5. Refer to the original data. By automating, the company could reduce variable expenses by $3 per unit. However, fixed expenses would increase by $57,000 each month. a. Compute the new CM ratio and the new break-even point in unit sales and dollar sales. b. Assume that the company expects to sell 20,800 units next month. Prepare two contribution format income statements, one assuming that operations are not automated and one assuming that they are. (Show data on a per unit and percentage basis, as well as in total, for each alternative.) c. Would you recommend that the company automate its operations (Assuming that the company expects to sell 20,800)

Question Completion:

Due to erratic sales of its sole product - a high capacity battery for laptop computers - PEM, Inc., has been experiencing difficulties for some time.  The contribution format income statement for the most recent month is given as follows:

Sales (19,500 units at $30 per unit) $585,000

Variable expenses                              409,500

Contribution margin                             175,500

Fixed expenses                                    180,000

Net operating margin                           ($4,500)

PEM, Inc.

a1) New CM ratio = 40%

a2) Break-even point in unit sales and dollars sales

i) Break-even point in unit sales = Fixed Expenses/Contribution per unit

= $237,000/$12

= 19,750 units

ii) Break-even point in dollars sales = Fixed Expenses/Contribution margin ratio

= $237,000/0.4

= $592,500

b. Contribution format income statements, based on sales of 20,800 units:

                                                             Without                With

                                                         Automation         Automation

Sales (20,800 units at $30 per unit) $624,000    $624,000 (20,800 * $30)

Variable expenses (20,800 at $21)     436,800       374,400 (20,800 * $18)

Contribution margin (20,800 * $9)      187,200       249,600 (20,800 * $12)

Fixed expenses                                    180,000       237,000

Net operating margin                            $7,200       $12,600

c) I would recommend that the company should automate its operations.  It will generate more net operating margin, equal to $5,400 ($12,600 - $7,200), when it automates than when it does not, assuming that it expects to sell 20,800 units.  

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Variable expenses reduction = $3 per unit

Old variable expenses per unit = $21 ($409,500/19,500)

New variable expenses per unit = $18 ($21 - $3)

New variable expenses = $351,000 ($18 * 19,500)

New Contribution Margin per unit = $12 ($30 - $18)

New Contribution margin ratio = $12/$30 * 100 = 0.4 or 40%

Old Fixed Expenses = $180,000

New Fixed Expenses = $237,000 ($180,000 + $57,000)

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