A Firm Is About to Undertake the Manufacture of a Product

question 100

Essay

A firm is about to undertake the manufacture of a product, and is weighing the process configuration options. There are two intermittent processes under consideration, as well as a repetitive focus. The smaller intermittent process has fixed costs of $3,000 per month, and variable costs of $10 per unit. The larger intermittent process has fixed costs of $12,000 and variable costs of $2 per unit. A repetitive focus plant has fixed costs of $50,000 and variable costs of $1 per unit.
a. At what output does the large intermittent process become cheaper than the small one?
b. At what output does the repetitive process become cheaper than the larger intermittent process?

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Definitions:

Recoverable Amount

The higher value between an asset's fair market value less costs to sell and its value in use.

AASB 136

The Australian Accounting Standards Board standard that deals with impairment of assets, requiring assets to be carried at no more than their recoverable amount.

Value In Use

The present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from an asset, used in impairment testing.

Present Value

The present value of an amount of money or series of cash flows expected in the future, calculated using a particular interest rate.