Maximizing Profit in Coat Manufacturing Industry

What factors should a coat manufacturer consider when deciding between building a large factory or a small factory?

Determining Payoffs for Small Factory Production

To determine the payoffs for the possible levels of production for a small factory, we need to calculate the profit for each level of demand and subtract the cost of production.

The profit per coat is $12. The small factory has a production capacity of 60,000 coats per year and a cost of $200,000.

For a demand of 30,000 coats per year:
Profit = ($12) x (30,000) - ($200,000) = $360,000 - $200,000 = $160,000

For a demand of 50,000 coats per year:
Profit = ($12) x (50,000) - ($200,000) = $600,000 - $200,000 = $400,000

For a demand of 60,000 coats per year:
Profit = ($12) x (60,000) - ($200,000) = $720,000 - $200,000 = $520,000

For a demand of 120,000 coats per year:
Profit = ($12) x (60,000) - ($200,000) = $1,440,000 - $200,000 = $1,240,000

The payoffs for the possible levels of production for a small factory are as follows:

  • Demand of 30,000 coats per year: $160,000
  • Demand of 50,000 coats per year: $400,000
  • Demand of 60,000 coats per year: $520,000
  • Demand of 120,000 coats per year: $1,240,000

Determining Payoffs for Large Factory Production

To determine the payoffs for the possible levels of production for a large factory, we use the same profit per coat of $12. The large factory has a production capacity of 120,000 coats per year and a cost of $450,000.

For a demand of 30,000 coats per year:
Profit = ($12) x (30,000) - ($450,000) = $360,000 - $450,000 = -$90,000 (negative value indicates a loss)

For a demand of 50,000 coats per year:
Profit = ($12) x (50,000) - ($450,000) = $600,000 - $450,000 = $150,000

For a demand of 60,000 coats per year:
Profit = ($12) x (60,000) - ($450,000) = $720,000 - $450,000 = $270,000

For a demand of 120,000 coats per year:
Profit = ($12) x (120,000) - ($450,000) = $1,440,000 - $450,000 = $990,000

The payoffs for the possible levels of production for a large factory are as follows:

  • Demand of 30,000 coats per year: -$90,000
  • Demand of 50,000 coats per year: $150,000
  • Demand of 60,000 coats per year: $270,000
  • Demand of 120,000 coats per year: $990,000

Constructing Payoff Table

Based on the results of (a) and (b), we can construct a payoff table to indicate the events and alternative courses of action.

Event 1 Event 2 Event 3 Event 4
Action A $160,000 $400,000 $520,000 $1,240,000
Action B -$90,000 $150,000 $270,000 $990,000

Constructing Opportunity Loss Table

Based on the payoff table, we can construct an opportunity loss table to determine the opportunity loss for each event and action.

Event 1 Event 2 Event 3 Event 4
Action A $0 $0 $0 $0
Action B $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000

The opportunity loss table compares the potential losses between building a small factory (Action A) and a large factory (Action B) based on different demand scenarios. It helps in making an informed decision regarding the size of the factory to maximize profits.

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