I know headquarters wants us to add that new product line, said Dell Havasi, manager of Billings Companys Office Products Division. But I want to see the numbers before I make any move. Our divisions return on investment (ROI) has led the company for three years, and I dont want any letdown.

Billings Company is a decentralized wholesaler with five autonomous divisions. The divisions are evaluated on the basis of ROI, with year-end bonuses given to the divisional managers who have the highest ROIs. Operating results for the companys Office Products Division for this year are given below:

Sales	$	10,000,000
Variable expenses		6,000,000
Contribution margin		4,000,000
Fixed expenses		3,200,000
Net operating income	$	800,000
Divisional average operating assets	$	4,000,000

The company had an overall return on investment (ROI) of 15% this year (considering all divisions). Next year the Office Products Division has an opportunity to add a new product line that would require an additional investment that would increase average operating assets by $1,000,000. The cost and revenue characteristics of the new product line per year would be:

Sales	$2,000,000
Variable expenses	60% of sales
Fixed expenses	$640,000