Question

The ACME manufacturing company is weighing its options to source Component X. Supplier A would cost $3000 per order plus $2.50 for each unit ordered. If ACME buys component X from Supplier B, it would cost $6.00 per unit. ACME also has the option to buy X from Supplier C that charges $5.00 per unit, but requires buyers to pay for a minimum of 400 units (even if they require less than 400). Shipping costs are the same for all suppliers. Select all true statements about sourcing Component X.

Answer 1

Question Completion:

Since the options are not provided, it is assumed that ACME requires 2,000 units of Component X monthly.  Which supplier should the company choose?

Answer:

ACME Manufacturing Company

The supplier that should be chosen is:

Supplier A.

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Quantity of component X required monthly = 2,000 units

Cost of buying from supplier A = $3,000 + ($2.50 * 2,000) = $8,000

Cost of buying from supplier B = $6 * 2,000 = $12,000

Cost of buying from supplier C = $5 * 2,000 = $10,000

b) This cost decision depends on the quantity of component X required by ACME manufacturing.  If the quantity were to be less than or equal to 1,100 units, another supplier other than supplier A might be preferred.  Again, if there are other considerations apart from cost, supplier A might not be chosen.  The implication is that the choice of a supplier for a component depend on many factors.