Case | HBS Case Collection | October 1992 (Revised December 1992)

American Connector Company (A)

by Gary P. Pisano

Abstract

American Connector Co. is forced to reexamine operations at its Sunnyvale plant when a Japanese competitor announces plans to build an "ultimate" plant in the United States. Case examines issues related to benchmarking a competitor's manufacturing capabilities and productivity. Allows students to compare two companies' manufacturing strategies and their implications for productivity and flexibility.

Keywords: Production; Infrastructure; Competitive Strategy; Global Strategy; Policy; Strategic Planning; Performance Productivity; Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Performance Effectiveness; Sunnyvale; Japan;

Format: Print 18 pages EducatorsPurchase

Citation:

Pisano, Gary P. "American Connector Company (A)." Harvard Business School Case 693-035, October 1992. (Revised December 1992.)

Related Work

  1. Supplement | HBS Case Collection | October 1992

    American Connector Co. (B)

    Gary P. Pisano

    Presents a plant manager's proposal to improve operations at American Connector Co. The plan attempts to imitate operations at DJC Corp., a successful Japanese competitor. Requires students to consider how changes in manufacturing impact productivity, flexibility, and overall strategy.

    Keywords: Change; Production; Performance Productivity; Strategy; Japan; Sunnyvale;

    Citation:

    Pisano, Gary P. "American Connector Co. (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 693-049, October 1992.  View Details
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About the Author

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Gary P. Pisano
Harry E. Figgie, Jr. Professor of Business Administration
Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Development
Technology and Operations Management

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