TaylorTech, a high-quality metals finishing company, is struggling with its margins. TaylorTech has raw materials delivered to its foundry in Pittsburgh, where the company melts the metals into castings. The firm then polishes them as a value-added process before selling the custom castings to customers. Its unique process is rare in the United States, is very secretive, and results in a more efficient cast that commands a premium price. Unfortunately, the casting process is becoming more expensive due to increased wage pressure from the workers specializing in casting. With these issues, TaylorTech has to make a decision. Which is the most viable option for TaylorTech to increase its margins?

a. Layoffs of team members across the company
b. Outsourcing of the casting process
c. Stop offering the polishing process
d. Hire less skilled workers

Exercise 6-2 variable costing income statement; explanation of difference in net operating income [lo6-2] ida sidha karya company is a family-owned company located on the island of bali in indonesia. the company produces a handcrafted balinese musical instrument called a gamelan that is similar to a xylophone. the gamelans are sold for $970. selected data for the company’s operations last year follow: units in beginning inventory 0 units produced 200 units sold 180 units in ending inventory 20 variable costs per unit: direct materials $ 130 direct labor $ 300 variable manufacturing overhead $ 30 variable selling and administrative $ 15 fixed costs: fixed manufacturing overhead $ 63,000 fixed selling and administrative $ 25,000 the absorption costing income statement prepared by the company’s accountant for last year appears below: sales $ 174,600 cost of goods sold 139,500 gross margin 35,100 selling and administrative expense 27,700 net operating income $ 7,400 required: 1. under absorption costing, how much fixed manufacturing overhead cost is included in the company's inventory at the end of last year? 2. prepare an income statement for last year using variable costing.