Tom's Toolery is operating at 80% of its productive capacity. It is currently paying $20 per unit for a part used in its manufacturing operation. Tom's estimates it could make the part internally for a total cost of $24 per unit, consisting of $18 of unit-level production costs and $6 of facility-level costs that are currently attributed to other products. Tom's usually purchases 50,000 units of the part each year. These units could be manufactured using Tom's excess capacity. What is the effect on cost if the company decides to start making the part?

Tom's Toolery is operating at 80% of its productive capacity. It is currently paying $20 per unit for a part used in its manufacturing operation. Tom's estimates it could make the part internally for a total cost of $24 per unit, consisting of $18 of unit-level production costs and $6 of facility-level costs that are currently attributed to other products. Tom's usually purchases 50,000 units of the part each year. These units could be manufactured using Tom's excess capacity. What is the effect on cost if the company decides to start making the part?

Explanation

Cost to purchase	$	20
Relevant cost to make*		18
Decrease in cost per unit	$	2

*The facility-level costs are incurred regardless of whether the part is purchased or made. Since these costs cannot be avoided by selecting one alternative over the other, they are not relevant to the decision.


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