1. Ch 5(B) : Capacity Planning: Break-Even Analysis
Operation costs are divided into 2 main groups:
Fixed costs
Variable costs

2. Fixed Costs
Include rent, property tax, property insurance, wages of permanent employees, depreciation (except in working hour depreciation).
The total fixed cost is fixed throughout the year.
It does not depend on the production level.
When we have a plant, then the above costs are fixed, no matter if we produce one unit or one million units.

3. Total Fixed Cost and Fixed Cost per Unit of Product
(F/Q)
Production volume (Q)
Production volume (Q)

4. Variable Costs
Costs of raw material, packaging material, direct labor, production W&P are the main variable costs.
Variable cost is fixed per unit of production.
The total variable costs depend on the volume of production.
The higher the production level, the higher the total variable costs.

5. Variable Cost per Unit and Total Variable Costs
Per unit of product
Total Variable costs
(VQ)
(V)
Production volume (Q)
Production volume (Q)

6. Total Costs Amount ($) Total cost = F+VQ Total variable cost (VQ)
Total Fixed cost (F)
Q (volume in units)

7. Total Revenue It is assumed that the price of the product is fixed,
and we sell whatever we produce.
Total sales revenue depends on the production level. The higher the production, the higher the total sales revenue.

8. Break-Even Point Total revenue Profit Amount ($) Total cost Loss
BEP units
Q (volume in units)

9. Break-Even Computations

10. Example
$500,000 total yearly fixed costs.
$150 per unit variable costs
$200 per unit sale price
QBEP=500,000/( ) =10,000 units
If our market research indicates that the present demand is > 10,000, then this manufacturing system is economically feasible.

11. BEA for Multiple Alternatives
Break-even analysis for multiple alternatives:
Such an analysis is implemented to compare cases such as
A Simple technology
An Intermediate technology
An Advanced technology
General purpose machines
Multi-purpose machines
Special purpose machines
Low F high V
In between
High F Low V
In general, when we move from a simple technology to an advanced technology; F  V

12. BEA for Multiple Alternatives
CIM
CNCs
Universal Q1 Q2

13. BEA for Multiple Alternatives
I can buy
1) A General Purpose machine
Total Fixed Cost F = $10,000,
Variable cost V = $10 per unit
2) A Multi Purpose machine
Total Fixed Cost F = $60,000,
Variable cost V = $5 per unit
3) A Single Purpose machine
Total Fixed Cost F = $150,000,
Variable cost V = $2 per unit
Tell me what to do: In terms of the range of demand and the preferred choice…

14. BEA for Alternatives (1) and (2)Q 1

15. Break-Even for Alternatives (1) and (2)
F1= V1=10
F2= V2=5
Break-even of 1 and 2
F1+ V1 Q = F2+ V2 Q
Q = Q
Q =

16. BEA for Alternatives (2) and (3)Q 2

17. Break-Even for Alternatives (2) and (3)
F2= V2=5
F3= V3=2
Break-even of 2 and 3
F2+ V2 Q = F3+ V3 Q
Q = Q
Q =

18. Recommendations to Management and Marketing
Demand Recommended Alternative
D < Alternative 1
10000 < D < Alternative 2
30000 < D Alternative 3
We also need to know Price and Revenue!

19. Assignment 3: Problem 1
A firm plans to begin production of a new small appliance.
Management should decide whether to make the small engine
for this product in-plant, or buy it from an outside source.
If management decides to make the engine, then there are 2
alternatives:
(1) Built it with a simple manufacturing system Fixed Cost: $10,000/year Variable Cost: $8 per unit
(2) Built it with an advanced manufacturing system. Fixed Cost: $30,000/year Variable Cost: $5 per unit
The purchase price of the engine is $10 per unit.

20. BEP for the Three Alternatives and Recommendations
Prepare a table similar to the following table, to summarize your recommendations.
Demand Recommendation
Q <= ? ?
? < Q < = ? ?
? < Q ?

21. Assignment 3: Problem 2
A manager has the option of purchasing 1, 2 or 3 machines.
The capacity of each machine is 300 units.
Fixed costs are as follows:
Number of Machines Fixed cost Total Capacity
$9,
2 $15,
3 $20,
Variable cost is $10 per unit, and the sales price of product is $40 per unit.
Tell management what to do!

22. BEP for the Three Alternatives and Recommendations
Prepare an executive summary similar the following:
Q<= ?  ?
?<Q<=?  ?
Q>?  ?
Now it is up to the Marketing Department to provide an Executive Summary regarding the demand.

23. Assignment 3: Problem 3
You are the production manager and are given the option to purchase either 1, 2 or 3 machines. Each machine has a capacity of 500 units. Fixed costs are as follows:
Number of Machines Fixed cost Total Capacity
1 $19,
2 $30,
3 $40,
Variable cost is $35 per unit, and the sales price of product is $69 per unit.
Determine the best option!

24. BEP for the Three Alternatives and Recommendations
Prepare an executive summary similar the following:
Q<= ?  ?
?<Q<=?  ?
Q>?  ?