Question 3

Tan Pte Ltd (TPL) produces a single product called T01. The product uses material sourced from Europe. The company has sufficient capacity to produce 80,000 units of T01 each month, without the need to increase fixed manufacturing overhead costs. It normally produces and sells 70,000 T01 each month at a selling price of $199 per unit. The companys unit costs at this level of activity are given below. Fixed manufacturing costs are allocated on the basis of production volume.

	Product costs			Per unit ($)
	Direct material			100.00
	Direct labour			44.50
	Variable manufacturing overhead			2.30
	Fixed manufacturing overhead			5.00
	Variable selling expenses			1.70
	Fixed selling expenses			3.50
	Total cost per unit			$157.00

Required:

Part A

1. TPL is considering expansion. The companys marketing director estimates that sales can be increased by 25% above the current monthly production level. The corresponding increase in fixed expenses is expected to be $803,000 per month. Based on these estimations, should TPL invest in the monthly increase in fixed expenses? Justify your answer by showing the net impact on profit. State any necessary assumption(s) you have to make.

(7 marks)

2. This month, TPL received a request from an overseas customer for a one-time order of 25,000 units of T01. The import duties incurred by TPL to sell these units overseas will be $2.70 per unit. Another $19,000 is expected to be incurred for permits and licenses to make this overseas sale. The only selling cost for this one-time order will be shipping cost of $2.20 per unit of T01. Calculate the minimum price per unit that TPL should charge for this order. Round your answer to the nearest cent. State any necessary assumption(s) you have to make. Ignore the marketing directors expansion plan from part (a) for this section.

(8 marks)

3. Suggest two (2) ways that TPL can increase its factory capacity without outsourcing.

(4 marks)

Part B

This part of the question should be answered independently of Part A.

TPL was just informed that due to a strike in its suppliers plant, the company is unable to purchase more direct material for the production of T01. The strike is expected to persist for 1 month. TPL currently has enough material on hand to operate at 20% of its normal production level for the coming month.

Alternatively, TPL can close its own manufacturing plant for the month. If TPLs plant is closed, fixed manufacturing overhead costs would continue at 50%, and fixed selling expenses would be reduced by 30% for the duration of closure.

4. Would you recommend that TPL close its plant for the month? Show the net impact on TPLs profit, using incremental analysis, to support your recommendation.

(8 marks)

5. An outside, competitor manufacturer heard about the strike and has offered to produce and ship directly to TPLs customers the shortfall in T01 for the coming month. The outside manufacturer will pay for shipping to TPLs customers, and hence, variable selling expenses incurred by TPL will be reduced to $0.20 per unit for the shortfall units. Based only on the financial information available, compute and explain the maximum unit price TPL should be willing to pay the outside manufacturer. Round your answer to the nearest cent.

(6 marks)

6. Provide two (2) qualitative factors that TPL should consider when deciding whether to outsource in part (e) above.

(4 marks)