Question

A company has three products possible products that it can produce in a machine intensive production process. Capacity is constrained by the number of hours the machines can run during a period and the products are so popular that all units produced will be sold. Here is additional information:
​ Product A Product B Product C
Contribution per unit $20 $30 $40
Machine hours per unit 2.5 3.25 4.5
Which of the following would be an accurate conclusion based on these facts?

A. Since Product C has the greatest contribution margin per unit and therefore emphasizing its production and sales will lead to the highest operating income in the short-run

B. Since A takes less time to produce, maximization of operating income will occur by emphasizing production and sales of A.

C. A balanced mix of 1/3 A, 1/3 B, and 1/3 C should be the goal when maximizing operating income in the short-run.

D. Product B should be emphasized if the goal is to maximize contribution margin.

Answer 1

Answer:

D

Explanation:

                                          A             B             C

Contribution per unit      20          30           40

Machine hours per unit  2.5          3.25       4.5

Contribution per hour     8             9.23       8.89

Product B has the highest contribution per hour .

It is stated that the capacity is constrained by the number of hours the machine can run during a period . and all products produce will be sold. This has made the machine hour the determinant factor in the situation.

Therefore product B should be emphasized if the goal is to maximize contribution margin.