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 a decision. 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 using 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	$ 22,835,000
Variable expenses	14,297,200
Contribution margin	8,537,800
Fixed expenses	6,190,000
Net operating income	$ 2,347,800
Divisional average operating assets	$ 4,000,000

The company had an overall return on investment (ROI) of 17.00% this year (considering all divisions). Next year the Office Products Division has an opportunity to add a new product requiring $2,755,000 of additional average operating assets. The annual cost and revenue estimates for the new product would be:

Sales	$ 9,915,000
Variable expenses	65	% of sales
Fixed expenses	$ 2,607,450

Required:

Compute the Office Products Divisions margin, turnover, and ROI for this year.

Compute the Office Products Divisions margin, turnover, and ROI for the new product by itself.

Compute the Office Products Divisions margin, turnover, and ROI for next year assuming it performs the same as this year and adds the new product.

If you were in Dell Havasis position, would you accept or reject the new product?

Why do you suppose headquarters is anxious for the Office Products Division to add the new product?

Suppose the companys minimum required rate of return on operating assets is 14% and performance is evaluated using residual income.

Compute the Office Products Divisions residual income for this year.

Compute the Office Products Divisions residual income for the new product by itself.

Compute the Office Products Divisions residual income for next year assuming it performs the same as this year and adds the new product.

Using the residual income approach, if you were in Dell Havasis position, would you accept or reject the new product?