A company currently ships products from 5 plants to 4 warehouses. The company is considering the option of closing down one or more plants. This would increase distribution cost but perhaps lower overall cost. What plants, if any, should the company close? Step 1: Describe the decision variables Step 2: Describe the logical objective Step 3: Describe the logical constraints Step 4: Develop the mathematical model (i.e., objective function and constraints) Step 5: Solve the problem using the "Plant" worksheet and the Excel "Solver" Plant Decision A company currently ships its product from 5 plants to 4 warehouses. It is considering closing one or more plants to reduce cost. What plant(s) should the company close, in order to minimize transportation and fixed costs? Transportation Costs (per 1000 products) Plant 1Plant 2Plant 3Plant 4Plant 5Demand Warehouse 1$4,000 $2,000 $3,000 $2,500 $4,500 15 Warehouse 2$2,500 $2,600 $3,400 $3,000 $4,000 18 Warehouse 3$1,200 $1,800 $2,600 $4,100 $3,000 14 Warehouse 4$2,200 $2,600 $3,100 $3,700 $3,200 20 Plant 1Plant 2Plant 3Plant 4Plant 5 Fixed Cost$12,000 $15,000 $17,000 $13,000 $16,000 Capacity20 22 17 19 18