In: Finance
Drake, Inc. manufactures electric welders that it sells to other manufacturers, and sales last year were $45 million. Drake has a 35% contribution margin. The marketing manager has suggested increasing the number of sales representatives by five, which would cause fixed costs to increase by $250,000. Another suggestion is to reduce price by 10%. What incremental dollar volume would be necessary to break even on the suggestion to hire five additional sales reps? What absolute increase in dollar sales volume would be necessary to maintain Drake’s current contribution if price was reduced by 10%? Which suggestion do you think Drake should implement? Explain your recommendation
1- | ||
sales | 45 | |
v.cost | 45*(1-.35) | 29.25 |
contribution margin | 15.75 | |
contribution margin ratio = contribution/sales | 15.75/45 | 0.35 |
incremental sales to recover the fixed cost of 5 new sales representatives | .25/35% | 0.71 |
new level of sales to recover fixed cost | 45+.71 | 45.71 |
2- | ||
sales | 45*(1-.1) | 40.5 |
variable cost | as of before | 29.25 |
new contribution margin | 11.25 | |
new contribution margin ratio = contribution/sales | 27.78% | |
total contribution margin required as before | 15.75 | |
new level of sales = contributin margin/new contribution margin ratio | 15.75/27.78% | 56.70 |
absolute increase in sales | 56.70-45 | 11.7 |
3- | ||
Dark should implement employment of additional sales representatives because this fixed cost can be recovered by additional sales of .71 million while if prices are reduced by 10% then additional sales of 11.7 million would be made additional to maintain the present level of contribution margin |