Make-or-Buy Decision: Zion Manufacturing had always made itscomponents in-house. However, Bryce Component Works had recentlyoffered to supply one component, K2, at a price of $28 each. Zionuses 12,500 units of Component K2 each year. The cost per unit ofthis component is as follows:
Direct materials | $12.00 |
Direct labor | 8.25 |
Variable overhead | 4.50 |
Fixed overhead | 6.00 |
Total | $30.75 |
Assume that 75% of Zion Manufacturing's fixed overhead forComponent K2 would be eliminated if that component were no longerproduced.
Required:
1. CONCEPTUAL CONNECTION: If Zion decides topurchase the component from Bryce, by how much will operatingincome increase or decrease?
Which alternative is better?
Purchase the component from Bryce
2. CONCEPTUAL CONNECTION: Briefly explain howincreasing or decreasing the 75% figure affects Zionās finaldecision to make or purchase the component.
As the percentage of avoidable fixed cost increases (above 75%),total relevant costs of making the component increase, causing theāpurchaseā decision to be moreĀ Ā financially appealing(compared to the āmakeā option) than it was when the percentage was75%. In other words, as the percentage increases, differencebetween the āpurchaseā and āmakeā options increases resulting inthe āpurchaseā decision being even moreĀ Ā attractive.Alternatively, as the percentage of avoidable fixed costsdecreases, the āmakeā option eventually isequallyĀ Ā costly and as equally appealing financially asthe āpurchaseā option. Finally, as the percentage of avoidablefixed cost decreases low enough and the total relevant costs ofmaking the component decrease, the āmakeāĀ Ā option becomesthe more financially appealing option
3. CONCEPTUAL CONNECTION: By how much would theper-unit relevant fixed cost have to decrease before Zion would beindifferent (i.e., incur the same cost) between āmakingā versusāpurchasingā the component? If necessary, round your answer to twodecimal places.
%