An engineering firm measures its output in standard service hours (SSH) per unit, which is a function of the skill levels of its engineers (skill levels range from an engineering intern to an engineering scientist). The variable cost is $60 per SSH and the fixed cost is $2,000,000 per year. The firm charges $100 for each service per hour. Assume the maximum hours the firm operates (that is the output) is 170,000 per year. a) Compute the break-even point in SSH. b) At what percentage does the break-even occur as compared to the maximum hours the firm operates? c) What is the percentage reduction in the break-even point if the fixed cost can be reduced by 20%? d) Does the break-even point increase or decrease if the charges per service are increased by 10%? e) What is your recommendation? Should the firm reduce the fixed cost or increase the price?

Exercise 18-15 sheffield appliance center is an experienced home appliance dealer. sheffield appliance center also offers a number of services for the home appliances that it sells. assume that sheffield appliance center sells ovens on a standalone basis. sheffield appliance center also sells installation services and maintenance services for ovens. however, sheffield appliance center does not offer installation or maintenance services to customers who buy ovens from other vendors. pricing for ovens is as follows. oven only $790 oven with installation service 850 oven with maintenance services 970 oven with installation and maintenance services 990 in each instance in which maintenance services are provided, the maintenance service is separately priced within the arrangement at $180. additionally, the incremental amount charged by sheffield appliance center for installation approximates the amount charged by independent third parties. ovens are sold subject to a general right of return. if a customer purchases an oven with installation and/or maintenance services, in the event sheffield appliance center does not complete the service satisfactorily, the customer is only entitled to a refund of the portion of the fee that exceeds $790. assume that a customer purchases an oven with both installation and maintenance services for $990. (b) indicate the amount of revenue that should be allocated to the oven, the installation, and to the maintenance contract.