Rolls Royce Group is a public limited company that is listed in the Financial Times London stock exchange. Rolls Royce manufactures power systems which incorporates the manufacture of aircraft engines in conjunction with general electric. The company also manufactures a number of power systems in the energy sector alongside systems used in marine propulsion. Rolls Royce is currently the world’s largest manufacturer of aircrafts engines together with the general electric. Also, it is a significant contractor with the defense forces where it operates and oversees defense related activities. This is clearly depicted by the widespread use of aircraft engines manufactured by Rolls Royce in the First World War by allies (Rolls Royce Group 2005).
Developments in aircraft engine manufacturing have recorded tremendous advances from innovative designs which have placed them high in the business ranking. Rolls Royce has advanced through several designs with the development of the turbine engine which was assigned the name British river with regards to the engine’s steady flow of power. This is as opposed to the piston design which had no stable flow of power (Rolls Royce Group 2007).
Rolls Royce financial performance has continuously grown with its advancement in engine manufacture designs. This marvelous performance has been unlike the economic downturns that the business environment has dealt with particularly in 2009. The company maintained its pursuit for growth advancement so as to stay at the top of power systems manufacture business. Their growth has greatly contributed to their world class status: advancement came through development of outstanding technology and widespread knowledge of their customers. Their revenue earnings have steadily grown since 2007 to 2011; this growth is attributed to research and development on extraordinary aviation technologies. The company has invested equal amounts in research and development through the years as per the returns to additional investment. This has consequently enabled the company to increase its payout ratio per share with regard to capitalization and relevant financing (Rolls Royce Group 2009).
The period between the year two thousand and seven and the year twenty eleven has seen its shareholders receive capital gains and payout with respect to the steady performance growth of the company. Major funding of Rolls Royce Group Plc is based on shareholder funding where investors place confidence in the investment with respect to company performance. The more the company experience steady growth and development, the more reliable investors and shareholders would be in financing the company as listed company in the stock exchange. Its performance in the stock exchange is predominantly significant to investor confidence and consequently the funding and financing of the company as a whole. The economic environment in which Rolls Royce Group Company operates is subject global and local economic pressures such as inflation. The global business environment has in the past experienced vast economic downturn that consequently played a big influencing and costly perspectives to the general company performance (Rolls Royce Group Holdings 2007).
Assignment 2
Feasibility Study for Umbrella Manufacture
An Umbrella is a universal product that is used by people to protect themselves from sun rays and rain. However, the initial invention of the Umbrella was meant to screen people from the scorching sun but has now evolved to serve both cases. Currently, the Umbrella is widely used by majority of the customers widespread all over the world to cover them from rain. The customer base for Umbrellas is restricted to individuals needs to cover themselves during the rainy and sunny seasons. People of all ages, genders and class are driven to make purchases of Umbrella products with regards to their need to shelter themselves (Rolls Royce Group Holdings 2010).
The Umbrella market is focused on low income individuals who spend most of their time in the open environment. The open environment where there are no well built shades and shelters often subject individuals to pressures and needs of purchasing Umbrella. However, the high income individuals are also faced with the need to purchase Umbrellas when in public vicinities where shelters are limited. The market generally traverses all kinds of individuals regardless of gender, income levels and age. Age factor may be a matter to be put inconsideration where there is need for repetitive purchase. Young people may make repetitive purchases since the products may depreciate with the increased usage level. All in all every household is a potential customer for Umbrella depending on the number of household members (Rolls Royce Group Holdings 2011).
Components for the product include a shaft, fabric for the canopy, coating and finishing materials. The shaft may be of wood material, aluminum or wood that is 3/8 inches with limited allowance for variation in thickness. However, the shaft may be made from plastics and other materials such as fiberglass that can fit into the production specifications. The fabric used to make the canopy is usually with regards to customer specifications and preferences alongside ideal functionalities. The nylon taffeta is mostly used and coated with acrylic and scorch guard finish. However, the finish and coating is usually done by the fabric supplier and according to customer specifications. Fabric specifications include waterproof and lightweight materials that are essential for the end product (Rolls Royce Group Holdings 2005).
Umbrellas are generally made through the process of hand assembly by semi skilled workers. Workers are trained from the field although those who already posses the skills are advantageous since the company will be able to save on training costs. Material selection is done alongside the process of manufacturing where customer specifications and quality of materials come into play. More so, purchasing decisions highly influence the choice of materials and quality of products to be produced throughout the year. The most dynamic product in the current market is the collapsible Umbrellas although it required more material and skills to manufacture (Rolls Royce Group Holdings 2012).
(Lasser 2011)
Bibliography:
Lasser, J, K, 2011, Your Income Tax 2012: For Preparing Your 2011 Tax Return. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ.
Luhr, O, and Friedl, H, 2011, manufacturing cost data on artificial ice. Cononiari LLC.
Rolls Royce Group 2005, “Annual Report and accounts 2004”, viewed from Rolls-Royce Publications.
Rolls Royce Group plc, 2010, “Annual Report 2009”, viewed from Rolls Royce Publications.
Rolls Royce Group 2012, “Rolls Royce Plc Holdings Annual Report 2011”, viewed from Rolls Royce Publications.
Rolls Royce Group 2011, “Rolls Royce Plc Holdings Annual Report 2010”,Viewed from Rolls Royce Publications.
Rolls Royce Group 2009, “Rolls Royce Plc Holdings Annual Report 2008”, viewed from Rolls Royce Publications.
Rolls Royce Group 2007, ‘Rolls Royce Plc Holdings Annual Report 2008”, viewed from Rolls Royce Publications.
