Packaging Plant Consolidation: Bain-Style Operations Case Interview
Packaging Plant Consolidation is a medium-difficulty Bain-style operations case interview with 7 interviewer questions and 1 exhibit; candidates finish it in a median 25 minutes. Your first full case is free with an account: run it out loud with an AI interviewer or step by step.
| Case type | Operations |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing / Packaging |
| Firm style | Bain |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Interviewer questions | 7: context, clarifying, structure, math, 2 analysis, synthesis |
| Math questions | 1 |
| Exhibits | 1 |
| Modes | Voice and guided |
| Completed runs | 11 |
| Median time | 25 minutes |
| Source | Adapted from the Wharton consulting club casebook |
Runs, times and ratings are from Road to Offer practice data as of 6 November 2026.
The case
A US packaging subsidiary is considering consolidating production from two plants into one. Should it consolidate, and which plant should close?
The current plants are in New Jersey and Idaho. Either plant can handle all production. Larger plants reduce cutting costs but change distribution costs through a national trucking provider.
The interviewer's first question
Summarize the client situation and the decision we need to support.
Exhibits you will read
- Exhibit A: Average Cost Per Package
What this case tests
One math step, one exhibit and two analysis questions: this case weighs business judgment above calculation.