The BLOCK.xls Model The Building Block Method View the model Download the model This example uses the full power of your spreadsheet software to develop larger applications using smaller ones as building blocks. In this way, comprehensive models can be created that can simultaneously cover many different aspects of a business situation. Objective of Optimization: The objective of optimization is to maximize total profits. The total profit is the sum of individual plant profits, minus the sum of the shipping costs from the individual steel mills. Keywords: Break Even Point | Distribution | Inventory | Network | Product Management | Product Mix | Production | Sales | Shipping | Shortest Route | Transportation Model | Airlines | Communications | Geographic | Petroleum Industry | RailRoad Industry | Steel Industry