Compare the assembly line in China to that in San Francisco along the following dimensions : ( 1 ) volume or rate of production , ( 2 ) required skill of the workers , ( 3 ) level of automation , and ( 4 ) amount of raw materials and finished goods inventory Case: The Tao of Timbuk2*The local manufacturing is focused on the custommessenger bag. For these bags, orders are taken over theInternet. The customers are given many configuration,size, color, pocket, and strap options. The bag is tailoredto the exact specifications of the customer on the Tim-buk2 assembly line in San Francisco and sent via over-night delivery directly to the customer.Recently, Timbuk2 has begun making some of itsnew products in China, which is a concern to some ofits long-standing customers. The company argues that ithas designed its new products to provide the best pos-sible features, quality, and value at reasonable prices andstresses that these new products are still designed in SanFrancisco. Timbuk2 argues that the new bags are muchmore complex to build and require substantially morelabor and a variety of very expensive machines to pro-duce. It argues that the San Francisco factory labor costalone would make the retail price absurdly high. Afterresearching a dozen factories in China, Timbuk2 foundone that it thinks is up to the task of producing thesenew bags. Much as in San Francisco, the China factoryemploys a team of hardworking craftspeople who earngood wages. Timbuk2 visits the China factory every fourto eight weeks to ensure superior quality standards andworking conditions are met.On the Timbuk2 website, the company argues it hasthe same hardworking group of bag fanatics designingand making great bags, and supporting the local com-munity and the increasingly competitive global market."Timbuk2 is more than a bag. It's more than a brand.Timbuk2 is a bond. To its owner, a Timbuk2 bag is adependable, everyday companion. We see fierce, emo-tional attachments form between Timbuk2 customersand their bags all the time. A well-worn Timbuk2 baghas a certain patina-the stains and scars of everydayurban adventures. Many Timbuk2 bags are worn dailyfor a decade or more, accompanying the owner throughall sorts of defining life events. True to our legend of'indestructibility,' it's not uncommon for a Timbuk2 bagto outlive jobs, personal relationships, even pets. This isthe Tao of Timbuk2."What makes Timbuk2 so unique? Visit its websiteat www.timbuk2.com and see for yourself. Each bag iscustom designed by the customer on its Website. Afterthe customer selects the basic bag configuration andsize, colors for each of the various panels are presented;various lines, logos, pockets, and straps can be selectedso that the bag is tailored to the exact specifications ofthe customer. A quick click of the mouse and the bag isdelivered directly to the customer in only two days. Howdoes it do this?This San Francisco-based company is known forproducing high-quality custom and classic messengerbags according to the customer's personally customizedorder, using a team of approximately 25 hardworking cut-ters and sewers. Over the years, it has fine-tuned its plant'sproduction line to make it as efficient as possible, whileproducing the highest-quality messenger bags available.

Question

Compare the assembly line in China to that in San Francisco along the following dimensions : ( 1 ) volume or rate of production , ( 2 ) required skill of the workers , ( 3 ) level of automation , and ( 4 ) amount of raw materials and finished goods inventory Case: The Tao of Timbuk2*The local manufacturing is focused on the custommessenger bag. For these bags, orders are taken over theInternet. The customers are given many configuration,size, color, pocket, and strap options. The bag is tailoredto the exact specifications of the customer on the Tim-buk2 assembly line in San Francisco and sent via over-night delivery directly to the customer.Recently, Timbuk2 has begun making some of itsnew products in China, which is a concern to some ofits long-standing customers. The company argues that ithas designed its new products to provide the best pos-sible features, quality, and value at reasonable prices andstresses that these new products are still designed in SanFrancisco. Timbuk2 argues that the new bags are muchmore complex to build and require substantially morelabor and a variety of very expensive machines to pro-duce. It argues that the San Francisco factory labor costalone would make the retail price absurdly high. Afterresearching a dozen factories in China, Timbuk2 foundone that it thinks is up to the task of producing thesenew bags. Much as in San Francisco, the China factoryemploys a team of hardworking craftspeople who earngood wages. Timbuk2 visits the China factory every fourto eight weeks to ensure superior quality standards andworking conditions are met.On the Timbuk2 website, the company argues it hasthe same hardworking group of bag fanatics designingand making great bags, and supporting the local com-munity and the increasingly competitive global market.&#34;Timbuk2 is more than a bag. It's more than a brand.Timbuk2 is a bond. To its owner, a Timbuk2 bag is adependable, everyday companion. We see fierce, emo-tional attachments form between Timbuk2 customersand their bags all the time. A well-worn Timbuk2 baghas a certain patina-the stains and scars of everydayurban adventures. Many Timbuk2 bags are worn dailyfor a decade or more, accompanying the owner throughall sorts of defining life events. True to our legend of'indestructibility,' it's not uncommon for a Timbuk2 bagto outlive jobs, personal relationships, even pets. This isthe Tao of Timbuk2.&#34;What makes Timbuk2 so unique? Visit its websiteat www.timbuk2.com and see for yourself. Each bag iscustom designed by the customer on its Website. Afterthe customer selects the basic bag configuration andsize, colors for each of the various panels are presented;various lines, logos, pockets, and straps can be selectedso that the bag is tailored to the exact specifications ofthe customer. A quick click of the mouse and the bag isdelivered directly to the customer in only two days. Howdoes it do this?This San Francisco-based company is known forproducing high-quality custom and classic messengerbags according to the customer's personally customizedorder, using a team of approximately 25 hardworking cut-ters and sewers. Over the years, it has fine-tuned its plant'sproduction line to make it as efficient as possible, whileproducing the highest-quality messenger bags available.

Accepted Answer

Answer 
 
1) comparing the volume or rate of production, China's assembly line has a better…