Due to erratic sales of its sole product - a high-capacity battery for laptop computers - PEN, Inc., has been experiencing financial difficulty for some time.  The company's contribution format income statement for the most recent month is given below: Sales (19,500 units x $30 per unit) $585,000 Variable expenses 409,500 Contribution margin $175,500 Fixed expenses 180,000 Net operating loss <$4,500> Refer to the original data.  By automating, the company could reduce variable expenses by $3 per unit.  However, fixed expenses would increase by $72,000 each month.      a) Compute the new CM ratio and the new break-even point in unit sales and dollar sales.      b) Assume the the company expects to sell 26,000 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?  Explain.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
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ISBN:9781259964947
Author:Libby
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Chapter1: Financial Statements And Business Decisions
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Due to erratic sales of its sole product - a high-capacity battery for laptop computers - PEN, Inc., has been experiencing financial difficulty for some time.  The company's contribution format income statement for the most recent month is given below:

Sales (19,500 units x $30 per unit) $585,000
Variable expenses 409,500
Contribution margin $175,500
Fixed expenses 180,000
Net operating loss <$4,500>
  1. Refer to the original data.  By automating, the company could reduce variable expenses by $3 per unit.  However, fixed expenses would increase by $72,000 each month.

     a) Compute the new CM ratio and the new break-even point in unit sales and dollar sales.

     b) Assume the the company expects to sell 26,000 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?  Explain.

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