Timbuk2 Case Study
Timbuk2 Case Study
Belinda Walker
MG 390 Operations Management
Professor: Phillip Durham
Timbuk2 Case Study
Rob Honeycutt began Timbuk2 in San Francisco, California in 1989. The bicycle messenger wanted to create a bag that was durable but stylish enough to be marketable. He used an old sewing machine to make a bag different from the traditional back pack. He is asked about these handlebar bags by other people while he is still working as a messenger. With an investment of two hundred dollars, he buys fabric and fasteners. He makes fifty bags and sells them to a local bike shop (Caltani, 2011). His company Scumbags or Timbuk2, as it is currently called, is born.
Mr. Honeycutt met recent University of California at Berkeley graduate Brennan Mulligan. The two joined together in 1993 to put into production the designer messenger bags. By 1996, Timbuk2 was up and running manufacturing company. What started out has a small operation making custom bags for individuals had grown into mass production of messenger bags and other accessories for retail sale. Timbuk2 has two major product lines. The customer messenger bag and laptop bags. The individual custom bags are tailored made in San Francisco. The laptop bags which are manufactured in larger quantities are produced in China (Cachon, Cattani, & Netessine, 2007).
Timbuk2 competitive dimensions are essentially the same for both product lines. Their key dimensions are the quality of their product, the variety, and fast shipment. Their products have a lifetime guarantee. They stand behind their legendary quality and craftsmanship. If there is a defect in the materials or workmanship of the product individuals will receive store credit for replacement of the product. Another key dimension is their customization. Customers have the ability to create their own bag. Timbuk2 offers the selection of the bag type, colors for the panels, handles on the bag and much more. The number of combination is
Belinda Walker
MG 390 Operations Management
Professor: Phillip Durham
Timbuk2 Case Study
Rob Honeycutt began Timbuk2 in San Francisco, California in 1989. The bicycle messenger wanted to create a bag that was durable but stylish enough to be marketable. He used an old sewing machine to make a bag different from the traditional back pack. He is asked about these handlebar bags by other people while he is still working as a messenger. With an investment of two hundred dollars, he buys fabric and fasteners. He makes fifty bags and sells them to a local bike shop (Caltani, 2011). His company Scumbags or Timbuk2, as it is currently called, is born.
Mr. Honeycutt met recent University of California at Berkeley graduate Brennan Mulligan. The two joined together in 1993 to put into production the designer messenger bags. By 1996, Timbuk2 was up and running manufacturing company. What started out has a small operation making custom bags for individuals had grown into mass production of messenger bags and other accessories for retail sale. Timbuk2 has two major product lines. The customer messenger bag and laptop bags. The individual custom bags are tailored made in San Francisco. The laptop bags which are manufactured in larger quantities are produced in China (Cachon, Cattani, & Netessine, 2007).
Timbuk2 competitive dimensions are essentially the same for both product lines. Their key dimensions are the quality of their product, the variety, and fast shipment. Their products have a lifetime guarantee. They stand behind their legendary quality and craftsmanship. If there is a defect in the materials or workmanship of the product individuals will receive store credit for replacement of the product. Another key dimension is their customization. Customers have the ability to create their own bag. Timbuk2 offers the selection of the bag type, colors for the panels, handles on the bag and much more. The number of combination is
References: ( 20120701)(n.d.). Retrieved July 1, 2012, from http://www.timbuk2.com (Cachon G Cattani K Netessine S 2007 Where in the world is Timbuk2?)Cachon, G., Cattani, K., & Netessine, S. (2007). Where in the world is Timbuk2? Paper presented at the Outsourcing, Offshoring, and Mass Customization. Retrieved from http://cachon-terwiesch.net/3e/sample_cases/Timbuk2.pdf (Caltani K 2011 Tao of Timbuk2)Caltani, K. (2011). The Tao of Timbuk2. In R. Hercher, Jr. & G. Korosa (Eds.), Operations and supply chain management (13th ed., pp. 36-37). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.