Kaufmann Manufacturing Company Essay

If we assume that the 1991 products, prices, sales volumes, materials costs and overhead are unchanged from 1990 and that there are no process improvements that would lead to a reduction in the direct labor of a product, it can be inferred that the company’s profits would be identical to those of 1990, as stated in Appendix B. However, if the same is assumed

The company started off producing 20,000 units of mountain bikes. We did not change the production quantity. Last year our forecast sales were 24,000 when we only sold 19,866; therefore we thought it would be best to leave production at 20,000 bikes. Having excess inventory, we concluded that 20,000 units should be enough considering our quality has not changed and our advertising will not increase the sales dramatically. Although we had the choice to produce as much as 30,000 units, we felt as though we did not have sufficient money to increase production. We were interested in allocating the money towards marketing as opposed to production. We realized that without awareness, no matter how many units we make, sales would be inefficient.

Use of the flexible budget shows the budgeted operating income given the actual sales. When you compare the flexible budget to the actual budget you are able to compare the total sales and cost incurred given the same units sold. The sales price variance, which is the actual sales less the flexible budgeted sales, was $14,700 favorable. This means that actual sales were higher than budgeted sales at that usage. This is attributable to the increase in service price from $25 to $26.40. Price variance for material usage was $2,100 over the flexible budget projection. This could be attributed to overuse or waste of materials. As expected, the direct labor price variance was $3,375 lower than the flexible budget amount. This is attributed to the manager’s effective use of labor. Operating expenses were also higher than the flexible budget

If the company decided to sell the new product at price of D.Cr. 8.20, that means the full fixed expense of 1.20 is covered and the company will make high profit. However, the selling price of D.Cr. 8.20 is very high and under this price the company will sell the new product at a lower volume than what the company planned sale volume in the budget and that will affect the company in the market as a strong competitor in the food manufacturing. According to the case, the company sales volume drop to 30 tons when the product was sold at the price of D.Cr. 8.2. Thus, my recommendation are as follows:

When manifold line was dropped, the situation of 1991 in comparation to 1990 was similar to the situation of 1988 in comparation to 1989. Assume that the change of the overhead per the change of labor cost of 1988 and 1989 was the situation of 1990 and 1991 and was not changed equal to 2.7 (see table 5). Assume that the direct labor cost of 1991 for the product dropped manifolds was the direct labor cost of that product in 1990 (see table 5). The total direct material of 1991 was $33,821 (see table 6), the direct labor was $7,562; the total overhead was $61,741 and the rate of overhead per direct labor was 816% (see table 5).

Although the company did show an increased gross profit of $8,255,000 with $6,358,000 less Net Sales in 2013 versus 2012, that increase is due to the reduction in product Cost of Goods Sold by $14,613,000. Since increases in product price will negatively affect sales, one of management’s primary goals is to keep prices stable. This objective is achieved through implementation of cost cutting programs, investing in more efficient equipment, and automation of more steps in the production process.

Another concern identified, is the utilities expense budget for utilities in Year 9 which is $150,000. This amount is identified as a fixed amount and is unrelated to actually production activities and manufacturing efficiency. Considering that production levels and activity fluctuates throughout the year, the budget for utilities should be a variable item. An example; from Year 7 to Year 8, the utilities expenses increase by $15,000 and with this detection, ways to reduce this expense should be investigate. Another concern is a duplicated line item under the Selling, General, and Administrative Budget for Utilities and Utilities and Services. Another issue for concern, Total Variable Cost was reported to be lower; however was not enough for the lack of sales combined with an increase in advertising and transportation which resulted in an overall negative result. The low Net Sales directly impacted the Contribution Margin which decreased by $49,397. Overall, these concerns indicate the need for a flexible budget with variance analysis.

This was favorable, but the Efficiency Variable was 100,000 unfavorable. This suggest that Competition Bike received a great price, but with the unfavorable Efficiency there were a lot of left over materials suggesting the material might not be the best quality. Direct Labor had a 150,000 Unfavorable Variance, but had a 50,000 favorable Efficiency Variance. The labor cost was up due to the high skill level needed for the bike manufacturing. The 50,000 favorable Efficiency Variance enabled the high skill labor to perform the task very efficiently. The Manufacturing Overhead had a 24,000 unfavorable Price Variance, and a 2426 unfavorable Efficiency Variance. The Advertising Cost had a 5,000 unfavorable Price Variance and a 1246 favorable Efficiency Variance. This suggest that Competition Bike spent more on Advertising in order to boost lagging sales, and the favorable Efficiency Variance shows that even though more was spent than budgeted, the money spent was efficient and worth the increase. The Transportation Out had a 3207 unfavorable Price Variance and a 2400 unfavorable Efficiency Variance. This suggest that Transportation cost were up due to increased fuel cost, and this increase in cost resulted in unfavorable Efficiency Variance due to transporting fewer bikes with increase in fuel cost.

Ford Motor Company is America's one of the largest car manufacturer and seller. In year 1987 it faces an external business environment change in the form of new warranty policy announcement by its major competitors General Motor, which changes the current philosophy of warranty in U.S car market. This policy change may have implications not only on Ford’s sales and market share but also on various departments within organization (such as manufacturing, quality assurance, parts and service, and extended service plans) and their dealer network. In answer, Ford executives have to respond through a best suitable course of action by carefully analyzing the current market variables.

For years 1983-1985, additional corporate assessment expense was given. This would lower Polymold’s earnings on their income statement. Another piece of data that was given is research and development expense. Without the CAD/CAM investment, research and development expense is $130,000. This is double to $260,000 without the CAD/CAM investment. This would lower earnings. We are also given the savings that the investment would yield. Without the CAD/CAM investment, there would still be savings – but not as much as with the CAD/CAM investment, which is due to the depreciation of the equipment and tax credits.

In the case of Mendel Paper Company which produces four basic paper products lines at one of its plants: computer paper, napkins, place mats, and poster board. Although the plant superintendent, Marlene Herbert is pleases with increased sales he is also concerned about the costs. The superintendent is concerned with the high fixed cost of production, the increases in fixed overhead and even variable overhead. He feels that the production of place mat should be discontinued. His reason for the discontinuation is that the special printing is driving up the variable overhead to the point where the company may not find it profitable to continue with the line. After reviewing the future predictions of the

Harnischfeger’s corporate recovery plan was a four pronged approach that involved (1) changes in top management, (2) cost reductions to lower the break-even point, (3) reorientation of the company’s business and (4) debt restructuring and recapitalization. These changes at first glance appear to have allowed Harnischfeger to improve its financial performance from a net loss of $3.49 per share in 1983 to a net gain of $1.28 per share in 1984. In addition, Harnischfeger has appeared to have achieved a majority of its desired outcomes from each of its four changes as shown below.

1. Analyze the economic rationale of the Carborundum acquisition. Under what conditions an acquisition would be expected to add to shareholder value in general? Do any of these reasons apply to Carborundum acquisition?

Profitability (performance) ratios are used to assess a company’s ability to create equity as compared to its debt and other appropriate expenses created during a particular time frame. A favorable analysis of profitability ratios will reveal that a company’s value is higher than a competitor’s value.

Based on the given information in the case study regarding the acquisition of Nicholson File Company by Cooper Industries, there is no question that Cooper should try to gain control of Nicholson. This decision is based on an analysis of the bargaining positions of each group of Nicholson stockholders which have disparate goals and needs that need to be met. In addition, an appropriate payment method and specific dollar value based on a competitor's offer and Cooper financial data was decided. The remainder of this paper will provide the analysis and rationale for this determination.