A company has introduced a process improvement that reduces processing time for each unit, so that output is increased by 25% wtih less material, but one additional worker required. Under the old process, five workers could produce 60 units per hour. labor costs are $12/hour, material input was previously $16/unit. For the process, material is now $10/unit. Overhead is charged at 1.6 times direct labor cost. Finished units sell for $31 each. What increase in productivity is associated with the process improvement?

The productivity increase by 48.83%

Explanation:

old

60 units for 5 workers

5 x $12 = 60

material $16 x 60 = 960

overhead: 60 x 1.6 = 96

total revenue 60 x 31 =  1,860

total cosT: 60 + 960 + 96 = 1,116

productivity index_ 1,860 / 1,116 = 1,667

now:

output 60 + 25% = 75 units

6 workers x $12 = $72

materials $10 x 75 units = $750

overhead: $72 x 1.6 = $115.2

total revneue 75 units x $31 = 2,325

total cost: 75 + 750 + 115.2 = 940.2

productivity index_ 2,325 / 940.2 = 2,4728

percentage of improvement: ( it is calculate like a return on investment)

(2.4728 - 1.667) / 1.667 = 0.4883 = 48.83%