Harmony Publishing is a small company that produces and distributes educational books for schools. The company has a steady revenue stream from annual contracts with several school districts. Recently, Harmony Publishing invested in new printing equipment worth £60,000 to improve production efficiency.
The company’s latest Statement of Profit or Loss reveals that its gross profit has increased due to lower cost of sales, but its operating expenses have risen because of higher maintenance costs for the equipment. Additionally, Harmony’s directors are concerned about its net profit margin, which has slightly decreased compared to the previous year. They are exploring whether further investment in automation could reduce operating expenses.