Question

Joe Jenkins, the owner of Jenkins Manufacturing, is considering whether to produce a new product. Joe will be selling the product for a price of $70 per unit. If he uses the current equipment, Joe estimates the fixed costs per year to be $40,000 and variable costs for each unit produced to be $50. However, Joe is considering the purchase of new equipment that would produce the product more efficiently. Joe’s fixed cost would be raised to $60,000 per year, but the variable cost would be reduced to $25 per unit. If Joe's demand forecast is 900 units, should Joe produce the product using the existing or the new equipment? Produce using the existing equipment. Produce using the new equipment. Does not matter, which equipment is used. The product should not be produced at all.

Answer 1

Answer:

Jenkins Manufacturing

Joe should produce using the new equipment.

Explanation:

a) Costs incurred using the old equipment:

Variable costs = $45,000 ($50 x 900)

Fixed costs = $40,000

Total costs = $85,000

Operating Loss = $22,000 ($63,000 - 85,000)

b) Costs incurred using the new equipment:

Variable costs = $22,500 ($25 x 900)

Fixed costs = $60,000

Total costs = $82,500

Operating Loss = $19,500 ($63,000 - 82,500)

Production using the new equipment would reduce the operating loss by $2,500.