Question

Bain Corporation makes and sells state-of-the-art electronics products. One of its segments produces The Math Machine, an inexpensive calculator. The company’s chief accountant recently prepared the following income statement showing annual revenues and expenses associated with the segment’s operating activities. The relevant range for the production and sale of the calculators is between 30,000 and 60,000 units per year.Revenue (40,000 units × $10.80) $ 432,000 Unit-level variable costs Materials cost (40,000 × $2.70) (108,000 )Labor cost (40,000 × $1.20) (48,000 )Manufacturing overhead (40,000 × $1.20) (48,000 )Shipping and handling (40,000 × $0.30) (12,000 )Sales commissions (40,000 × $1.20) (48,000 )Contribution margin 168,000 Fixed expenses Advertising costs (24,000 )Salary of production supervisor (72,000 )Allocated company wide facility-level expenses (96,000 )Net loss $ (24,000 )Requireda. A large discount store has approached the owner of Bain about buying 5,000 calculators. It would replace The Math Machine’s label with its own logo to avoid affecting Bain’s existing customers. Because the offer was made directly to the owner, no sales commissions on the transaction would be involved, but the discount store is willing to pay only $6.60 per calculator. Calculate the contribution margin from the special order. Based on quantitative factors alone, should Bain accept the special order?b-1. Bain has an opportunity to buy the 40,000 calculators it currently makes from a reliable competing manufacturer for $6.72 each. The product meets Bain’s quality standards. Bain could continue to use its own logo, advertising program, and sales force to distribute the products. Should Bain buy the calculators or continue to make them?b-2. Calculate the total cost for Bain to make and buy the 40,000 calculators.b-3. Should Bain buy the calculators or continue to make them, if the volume of sales were increased to 60,000 units?c. Because the calculator division is currently operating at a loss, should it be eliminated from the company’s operations? Support your answer with appropriate computations. Specifically, by what amount would the segment’s elimination increase or decrease profitability?

Answer 1

Solution and Explanation:

Part a:                                                                            

Revenue  5000 multiply 6.6   33000            

Unit Level Variable Cost:        

Material Cost  5000 multiply 2.7   -13500    

Labor Cost  5000 multiply 1.2   -6000    

Manufacturing Cost  5000 multiply 1.2   -6000    

Shipping and Handling  5000 multiply 0.3   -1500    

Sales Commission    0    

Contribution Margin    6000            

Should be accepted as it will increase profitability by $6000          

Part b1&b2:                                 Cost to Make  Cost to Buy          

Material Cost                40000*2.7  108000      

Labor Cost                40000*1.2  48000      

Manufacturing Cost  40000*1.2  48000      

Prod Supervisor Salary             72000      

Purchase Cost  40000*6.72               0  268800          

Total Cost                               276000  268800          

Should purchase from outside as cost is lower than making it      

Part b3:        

                                          Cost to Make  Cost to Buy            

Material Cost  60000 multiply 2.7     162000      

Labor Cost  60000 multiply1.2             72000      

Manufacturing Cost  60000*1.2  72000      

Prod Supervisor Salary             72000        72000    

Purchase Cost  60000*6.72              0           403200            

Total Cost                             378000        475200            

Should make in house as cost is lower            

Part c:  It should not be eliminated.              

Elimination will decrease profitability by $72000 which is being allocated company wide facility exp.  Before Allocation, actual profit is (168000-24000-72000)=$72000    

Loss is because of allocation of facility expenese, which will be allocated on other segment.