
The Economic order quantity refers to
that order quantity, which minimizes total cost per annum & thus average cost per
unit for the purchased items, within the range of possible order quantities. This total
cost consists of two parts- (1) Ordering costs & (2) Carrying costs.
Ordering cost is independent of the quantity ordered; on the other hand, with the increase
in the quantity ordered, carrying cost increases. Carrying cost includes storage cost,
handling cost, insurance charges, cost of obsolescence etc. & the opportunity cost
of the capital blocked. Thus, with the increase in size of purchase (because in that
case the number of purchase decreases), there is a decrease in the ordering cost but
as the size of purchase increases, the carrying cost increases. Therefore, a balance
between ordering cost & carrying cost is necessary to find out so that it becomes
possible to find the most favorable quantity.
We can have an idea on this matter, by a tabular presentation in respect of a particular
item:
Estimated usage per annum is 24000 units & price per unit charged by the
supplier is $ 6, ordering cost per order is $ 50, carrying cost of stock as % of
average stock value is 10%
Bases on the above information, economic order quantity can be determined by preparing
a schedule as under:
No. of orders per 1 2 4 6 8 10 12 16 20
Annum
Order Size 24000 12000 6000 4000 3000 2400 2000 1500 1200
(Total requirement)
(No. of orders)
Average Stock 12000 6000 3000 2000 1500 1200 1000 750 600
(Order size/2)
Avg. Stock Value 72000 36000 18000 12000 9000 7200 6000 4500 3600
(Avg. stock*unit cost)
Stock carrying 7200 3600 1800 1200 900 720 600 450 360
Costs (10% of average
stock value)
Ordering costs 50 100 200 300 400 500 600 800 1000
(No. of orders*order
Cost per order)
Total cost per annum 7250 3700 2000 1500 1300 1220 1200 1250 1360
(Carrying cost+
Ordering cost)
It can be seen from the above table that, with the increase
in quantity ordered, stock carrying costs also increases & with the decrease in
quantity ordered, the stock carrying costs decreases; while with the increase in quantity
ordered, ordering cost decreases & with the decrease in quantity ordered, ordering
cost increases. Thus when the ordered quantity is 2000 units, the total costs are the
lowest at $ 1200. Thus economic order quantity is 2000 units.
Costs of materials are not included in the total cost. Where the price per unit is
fixed, this is not required. Where, for higher quantity, discount is available progressively,
cost of materials at each level has to be considered.
EOQ can be determined on the basis of graphical form & also by applying mathematical formula. But, EOQ determination in graphical or tabular form is lengthy & also accurate solution may not be provided. It is possible to find out EOQ mathematically by applying the following formula:
EOQ=√ (2CoO)/Cc
Where Co = Consumption per annum (i.e. usage in units)
O = Ordering cost for placing a order
Cc = Carrying cost (including interest) of one unit for one year (usually expressed as % of the cost per unit)
Thus, we may obtain EOQ mathematically, by taking the information previously used in the table.
EOQ = √ (2*24000*50)/10% of 6 = √ 2400000/0.60 = √4000000 = 2000 units = 6 orders per annum.
An alternative mathematical calculation is as follows:
EOQ shall lie at the point where the total ordering cost shall be equal to the total carrying cost. Let the number of orders (each of economic quantity) per annum be represented by ‘N’. The average stock is 24000/N*2, carrying cost is 10% of $ 6 or $ 0.60 & total ordering cost is N* $ 50.
Now, $ 0.60*24000 = N* $ 50 or,
$ 0.60*24000 = N*N
N*2 2*50
Now, N2 = 0.60*24000 = 144 or, N= 120 times
2*50
EOQ = Annual usage = 24000 = 2000 units.
No. of orders 12
For determining, the EOQ as mentioned above, some problems or limitations are involved in the use of table, graph, or mathematical formula which is mentioned below:
- The assumption that all costs i.e. ordering costs, unit costs etc. are known & constant may not prove correct.
- Determination of carrying cost is a subjective matter & the estimates of interest rates on which it is based may vary.
- The assumption that rate of consumption or usage throughout the year will remain constant may not come true & also seasonal variations may be there.
- The assumption may not hold that for an individual component an economic order quantity can be set, having no regard to the manufacture of the other components entering either into it or into further assemblies, of which it forms a part. In order that completed component stocks can be held in waiting stores, it is possible that every component can be made in an economic order quantity yet out of phase with other components.
Example:
Particulars relating to an inventory are as below:
Annual consumption -6000 units (in 360 days)
Cost per unit - $ 1
Ordering cost - $ 6 per order
Inventory carrying charge – 50%
Normal lead time = 30 days
Safety stock – 60 days consumption
Find out-(a) each time, how much should be ordered, (b) when the order should be placed, (c) what should be the ideal inventory level immediately before the delivery of material ordered is received, (d) each many times orders for EOQ should be placed in a year.
Solution:
- EOQ = √ (2CoO)/Cc
Where Co = 6000 units, O = $ 6 per order, Cc = 50% of $1 = $ 0.50
EOQ = √ (2*6000*6)/0.40
= 1200 units.
Hence each time 1200 units should be ordered.
- Re-ordering level= Safety stock+ Lead time consumption
= (60+30) or 90 day’s consumption
= 90*(6000/360) = 1500 units
Hence, an order should be placed when the stock reaches 1500 units
- The ideal inventory level, immediately before the delivery of material ordered is received is the safety stock level, which represents 60 days consumption i.e.
60*(6000/360) = 1000 units.
- No of times orders for EOQ to be placed in a year = 6000/1200 = 5 times
Example:
Calculate (a) Re-ordering level, (b) Maximum level, (c) Minimum level & (d) Danger level, from the given below details:
Re-ordering quantity is to be calculated on the basis of the following information:
Cost of placing a purchase order is $ 40
No of units purchased during the year are 10000 units
Purchase price per unit inclusive of transportation cost is $ 100
Annual cost of storage is $ 5
Details of lead time: Average 20 days, Maximum 30 days, Minimum 12 days. For emergency purchases 8 days.
Rate of consumption: Average 30 units per day, maximum 40 units per day.
Solution:
(a) Re-order level = Maximum usage per period * Maximum delivery
period
= 40 units per day * 30 days = 1200 units
(b) Maximum level = Re-order level + Re-order quantity-(Minimum Usage*Minimum delivery period) [Working notes 1 & 2]
=1200 units+ 400 units- (20 units per day*12days)
= 1360 units
(c) Minimum level = Re-order level-(Average usage*Average delivery period)
= 1200 units – (30 units*20days)
= 600 units
(d) Danger level = Average usage*Lead time for emergency purchase
=30 units* 8 days
=240 units
Working Notes: (1) Re-ordering quantity = EOQ = √ (2CoO)/Cc
= √ (2*10000*40)/5 = 400 units
(2) Minimum Usage: - Average usage is 30 units per day. Total of minimum & maximum usage is (30 units *2) or 60 units per day. Since maximum usage is 40 units per day, minimum usage is (60-40) units or 20 units per day.
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