Question

Fremont Computer Company has been purchasing carrying cases for its portable computers at a purchase price of $89 per unit. The company, which is currently operating below full capacity, charges factory overhead to production at the rate of 60% of direct labor cost. The unit costs to produce comparable carrying cases are expected to be as follows:

Direct materials $16
Direct labor 20
Factory overhead (25% of direct labor) 5
Total cost per unit $41

If Fremont Computer Company manufactures the carrying cases, fixed factory overhead costs will not increase and variable factory overhead costs associated with the cases are expected to be 5% of the direct labor costs.

Required:
a. Prepare a differential analysis dated September 30 to determine whether the company should make (Alternative 1) or buy (Alternative 2) the carrying case.
b. Assuming there were no better alternative uses for the spare capacity, it would ______________ to manufacture the carrying cases. Fixed factory overhead is________to this decision.

Answer 1

A.Total cost 41 93 (52)

B. It would be much better to manufacture the carrying cases .

While Fixed factory overhead is less important to this decision.

Step-by-step explanation:

Fremont Computer Company Differential Analysis

Make Alternative 1: Buy Alternative 2:

Differential effect on net income

Alternative 1 : Alternative 2: Differential effect

Purchase Price - 89 (89)

Direct material 16 - 16

Direct labor 20 - 20

Variable 1 - 1

manufacture overhead (20×5%)

Fixed (5-1) 4 4 -

manufacture overhead

Total cost 41 93 (52)

The Company should choose Alternative 1

which is Make carrying case

B. It would be much better to manufacture the carrying cases.

While Fixed factory overhead is less important to this decision.

Therefore in make or buy decision the selling price of the product will be less important because the selling price was not provided which means it does not have effect on the decision of buy or make.