Assignment 10, Economics 103

Spring 2000, Chico State University

Assignment 10, ECON 103 Problem 1
Crazy Vans, Inc., has the opportunity to expand its product line by introducing "Dreamochine" (at a price of $1, 140) or "Steadyeddy" (at a price of $470), an economy product-line kit. Production of each Dreamochine kit would require 60 hours of labor and $350 in materials. The figures for Steadyeddy would be 30 hours and $100 in materials. Energy, supervisory, and other variable costs would be $50 for each unit of each type of good produced. Unskilled labor is $4 in this south of the border plant. Allocated overhead is $100 for Dreamochine and $50 for Steadyeddy at a projected production of 2,000 each. (Hint: Variable overhead is a variable cost; allocated overhead is a fixed cost.)

  1. What the break-even level of output for each product?
  2. What is the DOL for each product?
  3. How do you interpret your answer for part b?

 

Problem 2
Appalachia Beverage Co., Inc, is considering expanding into the Mid-West. Alternative 1: Construct a single plant in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a monthly production capacity of 300,000 cases, a monthly fixed cost of $262,500, and a variable cost of $3.25 per case. Alternative 2: Construct 3 plants, one each in Muncie, Indiana, Normal, Illinois, and Dayton Ohio, with capacities of 120,000, 100,000, and 80,000, respectively, and monthly fixed costs of $120,000, $110,000, and $95,000. Lower distribution costs will result in a lower variable cost of $3 per case. Sales of each smaller plant will be limited to demand within the home state. Total demand of 200,000 is distributed as follows: 80,000 in Indiana, 70,000 in Illinois, and 50 ,000 in Ohio.
  1. If the wholesale price is $5 per case, what is BEQ?
  2. If sales are as projected, which alternative is more profitable?
  3. If sales reach capacity, which is more profitable?

    Answer the above problems using Excel and e-mail the spreadsheet to: shockley@rocko.csuchico.edu
    as attachments before 5 p. m. Thursday (4/13/00).