A. An analysis of the cash conversion cycle should also help Kaj understand what has been happening
Question:
B. Kaj has been able to obtain some industry ratio data from the home furnishings industry trade association to which he belongs. The industry association collects proprietary financial information from members of the association, compiles averages to protect the proprietary nature of the information, and provides averages for use by individual trade association members. Over the 20142015 and 20152016 periods, the inventory-to-sale conversion period has averaged 200 days, while the sale-to-cash conversion period (days of sales outstanding) for the industry has averaged 60 days. How did Scandis operations compare with these industry averages in terms of these two components of the cash conversion cycle?
Kaj Rasmussen founded Scandi Home Furnishings as a corporation during mid-2013. Sales during the first full year (2014) of operation reached $1.3 million. Sales increased by 15 percent in 2015 and another 20 percent in 2016. However, after increasing in 2015 over 2014, profits fell sharply in 2016, causing Kaj to wonder what was happening to his pride-andjoy business venture. After all, Kaj worked as closely as possible to a 24/7 pace, beginning with the startup of Scandi and continuing through the first three full years of operation.
Scandi Home Furnishings, located in eastern North Carolina, designs, manufactures, and sells Scandinavian-designed furniture and accessories to home furnishings retailers. The modern Scandinavian design has a streamlined and uncluttered look. While this furniture style is primarily associated with Denmark, both Norwegian and Swedish designers have contributed to the allure of Scandinavian home furnishings. Some say that the inspiration for the Scandinavian design can be traced to the elegant curves of art nouveau from which designers were able to produce aesthetically pleasing, structurally strong modern furniture. Danish furnishings and the home furnishings produced by other Scandinavian countriesSweden, Norway, and Finlandare made using wood (primarily oak, maple, and ash), aluminum, steel, and high-grade plastics.
Kaj grew up in Copenhagen, Denmark, and received an undergraduate degree from a technical university in Sweden. As is typical in Europe, Kaj began his business career as an apprentice at a major home furnishings manufacturer in Copenhagen. After learning the trade, he quickly moved into a management position in the firm. However, after a few years, Kaj realized that what he really wanted to do was to start and operate his own Scandinavian home furnishings business. At the same time, after travelling throughout the world, he was sure that he wanted to be an entrepreneur in the United States. Kaj moved to the United States in early 2013. With $140,000 of his personal assets and $210,000 from venture investors, he began operations in mid-2013. Kaj, with a 40 percent ownership interest and industry-related management expertise, was allowed to operate the venture in a way that he thought was best for Scandi. Four years later, Kaj is sure he did the right thing.
SCANDI HOME FURNISHINGS, INC.
SCANDI HOME FURNISHINGS, INC.
Cash Conversion CycleCash conversion cycle measures the total time a business takes to convert its cash on hand to produce, pay its suppliers, sell to its customers and collect cash from its customers. The process starts with purchasing of raw materials from suppliers,... Corporation
A Corporation is a legal form of business that is separate from its owner. In other words, a corporation is a business or organization formed by a group of people, and its right and liabilities separate from those of the individuals involved. It may...
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Entrepreneurial Finance
ISBN: 978-1305968356
6th edition
Authors: J. Chris Leach, Ronald W. Melicher