Carrying cost is the cost of holding inventory over a period of time. Carrying cost includes the cost of storage, insurance, taxes, obsolescence, spoilage, and opportunity cost of capital. Carrying cost is usually expressed as a percentage of the inventory value per year. An order point is the level of inventory that triggers a replenishment order. An order point is calculated based on the demand rate, the lead time, and the safety stock. An order point is used to maintain a balance between inventory availability and inventory cost. A planner who chooses to increase the order point for a raw material is most likely to increase the carrying cost, as a higher order point means a higher average inventory level, which in turn means a higher carrying cost. Increasing the order point may reduce the risk ofstockouts and improve customer service, but it also increases the inventory investment and its associated costs.
The other options are not likely to increase as a result of increasing the order point. Ordering cost is the cost of placing and receiving an order. Ordering cost includes the cost of processing, transportation, inspection, and setup. Ordering cost is usually expressed as a fixed amount per order. Ordering cost is not affected by the order point, but by the order quantity and the number of orders. Landed cost is the total cost of delivering a product or service to the customer. Landed cost includes the cost of production, transportation, taxes, duties, and fees. Landed cost is usually expressed as a percentage of the product or service value. Landed cost is not affected by the order point, but by the sourcing, pricing, and logistics decisions. Product cost is the total cost of producing a product or service. Product cost includes the cost of materials, labor, and overhead. Product cost is usually expressed as a variable amount per unit. Product cost is not affected by the order point, but by the production methods, techniques, and efficiency. References: CPIM Exam Content Manual Version 7.0, Domain 5: Plan and Manage Inventory, Section 5.1: Inventory Management Concepts, p. 30; Order Point; Carrying Cost.
