Why did lagging depreciation legislation increase the importance of using capital funds optimally?

MINI CASE 

Heublein, Inc., develops, manufactures, and markets consumer food and beverage products domestically and internationally. The business of Heublein, Inc., their sales revenue, and some of their better known products are shown in Figure. Highlights of Figure include: The four major businesses (Groups) use different manufacturing plants, equipment, and processes to produce their products. In the Spirits Group, large, continuous process bottling plants are the rule; in the Food Service and Franchising Group, small fast food restaurants are the manufacturing plants. The amount of spending for capital projects and support varies greatly among the Groups, as would be expected from the differences in the magnitude of sales revenues