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. her is a randome sample of 20 of Taylors Items.
Item Number Annual Usage Item Number Annua Usage
1 $1500 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
6 790 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 recomment 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 be classified?