Question

You are the manager of Compounders Ltd. The company mixes compound for smaller plastic
extrusion companies. Compounders Ltd has six (6) mixing machines with a maximum capacity
(100%) of 250 ton per month. However, due to power cuts, the machines are currently being
operated at 75% of installed capacity.

One (1) ton of a compound mixture consists of two (2) raw materials: 0.7 ton of Electrolyte and
0.3 ton of Copper Wire. Assume no wastage. There are no opening and closing inventories.
All raw materials purchased are being used in the month of purchase, and all compound mixed
are being sold in the month mixed.

Each mixing machine requires two (2) operators. The company is operating a nine (9) hour
shift   and   each   machine   operator   earns   R75   per   hour.   No   weekend   time   nor   overtime   is
allowed.

The   company   is   a   price   setter   and   the   pricing   policy   is   based   on   a   mark-up   of   the   total
production cost at 50%.

The company incurred the following costs for the month:

1.     Import (purchase) raw material for one month’s production. Material Electrolyte @ R60
       per ton and Copper Wire @ R95 per ton.
2.     The import costs amount to R1,000 per 250 ton of Material Electrolyte and R1,500 per
       R120 ton of Copper Wire.
3.     Paid the wages based on a twenty (20) working days.
4.     The factory foreman earns a salary of R15,000 per month.
5.     The cost of security is as follows: Guard at the entrance of the factory R3,500 per month
       and the guard at the entrance to the admin offices R3,750 per month.
6.     The    monthly   rental   amounts   to   R25,000.   Rent   is allocated   based   on   floor space
       occupied. The factory occupies 9,100 ??2 and the office block 3,900 ??2.
7.     Office expenses amounts to R64,000 per month.
8.     Compound delivery cost amount to R1,200 per 125 ton of compound delivered.

Required:

1.1    Calculate the selling price per ton of the compound mixture. Use the following table in
       your workings as marks will also be awarded for individual calculations
                                                                                        (Max 20 marks)

       No             Cost incurred               Production Cost:(R)               Period Cost: (R)

1.2    Calculate the variable cost per ton of the compound mixture and the total fixed cost.

Use    the   following   table in your workings   as   marks   will also   be   awarded   for individual
calculations.                                                                                           (6)

       No               Cost incurred                    Variable: (R)              Fixed Cost: (R)

1.3    Calculate the contribution per ton produced.                                                     (2)
1.4    Calculate the break-even tons to be mixed                                                        (2)

Answer 1

Current production = 250 ton *75% = 187.50ton

1 ton requires - .7 ton of electrolyte & .3 ton of copper wire

Hence, quantity of electrolyte required = 187.50*.7 =131.25 ton

Purchase cost of electrolyte = 131.25*60 = R7875

Import cost of electrolyte = 1000/250*131.25 = R525

Quantity of copper wire required = 56.25 ton

Purchase cost f copper wire = R5344

Import cost of copper wire = 1500/120*56.25 = R703

Operator costs = 6*2*9*75*20 = R162000

Hence, total Prodcution costs = R(7875+525+5344+703) = R14447

Factory foreman salary = R15000

Cost of security guard = R 7250

Rent = 25000*9100/13000= R17500

Office expenses = R64000

Delivery costs = 1200/125*187.50= R1800

Hence total costs = R281997

Hence the price = R422996

Hence price per ton = R2256 per ton

Note: The question has been sold assuming that the total production capacity of all 6 machines are 250ton @100% capacity.