Make or Buy:Factors Relevant to Decision Making

Profit forecasts should be achievable targets. Not only must they project a level and mix of sales for the forthcoming financial year, at competitive prices, but the output requires to be manufactured, and marketed, at economic costs. One area in which cost savings may be effected — or otherwise — is that of subcontracting the manufacture of some items of sub‐product. Assessing the viability of such a decision becomes, inter alia, a matter of rigorous cost comparison with the same items made internally. This article reviews some of the important features arising in make or buy decisions.