Testing for the Best Brand of Paper Towels A Feasibility Report

By Jenny Bui, Alonzo Davis, Fabian Melo, Jovaughn Powell, and Brian PowersTECM 2700

Group Feasibility ProjectDecember 13, 2013

Table of Contents

Table of ContentsTable of Contents........................................................................................................................................ iii

Executive Summary.....................................................................................................................................v

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................1

Methods for Evaluating the Three Brands of Paper Towels........................................................................3

Test 1: Absorbability................................................................................................................................4

Test 2: Cost..............................................................................................................................................6

Test 3: Quantity.......................................................................................................................................5

Test 4: Dimensions..................................................................................................................................6

Results of the Evaluation.............................................................................................................................7

Test 1: Absorbability of the Paper Towels...............................................................................................7

Test 2: Cost of the Paper Towels.............................................................................................................7

Test 3: Quantity.......................................................................................................................................8

Test 4: Dimensions..................................................................................................................................8

Conclusions..................................................................................................................................................9

Recommendation......................................................................................................................................11

Executive Summary v

Executive Summary

Introduction 1

Introduction

Methods 3

Methods for Evaluating the Three Brands of Paper TowelsTo support our recommendations, we evaluate the feasibility of each brand of paper towels using the following five tests.

The Three Brands of Paper Towels:

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Test 1: Absorbability

Step 1: Get a cup and fill it up with water.

Step 2: Take a roll of Bounty paper towels and tear a sheet.

Step 3: Take the paper towel sheet and tear it in half.

Methods 5

Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 again with a roll of Super Premium Towels and Seventh Generation.

Step 5: Set down the halves of each of the paper towels side by side and take a teaspoon of water and pour it onto the halves of the paper towels.

Step 6: Compare the results of water diffusion and evaluate which brand of paper towel absorbed the most water successfully.

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Test 2: CostProcedure of the Test: Compare the costs of the brands of paper towels to one another. Browse online for paper towel prices or go to local stores.

Methods 5

Test 3: QuantityProcedure of the Test: Take each brand of paper towel, evaluate and compare their sheet count, which is provided on the plastic wrapper.

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Test 4: Dimensions Procedure of the Test: Compare the length and width dimensions written on the plastic wrapper as well.

Step 1: Tear a sheet from each brand of paper towels.

Step 2: Measure the lengths of each sheet from the 3 brands of paper towels and compare it to the other paper towels.

Step 3: Measure the widths of each sheet from the 3 brands of paper towels and compare it to the other paper towels.

Results of the Evaluation 7

Results of the EvaluationTo determine the feasibility of paper towels, I evaluated the three options according to the criteria of absorbability, cost, quantity of sheet count, and dimensions.

Test 1: Absorbability of the Paper TowelsWithin test 1, absorbability, Bounty has the highest rank number of absorbability, whereas Super Premium Towel is the one with the lowest rank number of absorbability.

Table 1: Ranking of Absorbability

Brand Name The Rank Number (1 best quality), 2, 3 (lowest quality)

Bounty 1

Seventh Generation 2

Super Premium Towels 3

Test 2: Cost of the Paper TowelsWithin test 2, cost, Super Premium is the least expensive, whereas Bounty is the most expensive.

Table 2: Cost of the Paper Towels

Test 3: QuantityWithin test 3, quantity, Super Premium Towel has the most sheet count, whereas Bounty has the least sheet count.

Brand Name Cost (U.S. Dollars)

Bounty $3.25

Super Premium Towels $2.99

Seventh Generation $3.02

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Table 3: Sheet Count of the Paper Towels

Brand Name Sheet Count (number of sheets per roll)

Bounty 121

Super Premium Towels

120

Seventh Generation 154

Test 4: DimensionsWithin test 5, all three brands have the same length, yet differ in width. Bounty and Super Premium Towels have the same width and Seventh Generation has a larger width.

Table 4: Dimensions of the Paper Towels

Brand Name Length (inches) Width (inches)

Bounty 11 6

Super Premium Towels

11 6

Seventh Generation

11 9

Conclusions 9

Conclusions

Recommendation 11

Recommendation