Question Tag: Cash Flow Projections

Tanko Ltd (TL) is engaged in the manufacturing and sale of a single product GG. The existing manufacturing plant is being operated at full capacity of 6,000 units per annum, but the production is not sufficient to meet the growing demand of GG. TL is considering replacing its existing plant with a new Japanese plant. The production capacity of the new plant would be 50% more than the existing capacity. The board of TL considers this expansion a high-risk investment and requires a minimum expected rate of return of 15% on its investment.

To assess the viability of this decision, the following information has been gathered:
i) The purchase cost and installation cost of the new plant will amount to GH¢3.14 million and GH¢0.45 million, respectively.
ii) The supplier would send a team of engineers to Ghana for final inspection of the plant before commissioning at a cost of GH¢120,000. 50% of this cost would be borne by TL.
iii) As a result of the installation of the new plant, fixed costs other than depreciation would increase by GH¢0.3 million per annum.
iv) The existing plant has an estimated life of 10 years and has been in use for the last 6 years. The machine supplier has offered to purchase the existing plant immediately at GH¢1.6 million.
v) During the latest year, 6,000 units were sold at an average selling price of GH¢550 per unit. Variable manufacturing cost was GH¢450 per unit. TL expects to increase sales volume by 25% in the first year after the plant’s installation. Thereafter, the sales volume would increase by 4% per annum. Selling price and variable manufacturing cost will increase by 5% per annum.
vi) The new plant would be depreciated using the straight-line method. The residual value of the plant at the end of its useful life of 4 years is estimated at GH¢350,000.
vii) TL’s cost of capital is 12%.

Required:
Using break-even rate (internal rate of return), advise whether TL should acquire the new plant.