Problem:
Company A is operating a 70% capacity and is earning a satisfactory Return on Investment. Company A has been approached by Company B with an offer to buy 120,000 units. Company B needs the 120,000 valves over the next 4 months. Company B is prepared to pay $19 each for the units.
Company A's product cost, based on current attainable standards, for the units are:
Direct Materials - 5.00
Direct Labor - 6.00
Manufac. Sup. - 9.00
total 20.00
Manufacturing support costs are applied to production at the rate of $18 per standard direct labor hour and they pay for the shipping. This rate is made up of the following components:
Flexible man. support - 6.00
Capacity-related man. support - 12.00
so,
Cost driver rate - 18.00
Additional cost incurred in connection with sales of the unit include sales commissions of 5% and freight expense of $1 a unit. However, the company does not pay sales commissions on special orders that come directly to management.
In determining sales prices, Company A adds a 40% markup to product cost. This provides a $28 suggest selling price for the units. The marketing dept, however, has set the current selling price at $27 to maintain market share.
Production management thinks it can handle the Company B order without disrupting its scheduled production. The order, would however, require additional capacity-related manufacturing support costs of $12,000 per month in the form of supervision and clerks.
If management accepts the order 30,000 units will be manufactured and shipped to company B for the next 4 months. Shipments will be made in weekly consignments, with Company B paying for the shipping.
Questions to answer:
Question 1. What is the impact of accepting Company B's order on Company A's profits?
Question 2. What is the minimum unit price that Company A should accept for Company B's order without reducing its profits?