Jamie Kincade was supervisor of an assembly department in Chelsea Electronics Company. In recent weeks, Kincade had become convinced that a certain component, number J-42, could be produced more efficiently if certain changes were made in assembly methods. Kincade had described this proposal to the company’s industrial engineer, but the engineer had quickly dismissed Kincade’s ideas- mainly, Kincade thought, because the engineer had not thought of them first.

Kincade had frequently thought of starting a business and felt that the ability to produce the J-42 component at a lower cost might provide this opportunity. Chelsea’s purchasing agent assured Kincade that Chelsea would be willing to buy J-42s from Kincade if the price were 10-15 percent below Chelsea’s current cost of $2.97 per unit. Working at home, Kincade experimented with the new methods, which were based on the use of a new fixture to aid in assembling each J-42. This experimentation seemed successful, so Kincade proceeded to prepare some estimates for large-scale J-42 production. Kincade determined the following:

1. A local toolmaker would make the new fixtures for a price of $900 each. One fixture would be needed for each assembly worker.
2. Assembly workers were readily available, on either a full-time or part-time basis, at a wage of $6.75 per hour. Kincade felt that another 20 percent of wages would be necessary for fringe benefits. Kincade estimated that on the average (including rest breaks), a worker could assemble, test, and pack 15 units of the J-42 per hour.
3. Purchased components for the J-42 should cost about $1.53 per unit over the next year. Shipping supplies and delivery costs would amount to approximately $0.09 per unit.
4. Suitable space was available for assembly operations at a rental of $1,080 per month. A 12-month lease was required.
5. Assembly tables, stools, and other necessary equipment would cost about $540 per assembly worker. . . .

Assignment

1. What are Kincade’s expected variable costs per unit? Fixed costs per month? What would the total costs per year of Kincade’s business be if volume were 400,000 units? 450,000 units? 525,000 units? (Limit yourself to cash costs; ignore depreciation of fixtures and equipment. Also, disregard any interest costs Kincade might incur on borrowed funds.)
2. What is the average cost per unit of J-42 at each of these three volumes?
3. Re-answer Questions 1 and 2 assuming that (1) Kincade wanted to guarantee assembly workers 2,000 hours of pay per year; (2) enough workers would be hired to assemble 450,000 units a year; (3) these workers could work overtime at a cost (including fringes) of $12.15 per hour; and (4) no additional fixed costs would be incurred if overtime were needed. (Do not use these assumptions for Question 4.)
4. Re-answer Questions 1 and 2, now including depreciation as an expense. Assume the fixtures and other equipment have a useful life of six years, and that straight-line depreciation will be used.
5. Do you think Jamie Kincade should resign from Chelsea Electronics and establish the proposed enterprise?