Over the past 18-24 months freight costs from Asia have skyrocketed.  Conn-Selmer's own Ludwig brand drum kits are high mass, low dollar products, leaving the larger costs to be absorbed across low skus/dollars, making the product too expensive for the market place.  We need to optimize the logistical approach to make sure we are getting the lowest price and decrease the absorbed costs per unit. Project Location: 600 Industrial Parkway, Elkhart, IN 

Review routing guidelines, optimization of packaging and/or container space.  Determining if there is any waste or opportunities in the process to save overall cost while, which not disrupting the excellent quality that is being provided.

Coming up with a proposal that shows a path of reduced freight overhead absorption per unit.  This is the net "landed" cost of a drum set.  This is current calculated as purchase price + Purchasing Overhead (freight, duties).  As long as the net of those two are lower, it would be a success.  Any inventments would need to have a return on investment calculation as well.  Determining that they method we have is already the most optimal choice, while not wildly successful in terms of what we WANT, it would put our minds to ease that we have the best path already working for us.