Break-even time, working backward. Montana Instruments is considering
manufacturing the S-Card, a new type of sound card for personal computers. The new
product development committee will not approve a new-product proposal if it has a
break-even time of more than four years. If the project is approved, the investments to
make the S-Card will begin on January 1, Year 1. The projected sales for the S-Card are
$5 million each year for Years 1 through 4. The costs of manufacturing, distribution,
marketing, and customer service are expected to be $3 million each year. Assume that
all cash flow numbers are discounted cash flows.
Required:
a. What is the maximum cash investment that the new product development committee
will agree to fund for the S-Card project?
b. Why might Montana specify a policy not to fund new product proposals with an
estimated breakeven of more than four years?
The theory of constraints identifies bottlenecks and possible disruption that threatens
throughput. When disruptions are hard to pinpoint or eliminate, managers may utilize
which of the following techniques?
A.quality control techniques from Total Quality Management.
B.quantity control techniques from Total Quantity Management.