Sales-to-capital benchmarking: The ratio of gross annual sales to fixed capital investment is known as the __________ ratio.

Introduction / Context:
Engineers often need quick indicators of how effectively fixed capital is being converted into sales. The turnover ratio provides a high-level benchmark for capital productivity and helps compare plants or projects within a sector.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Gross annual sales and fixed capital investment are known.
• Comparisons are meaningful among similar technologies and product mixes.
• No adjustment here for working capital or margins—this is a gross measure.

Concept / Approach:
Turnover ratio = Gross annual sales / Fixed capital investment. Higher turnover generally implies faster capital recovery potential, but it must be considered alongside margins, operating costs, and asset longevity.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Cross-check with payback estimates: higher turnover can correlate with shorter paybacks, all else equal.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Using turnover alone without considering profitability; high sales with thin margins may still yield poor returns.

Final Answer:
turnover