Final answer:
Statements a, b, and c are true. Postponement is a strategy used by companies to delay certain activities until the last possible moment before product delivery. It helps reduce inventory levels, respond quickly to demand changes, and adds flexibility and agility to manufacturing and distribution processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marked statements:
- a. When a company makes finishing touches to a product close to its original point of manufacture, it is practicing postponement.
- b. Practicing postponement can be advantageous from both an inventory and forecasting standpoint.
- c. Postponement adds flexibility and agility to manufacturing and distribution processes.
The statements a, b, and c are all true.
Postponement is a strategy used by companies to delay certain activities until the last possible moment before product delivery. This means that finishing touches, such as packaging or customization, are done closer to the original point of manufacture. It can help companies reduce inventory levels, respond quickly to changes in demand, and avoid stock obsolescence. By practicing postponement, companies can gain flexibility and agility in their manufacturing and distribution processes, allowing them to adapt to market conditions more effectively.