TREND REPORT, NON VALUE ADDED COSTS

Zurcher Company has developed value added standards for four activities: purchasing parts, receiving parts, moving parts, and setting up equipment. The activities, the activity drivers, the standard and actual quantities, and the price standards for 2006 are as follows: Suppose that for 2007, Zurcher Company has chosen suppliers that provide higher quality parts and redesigned its plant layout to reduce material movement. Additionally, Zurcher implemented a new setup procedure and provided training for its purchasing agents. As a consequence, less setup time is required and fewer purchasing mistakes are made. At the end of 2007, the following information is provided:

Activities

Activity Driver

SQ

AQ

SP

Purchasing parts

Purchase orders

1,000

1,400

$150

Receiving parts

Receiving orders

2,000

3,000

100

Moving parts

Number of moves

0

1,000

200

Setting up equipment

Setup hours

0

4,000

60

The actual prices paid per unit of each activity driver were equal to the standard prices.

Suppose that for 2007, Zurcher Company has chosen suppliers that provide higher quality parts and redesigned its plant layout to reduce material movement. Additionally, Zurcher implemented a new setup procedure and provided training for its purchasing agents. As a consequence, less setup time is required and fewer purchasing mistakes are made. At the end of 2007, the following information is provided:

Activities

Activity Driver

SQ

AQ

SP

Purchasing parts

Purchase orders

1,000

1,200

$150

Receiving parts

Receiving orders

2,000

2,400

100

Moving parts

Number of moves

0

400

200

Setting up equipment

Setup hours

0

1,000

60

Required:

1. Prepare a report that compares the non value added costs for 2007 with those of 2006.

2. What is the role of activity reduction for non value added activities? For valueadded activities?

3. Comment on the value of a trend report.