Due to the h1n1 flu outbreak, the demand for hand sanitizer tripled. Should johnson & johnson increase production of their purell hand sanitizer? Should it invest in doubling production capacity?

Answer: No, johnson & johnson should not double its production capacity of their purell hand sanitizer.

Explanation: An increase in demand of hand sanitizers due to the H1N1 flue will shift the demand curve for hand sanitizers to the right. The price of hand sanitizers will increase meaning that greater production levels are profitable. The firms can take advantage of this profitability by increasing manufacturing capacity. However, capacity will be increased for many years and the H1N1 flu is a temporary phenomenon. So, once the H1N1 flu is controlled demand for hand sanitizer is likely to return to previous levels. As a result the increased capacity will then remain idle and unprofitable. So, johnson & johnson should not double its production capacity of their purell hand sanitizer.