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Anonymous A
on Aug 18, 2019
Global
Question about

Question 6

Hello,

Regarding the answer to question #6 : "Wages will decrease by (25%*0.85)=21% to about 4% of total costs when moving production to China" what is the logic behind it? ( Multiplying it with .85 and then stating that 4% is the answer?

Thank you so much.

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Coach
on Aug 19, 2019
McKinsey Associate / Landed all MBB offers / 100+ cases solved and given

Hello Anonymous,

The key here is to understand that both the 21% and 4% are relative to total cost.

Here it goes:

Current wages are 25% of total costs.

In China, wages are only 15% of what they currently are. Hence you save 85%.

By moving to China, wages will become approx 4% of total cost (= 25% * 15%).

Said differently, you will save approx 21% of total cost (= 25% * 85%).

Does this make sense?

Best

Stephanie.

on Aug 30, 2019
Hi Stephanie,
on Aug 30, 2019
Just following up on that. Shouldn't the new total costs be lower if the wages have decreased?
Luca
Coach
on Dec 18, 2019
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Stephanie gave a great explanation. I would just add that the wages will be the 4% of the original total costs. 

If we refer to the new amount of costs, producing in china, the incidence of the wages will be

4% / (100 % - 21%) = 5%

Hope it helps,
Luca

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