Final answer:
The manufacturer should use an order quantity of 56 units to minimize inventory costs using the EOQ model.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to minimize inventory costs using the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) model, the manufacturer should determine the optimal order quantity. The EOQ formula is given by: EOQ = √(2DS/H), Where: D is the demand or annual requirement (11,775 units), S is the setup or ordering cost ($166 per order), H is the holding or carrying cost (15% of the unit purchase cost)
Plugging in the values, we get: EOQ = √(2 * 11,775 * 166 / (0.15 * 30)), EOQ = √3138 EOQ ≈ 56 units (rounded to the nearest whole number). Therefore, the manufacturer should use an order quantity of 56 units in order to minimize inventory costs.