Reference no: EM132659168

Carlos Cavalas, the manager of Echo Products' Brazilian Division, is trying to set the production schedule for the last quarter of the year. The Brazilian Division had planned to sell 69,190 units during the year, but by September 30 only the following activity had been reported:

Units

Inventory, January 1 0

Production 72,200

Sales 62,900

Inventory, September 30 9,300

• The division can rent warehouse space to store up to 29,900 units. The minimum inventory level that the division should carry is 1,000 units. Mr. Cavalas is aware that production must be at least 5,580 units per quarter in order to retain a nucleus of key employees. Maximum production capacity is 45,200 units per quarter.
• Demand has been soft, and the sales forecast for the last quarter is only 20,600 units. Due to the nature of the division's operations, fixed manufacturing overhead is a major element of product cost.

Required:

Problem 1a. Assume that the division is using variable costing. How many units should be scheduled for production during the last quarter of the year?

Problem 1b. Will the number of units scheduled for production affect the division's reported income or loss for the year?

Problem 2. Assume that the division is using absorption costing and that the divisional manager is given an annual bonus based on divisional operating income. If Mr. Cavalas wants to maximize his division's operating income for the year, how many units should be scheduled for production during the last quarter?