Question

Contribution Income Statement and Operating Leverage
Florida Berry Basket harvests early-season strawberries for shipment throughout the eastern United States in March. The strawberry farm is maintained by a permanent staff of 10 employees and seasonal workers who pick and pack the strawberries. The strawberries are sold in crates containing 100 individually packaged one-quart containers. Affixed to each one-quart container is the distinctive Florida Berry Basket logo inviting buyers to "Enjoy the berry best strawberries in the world!" The selling price is $100 per crate, variable costs are $85 per crate, and fixed costs are $275,000 per year. In the year 2013, Florida Berry Basket sold 50,000 crates.

(a) Prepare a contribution income statement for the year ended December 31, 2013. HINT: Use a negative sign with both "costs" answers.

FLORIDA BERRY BASKET Income Statement For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
Sales
Variable costs
Contribution margin
Fixed costs
Net income

(b) Determine the company's 2013 operating leverage. (Round your answer to two decimal places.)
Answer

(c) Calculate the percentage change in profits if sales decrease by 10 percent. (Round your answer to one decimal place.)
Answer

% decrease

(d) Management is considering the purchase of several berry-picking machines. This will increase annual fixed costs to $375,000 and reduce variable costs to $81.50 per crate. Calculate the effect of this acquisition on operating leverage and explain any change. (Round your answers two decimal places.)
Answer

The acquisition of the berry-picking machines will decrease variable costs, thereby increasing the contribution margin. It will also increase fixed costs, thereby increasing the difference between the contribution margin and net income. The net effect would be an increase in operating leverage.

The acquisition of the berry-picking machines will increase variable costs, thereby increasing the contribution margin. It will also increase fixed costs, thereby decreasing the difference between the contribution margin and net income. The net effect would be an increase in operating leverage.

The acquisition of the berry-picking machines will increase variable costs, thereby increasing the contribution margin. It will also decrease fixed costs, thereby decreasing the difference between the contribution margin and net income. The net effect would be a decrease in operating leverage.

The acquisition of the berry-picking machines will reduce variable costs, thereby increasing the contribution margin. It will also reduce fixed costs, thereby increasing the difference between the contribution margin and net income. The net effect would be a decrease in operating leverage.

Answer 1

FLORIDA BERRY BASKET
Income Statement
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
Sales	5000000
Variable costs	-4250000
Contribution margin	750000
Fixed costs	-275000
Net income	475000
Operating leverage = Contribution margin/Operating Income
1.578947
% decrease in profits = Degree of operating leverage*% change in sales
15.78947	% decrease

The acquisition of the berry-picking machines will increase variable costs, thereby increasing the contribution margin. It will also increase fixed costs, thereby decreasing the difference between the contribution margin and net income. The net effect would be an increase in operating leverage.