calculate and interpret the operating leverage for the project

Estimating Cash Flow-New Project Analysis The Lawn Robot: Is It Really Worth It? If there was one thing the folks at Creative Products Corporation (CPC) knew well, it was how to come up with useful and unique products in the midst of economic adversity. With current year revenues considerably lower and profit margins shrinking due to severe price competition, the firm's engineers had been pushed hard to develop a prototype of a useful, and hopefully highly profitable, "unique" product. Last month, the design team unveiled a fully tested, prototype of their latest innovation, a reme controlled lawn mower, the "Lawn Robot." Surveys of retailers and customers conducted by the marketing depart- ment indicated that demand would be excellent, provided the price was lower than a riding lawn mower. The testing and development phases took almost three years and the final product passed all safety hazard tests with flying colors. After the unveiling, the product was exhibited at various home shows nationwide and received rave reviews. Full production had not yet started, however, because there had been a change in CEOs, and the new CEO was highly conservative. Before being given the "go ahead" to go into full-scale production of the Lawn Robot, the design team had to present a detailed feasibility study to the Capital Investment Committee (CIC), which was chaired by the Vice President of Finance, Bill Burton. As was typical in a major under- taking of this type, the proposal had to include detailed cost and revenue estimates with sufficient documentation to substantiate the numbers. 44 Case 11 The Lawn Robot Is It Really Worth In? 45 han a few of these kinds of proposals 1. Matt Robichek, knew that he had ago, Chris dependable ancial analyst Chris Robinson, who in.co In experi- Having been involved with more than few of these kinds of prop before, the head of the design team Matt Robichek, knew that better take every ke every possible factor into consideration and be prepared for a tough and demanding question and answer session at the next meeting. Luckily for Matt his assistant Chris Robinson, who had recent earned his chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation, was an enced and dependable employee Prior to being hired by CPC three ya ago, Chris had worked for another large engineering company 10 years. "Chris, we have to Chis, we have to dot all the sand cross all the t's on this one said Matt. "Or else the big guys are going to tear us apart, because we're talking major dollars her s major dollars here. Their main question is going to be, 15 really worth it?" So Matt and Chris began collecting the necessary in chris began collecting the necessary information. They knew that to have a comprehensive feasibility study they woul include the following: engineerin or else to dot all the talking 1. Pro forma statements showing expected annual revenues, variable costs, fixed costs, and net cash flows over the economic life of the project with appropriate supporting documentation 2. Break-even analysis. 3. Sensitivity of the cash flows to alternative scenarios of sales growth and profit margins. Based on the data provided by the marketing department, they prepared Table 1, showing the expected unit sales of the Lawn Robot over its 10-year economic life and the expected selling price per unit. Note that the price of $1,000 per unit was estimated to gradually drop to $900 per unit over the 10-year period reflecting competitive pressures. Depreciation for this project was based on the seven-year MACRS rates as shown in Table 2. The cost of equipment, including shipping, handling, and instal- lation, was estimated at $20 million. It was estimated that after 10 vears. the equipment and tools could be sold for $4 million. The manufacturing would be done in an unused plant of the firm. Similar plant locations could be leased for $10,000 per month. Fixed costs were estimated to be $1,500,000 per year while variable production costs per unit were expected to be $400. To get the project underway, additional inventory of $500,000 would be required. The company would increase its accounts payable by $600,000 and its accounts receivable by $1,000,000. Matt and Chris estimated that each year thereafter, the networking capital of the firm would amount to 5% of sales. The weighted average cost of capital was calculated to be 14%. Interest expenses on debt raised to fund the project were estimated to be $400,000 per year. The company's tax rate was expected to remain constant at 34%. 46 Case 11 The Law Robor: Is It Really the Law Rober: Is It Really Worth It? Table 1 Unit Price Table 1 Projected Unit Sales and price for Lawn Robot Lawn Robot Unit Sales Year $1000 1000 30.000 34.000 1000 950 950 950 950 900 900 900 38,000 36, 000V 36.000 35.500 35,000 34.500 34.000 5 dl 10 Table 2 Modified ACRS Depreciation Allowances 5-Year 7-Year Year 3-Year 1 22 33.33% 144.44 14.82 20.00% 32.00 19.20 11.52 11.52 5.76 14.29% 24.49 17.49 12.49 8.93 8.93 8.93 4.45 Orbit Year Table 1 Unit Sales Unit Price 1,000 AWN 30,000 34,000 38,800 38,000 36,000 36,000 35,500 35,000 34,500 34,000 1,000 1,000 950 950 950 900 900 900 70