A Manager Must Decide Between Two Location Alternatives, Boston and Chicago

question 42

Essay

A manager must decide between two location alternatives, Boston and Chicago. Boston would have annual fixed costs of $70,000, transportation costs of $60 per unit, and labor and material costs of $200 per unit. Chicago would have annual fixed costs of $90,000, transportation costs of $40 per unit, and labor and material costs of $170 per unit. Revenue will be $300 per unit.
(A) Which alternative would yield the higher profit for an annual demand of 3,000 units?
(B) Would the two locations yield the same profit at a certain volume? If so, at what volume would that be?

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Definitions:

Work In Process Inventory

Items or goods in the production process but not yet completed; a stage between raw materials and finished goods.

Predetermined Rate

A rate established before the performance or production process begins, often used in costing to estimate or allocate costs.

Manufacturing Overhead

All manufacturing costs that are not directly related to the production of goods, including costs associated with running the factory such as utilities, maintenance, and factory equipment.

Predetermined Overhead Rate

A predetermined overhead rate is calculated by dividing estimated overhead costs by an allocation base, such as direct labor hours, used to allocate overhead costs to products or job orders.