The Walton Toy Company manufactures a line of dolls and a sewing kit. Demand for the companys products is increasing, and management requests assistance from you in determining an economical sales and production mix for the coming year. The company has provided the following data:

Product	Demand Next year (units)	Selling Price per Unit		Direct Materials		Direct Labor
Debbie	61,000	$	20.00	$	5.40	$	3.60
Trish	53,000	$	6.50	$	2.20	$	1.44
Sarah	46,000	$	33.50	$	8.09	$	6.30
Mike	44,400	$	14.00	$	3.10	$	4.50
Sewing kit	336,000	$	9.10	$	4.30	$	0.99

The following additional information is available:

The companys plant has a capacity of 113,140 direct labor-hours per year on a single-shift basis. The companys present employees and equipment can produce all five products.

The direct labor rate of $9 per hour is expected to remain unchanged during the coming year.

Fixed manufacturing costs total $630,000 per year. Variable overhead costs are $2 per direct labor-hour.

All of the companys nonmanufacturing costs are fixed.

The companys finished goods inventory is negligible and can be ignored.

Required?

Assuming that the company has made optimal use of its 113,140 direct labor-hours, what is the highest direct labor rate per hour that Walton Toy Company would be willing to pay for additional capacity (that is, for added direct labor time)?