In the past, Taylor Industries has used a fixed−time period inventory system that involved taking a complete inventory count of all items each month. However, increasing labor costs are forcing Taylor Industries to examine alternative ways to reduce the amount of labor involved in inventory stockrooms, yet without increasing other costs, such as shortage costs. Here is a random sample of 20 of Taylor's items. ITEM NUMBER ANNUAL USAGE ITEM NUMBER ANNUAL USAGE
1 $ 1,500 11 $ 13,000
2 12,000 12 600
3 2,200 13 42,000
4 50,000 14 9,900
5 9,600 15 1,200
6 750 16 10,200
7 2,000 17 4,000
8 11,000 18 61,000
9 800 19 3,500
10 15,000 20 2,900
a. What would you recommend Taylor do to cut back its labor cost? (Illustrate using an ABC plan.)
b. Item 15 is critical to continued operations. How would you recommend it beclassified?

a) Taylor Industries can successfully cut back its labor cost in inventory stockrooms by counting only high-value items.  These items are determined by reference to their Annual Usage values.  The items' annual usage values should be used as the activity cost pool for accumulating and allocating labor cost in inventory stockrooms.  Taylor Industries can establish a benchmark or cutoff point so that only the items meeting this benchmark are counted.  For example, the items with annual usage value above $5,000 should be included in the items to be counted.  This strategy will reduce the number of items to be counted and therefore the labor cost.

b) Since item 15 is critical to Taylor Industries' continued operations, it should be classified as a direct materials cost and not an overhead cost.

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

a random sample of 20 of Taylor's items:

ITEM NUMBER   ANNUAL USAGE    ITEM NUMBER    ANNUAL USAGE

1                               $ 1,500                      11                       $ 13,000

2                               12,000                     12                              600

3                                2,200                      13                        42,000

4                              50,000                     14                           9,900

5                                9,600                     15                            1,200

6                                   750                      16                         10,200

7                                2,000                      17                          4,000

8                               11,000                      18                         61,000

9                                  800                       19                         3,500

10                            15,000                      20                        2,900

Average annual usage value = $12,657.50