The executive vice-president finance and MIS of P.A. Bergner & Co. (Bergner), a large mid-western U.S.-based department store retailer, received word that Bank One had pulled its $32.1 million letter of credit. Buoyed by the successful acquisition of Boston Stores, Bergner acquired Carson, Pirie Scott & Co. The downturn in the economy coupled with "excessive" debt levels has precipitated a crisis. The focus of the case is on formulating .....more

In early 1989, with growing concern among Canadians about the impending solid waste problem, Grad Schnurr, the brand manager for Downy fabric softener, was considering the launch of a more environmentally friendly form of packaging. These "Enviro-Paks" would reduce the amount of plastic used in a standard 3L package by 85%, resulting in a 15% saving in total manufacturing costs. Although a similar type of packaging had already been introduced .....more