Kingsford Charcoal Case Solution And Analysis, HBR Case Study Solution & Analysis of Harvard Case Studies

Kingsford Charcoal Case Solution

Executive Summary

This case revolves around the charcoal industry in which the mentioned and focused organization is (Kingsford Charcoal). The organization start working in the year (1920) and proceed with its operation in the manufacturing of charcoal after a few years its plant was purchased by the group investor (Clorox). The main purpose of the manufacturing process is to get the best quality of charcoal, which presents a longer burning time and also presents itself hotter as compared to regular wood. The business of Kingsford Charcoal is mainly depending on seasons and it presents (60%) of purchasing charcoal between the month of (May and September).

In the current time year (2000) organizations faced a few challenges that raised because of the current situation. These challenges ultimately put an impact on the sales of the organization. There are various elements and factors are examined to identify the main reason for the downfall and the way to reduce the challenge. The elements analyzed for the organization (grilling method choice among the people of America) help to identify the popularity of the charcoal business. Moreover, the marketing mix is defined for Kingsford Charcoal in which few suggestions include that help organization in the current time.

The main issues were related to pricing, promotion, and production. The strategic decisions include changing and adjusting the prices, effective promotion strategies, and improvement in the product line. These could be implemented via deep analysis and strengthening of the R&D sections, posting banners and slogans at important events, increasing prices via consultation with the administrators, etc. these would require a period of quite some time but would eventually lead te company to the path of success. The strengthening of the R&D section would definitely pay the company in good rather the condition improves or fails.

Company Background

“Kingsford Charcoal” is a well-known organization that presents its work in the charcoal industry. Kingsford is considered one of the largest product groups under its portfolio of (Clorox). In the charcoal industry, Kingsford starts its business in the year (1920) and during this period (Henry Ford) presents their work in the development of a process that turns wood scrapings into charcoal pieces.

The main purpose of this process is to get the best quality of charcoal, which presents a longer burning time and also presents itself hotter as compared to regular wood. The first briquette plant of Kingsford Charcoal for manufactured by (E.G. Kingsford and a relative of Ford) and they also present their work in commercializing the overall business in the market. In the year (1973) the plant of Kingsford is purchased by the leading investment group (Clorox).

The charcoal is manufactured by Kingsford Co. by using different materials including (limestone, minerals, wood, starch, sodium nitrate, and starch). Looking over the process of manufacturing charcoal inside the plants first presents transforming the waste of wood into (wood char) by using a rejoinder facility. This machine is used to heat the wood under an (oxygen-controlled) atmosphere. The business of Kingsford Charcoal is mainly depending on seasons and it presents (60%) of purchasing charcoal between the month of (May and September).

Key Issues

The case revolves around Kingsford Charcoal which presents that organization enjoys continuous growth from (1% to 3%), since the year 1980. Now look over the current period in the year (2000) the overall growth of the charcoal industry become highly down and this factor ultimately impacts the organization's sales forecast. The trend is shifting towards gas grilling and thus the charcoal market is declining. Now the organization facing a challenge of drops in sales there is a need to identify the best solution to reduce this current challenge that helps the organization increase its overall growth.

Situational Analysis

After examining the case of (Kingsford Charcoal) and the current problem faced by the organization it presents a need to analyze various elements that directly or indirectly impact the practices of the organization. This basic analysis helps the organization to understand and identify the reasons behind the current challenges that ultimately affect its overall sales.

Reasons Behind People Grills

Grilling is considered a basic and mainly used technique by the American people for cooking purposes. It is a method used to cook a portion of food by using the application of dry heat placed on both sides of the food surface (above or below). Since the year (1950) grilling food is become more popular in America and most of the population involve in this practice. This type of food is known as (Barbeque) and this grilling food is considered the heart of Americans. In America, people grill for their passion and also for enjoyment purposes...........\

Kingsford Charcoal Case Solution

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