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111. Almo Company manufactures and sells adjustable canopies that attach to motor homes
and trailers. The market covers both new unit purchases as well as replacement canopies. Almo
developed its 2013 business plan based on the assumption that canopies would sell at a price of
$400 each. The variable costs for each canopy were projected to be $200, and the annual fixed
costs were budgeted at $100,000. The goal for Almo’s after-tax operating profits was $240,000;
the company’s effective tax rate is 40%
While Almo’s sales usually rise during the second quarter, the May financial statements reported
that sales were not meeting expectations. For the first five months of 2013, only 350 units had
been sold at the established price, with variable costs as planned. It was clear that the 2013
after-tax operating profit goal would not be reached unless some corrective actions were taken.
Almo’s president assigned a management committee to analyze the situation and develop several
alternative courses of action. The following mutually exclusive alternatives were presented to the
president:
(1) Reduce the sales price by $40. The sales department predicts that with the significantly
reduced price, 2,700 units can be sold during the remainder of 2013. Total fixed and variable unit
costs will stay as budgeted.
(2) Lower variable costs per unit by $25 through the use of less expensive materials and lightly
modified manufacturing techniques. The sales price will also be reduced by $30. These changes
will yield sales of 2,200 for the remainder of 2013.
(3) Cut fixed costs by $10,000 and lower the sales price by 5%. Variable costs per unit will be
unchanged. Sales of 2,000 units can be expected for the remainder of 2013.
Required:
(a) If no changes are made to the selling price or cost structure, determine the number of units
that Almo must sell in order to break even.
(b) If no changes are made to the selling price or cost structure, determine the number of units
that Almo must sell in order to achieve its after-tax operating profit objective.
(c) Determine which one of the alternatives Almo should select to achieve its after-tax operating
profit objective. Be sure to support your selection with appropriate computations.