increases microbial activity, which aids in the formation of a rich rhizosphere.

 Promotes nitrogen availability and nutrition uptake from the air and soil.

Product features:
 In conventional fertilisers, more than 70% of nitrogen is lost as runoff. Because to
CropUp's minimal leaching and adaptive release qualities, the majority of nutrients
are given and available when the plant requires them.
 High-Efficiency:
Plants that grow faster, yield more, and are healthier. CropUp is a dry fertiliser that
is both economical and effective.
 Completely traceable:
Regulation-compliant to the nth degree. CropUp may be traced back to its source
using quality control procedures and third-party testing.
 Safe Input in Food Value Chain:
Third-party testing has confirmed that Safe Input in the Food Value Chain CropUp is
pathogen-free. Organic growers and those intending to shift to organic farming will
find this to be the best option.
 Locally manufactured:
SOSBio is based in Brisbane and is owned and operated by Australians. We're an
organic agribusiness-focused group of scientists with backgrounds in microbiology,
plant science, chemistry, and engineering.

EcoNPK:
Product Overview:

o Organic matter

o Essential nutrients

o Micro-elements

o High carbon content (24%)

o Natural sugars

o Humates to stimulate plant growth

Product Efficacy and growth rate:

 By bulk, a faster rate of growth and a higher yield are achieved.

 When Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium are needed, the adaptive
release function provides for a boost.
 For an ideal development profile and low nutrient loss, the pellet is
contained within a natural mineral called zeolite.
 ecoNPK stimulates microbial activity, allowing more nutrients to reach the
roots.
 Your crops will be more resistant to infections if you use ecoNPK.

Environmental strategy:
 You will notice a dramatic reduction in nutrient loss and runoff when you
use ecoNPK.
 EcoNPK nourishes the soil with high carbon and organic material, unlike
standard inorganic fertilisers, which degrade soil quality.
 Fertiliser pellets increase nitrogen availability and nutrient uptake from
the air and soil.
 Consumers expect socially responsible farming practises, and this
product delivers.
 LiquiSoil:

Liquisoil is a carefully created liquid fertiliser that provides exceptional results while being
completely unlike chemical formulations. Nutrient and trace microelement spectrum
generated from nature. Carbon, sugars from nature, and growth promoters. Compost and
humic matter are used to make this product. It's harnesses black soil, which is rich,
nutritious, and promotes plant development.

Product features:

 Organic byproducts were used to make this product.

 There are no artificially generated nutritional salts in this product.

 There are no chemical additions or preservatives in this product.

 Liquisoil is environmentally friendly in its creation, use, and disposal.

Environmentally friendly:
 Organic byproducts were used to make this product.

 There are no artificially generated nutritional salts in this product.

 There are no chemical additions or preservatives in this product.

 Liquisoil is environmentally friendly in its creation, use, and disposal.

Advanced Formulation:
A nutrient-dense fertiliser that incorporates cutting-edge scientific understanding of:

 Physiology of plants

 Management of nutrient sources

 Hydroponics is a term that refers to the use of hydroponics

CropUp

EcoNPK

LiquiSoil
Location Decisions:
 Exchange rates and currency risks:
Brisbane based SOSbio does not have rate change rapidly over time which makes
it safe from financial deprivation economically.
 Costs:
Costs related to public transportation is less including labor, material and taxes in
relation to the storage units of SOSbio.
 Labor Productivity:
Labor Cost per unit is the salient measure. The Production in units per day for the
company is high whereas wage rates are mediocre making the location suitable for
manufacturing.
 Proximity to markets:
The company aims to gain natural resources for sustainable farming and Brisbane
is in a proximal distance to farms and rich-soil grounds.
 Proximity to Suppliers:
Certain crops can be perishable which need a quick transportation system and
bulkier products can get damaged if the distance is short.
SWOT ANALYSIS:

The SWOT analysis is an extremely useful tool for understanding and decision-making for
all sorts of situations in business and organizations.

SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. Information

about the origins and inventors of SWOT analysis is below. The SWOT analysis headings
provide a good framework for reviewing strategy, position and direction of a company or
business proposition, or any other idea.

Completing a SWOT analysis is very simple, and is a good subject for workshop sessions.
SWOT analysis also works well in brainstorming meetings.

Use SWOT analysis for business planning, strategic planning, competitor evaluation,
marketing, business and product development and research reports. .

Note that SWOT analysis is often interpreted and used as a SWOT Analysis 2x2 Matrix,
especially in business and marketing planning.

Strengths Weakness

● Innovation-R&D on new technology ● Less Market presence

and new microbial enhancers in ● Absence of Company -
organic fertilisers. manufacturing facility.
● Customer satisfaction
● Affordable products
● Demand is high. If there is no loss of
efficacy, farmers are willing to
transition to new ecologically friendly
inputs.

Opportunities Threats

● Government support. Government ● A competitor with a shift in

implementing strict policies to reduce focus can wipe out market
chemical fertiliser usage. share.
● Expected increase in demand in view
of betterment of the environment.
● The field of new generation fertilisers
and microbial additives is a strong and
active one, with yearly growth of 15%.
● Not much competition.
Introduction to Critical Success Factors:-

Critical Success Factors (CSFs) are every bit as important and straightforward as
they sound! They are the areas of your business or project that are vital to its
success.

They also give your people focus, and ensure that tasks and projects are aligned
across teams and departments.

In this article, we explore how to identify your CSFs, how they should relate to your
business objectives, and how they differ from Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

What are Critical Success Factor?

Essentially, critical success factors or CSFs are the elements of an organization or

project that are vital to its success.

The concept of CSFs (also known as Key Results Areas or KRAs) was first
developed by management consultant D. Ronald Daniel, in his article, "Management
Information Crisis."

John F. Rockart, of MIT's Sloan School of Management, built on and popularized the
concept almost two decades later. He defined CSFs as: "The limited number of
areas in which results if they are satisfactory, will ensure successful competitive
performance for the SOS Bio. They are the few key areas where things must go right
for the business to flourish. If results in these areas are not adequate, the
organization's efforts for the period will be less than desired."

Rockart also concluded that CSFs are "areas of activity that should receive constant
and careful attention from management." same can be applied for SOS Bio.

The Four Main Types of Critical Success Factors

Rockart identified four main types of CSFs that businesses need to consider:
1. Industry factors result from the specific characteristics of your industry.
These are the things that you must do to remain competitive within your
market. For example, a tech start-up might identify innovation as a CSF.

2. Environmental factors result from macro-environmental influences on

your organization. For example, the business climate, the economy, your
competitors, and technological advancements. A PEST Analysis can help
you to understand your environmental factors better.

3. Strategic factors result from your organization's specific competitive

strategy. They might include the way your organization chooses to position
and market itself. For example, whether it's a high-volume, low-cost
producer; or a low-volume, high-cost one.

4. Temporal factors result from your organization's internal changes and

development and are usually short-lived. Specific barriers, challenges, and
influences will determine these CSFs. For example, a rapidly expanding
business might have a CSF of increasing its international sales.

Critical Success Factors Versus Key Performance

Indicators

The term "Critical Success Factor" is often used interchangeably with the term
"Key

Performance Indicator." But they are actually very different.

Critical success factors are derived from your organization's mission and
objectives.
They set out what you need to do to be successful and tend to be universal
across
organizations. For example, they might include things like:

● Increasing profits.
● Improving employee engagement.
● Improving talent acquisition and retention.
● Becoming more environmentally friendly.

Once you've identified your CSFs, you can use them to develop more specific Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs). These are the specific criteria that managers and
organizations use to measure performance, and they often differ from organization
to organization.

KPIs provide the data that enables a business to decide whether CSFs have been
met and if goals have been achieved. KPIs can also be used at different levels of a
business – they can be used to clarify strategic, business-wide targets, or even to
drill down into team and personal objectives.

KPIs are typically more detailed and quantitative than CSFs. For example, the CSF
"Increase sales in Asian markets" could generate the KPI "Increase sales revenue in
Asian markets by 12 percent year-on-year."

SOSBIO operations management involves a variety of approaches that are focused on

managing the supply chain and inventory, as well as sales performance. The company’s
success is significantly based on effective performance in retail operations
management. Specifically, sosbio’s management covers all of the 10 decision areas of
operations management. SOSBio’s application of the 10 decisions of operations
management reflects managers’ prioritization of business objectives. In turn, this
prioritization shows the strategic significance of the different decision areas of
operations management in the company’s business. The 10 decisions of operations
management are effectively addressed in SOSBio’s business through a combination of
approaches that emphasize supply chain management, inventory management, and
sales and marketing.

The 10 Strategic Decision Areas of Operations Management at

SOSBIO :-

1. Product :- This decision area of operations management involves the strategic

characterization of the retail company’s products. In this case, the decision area covers
SOSBIO’s goods and services. As a retailer, the company offers retail service.
However, SOSBIO also has its own brands of goods, Such as Crop-up which is a
unique pellet with adaptive nutrient release that promotes significant soil improvements
and visibly healthier plants, ecoNPK which is designed to make crops thrive and benefit
the environment, Liquisoil which is the next frontier in liquid fertilizer technology for
commercial and hobby hydroponic growers supplying plants all the value of healthy,
nutrient-rich soil. The company’s operations management addresses the design of retail
service by emphasizing the variables of efficiency and cost effectiveness.

2. Quality Management :- This strategic decision area of operations management has

the objective of satisfying customers’ demands and expectations regarding SOSBIO
products. In this case, the company’s operations managers employ regular quality tests
to ensure compliance with quality requirements. SOSBIO’s operational standards are
partly based on these quality requirements, while productivity objectives are established
with allowance for conducting quality tests. Effective quality management contributes to
competitive advantage to address competition, which imposes a strong force on the
business.

3. Process :- High process efficiency and adequate production capacity are the
objectives in this strategic decision area of operations management. SOSBio solutions
are designed to restore damaged soils, decrease waterways contamination, and
contribute to saving the Great Barrier Reef. gradual but continuous growth in
productivity is maintained and capacity with the cost leadership generic strategy.

4. Location Strategy :- SOSBIO has many company-owned facilities and partner-

owned facilities in strategic locations. Such an operations management approach is
based on this strategic decision area’s objective of maximal reach to target markets. In
SOSBIO’s case, such facilities are located in key areas near most retailers. SOSBIO is
especially interested in large retail outlets and food service establishments with high
sales volume.

5. Layout Design and Strategy :- Efficient movement of people, materials and

information is the operations management concern in this strategic decision area. In
SOSBIO’s case, spaces are designed with efficiency and productivity in mind. For
example, layout design in SOSBIO production facilities is centered on the principles of
assembly line production and total quality management.

6. Job Design and Human Resources :- SOSBIO’s strategies involve training for
skills needed in the production line in production areas. For this decision area of
operations management, individual and organizational learning are also emphasized to
support SOSBIO. However, all of these policies and processes comply with SOSBIO’s
corporate standards and “Talent Sustainability” policy.

7. Supply Chain Management :- This strategic decision area focuses on operations

management practices that optimize the supply chain to match demand for materials
and intermediary products. SOSBIO’s approach is to diversify and distribute its supply
chain hubs. For example, the company operates supply chain hubs for each regional
market. In this way, SOSBIO optimizes response times to fluctuations in demand.

8. Inventory Management :- SOSBIO’s adequacy, scheduling, and cost minimization

are the key objectives in this strategic area of operations management. SOSBIO does
so through computerized monitoring of inventory. Inventory managers can access real-
time data to help them make decisions.

9. Scheduling :- SOSBIO’s uses corporate conventions for scheduling, based on local

market conditions and laws, as well as supply chain needs. For example, the company’s
strategy involves regular and seasonal schedules to address fluctuations in local market
demand. Thus, in this decision area of operations management, SOSBIO’s is flexible
and adapts to local market conditions.

10. Maintenance :- SOSBIO’s maintenance concerns are widely varied, considering the
company’s wide array of products and markets. This strategic decision area of
operations management focuses on adequate workforce and other resources that grow
with the business. SOSBIO continues to hire individuals and promotes from within the
organization to grow its workforce. Facilities are expanded, constructed or acquired to
support SOSBIO’s growth.