Hillside’s revenues based on demand growth

Hillside’s revenues based on demand growth

This is an assignment that focuses on the analysis of Hillside’s revenues based on demand growth. The paper also answer to questions like implications of increasing the payment period.

Analysis of Hillside’s revenues based on demand growth

Hillside Industries is considering the expansion of its operations by pursuing a plant extension. As a background, Hillside’s revenues have substantially increased based on demand growth for its products, currently at levels not seen since 2010. Working as the company’s Chief Financial Officer, you have been asked to assess the aforementioned plant extension plan. Additionally, presenting (in a report) your recommendations to the Board of Directors (BoD). The current figures at Hillside indicate that the company has sold 12,500 units in the last financial year. The projected sales of 15,000 units over the next five years (annually). However, since relying on more efficient fully automated machines (the initial investment for which is discussed below), the new plant will have the capacity to produce 20,000 units/year.

Secondly, to cover the gap between forecasted sales and the capacity of the new plant, the marketing department has suggested to launch an aggressive campaign (amounting to a cash expense of $40,000/year) whereby the payment period to wholesale customers is extended from 15 to 30 days – this will presumably lead to the additional demand of 5,000 units/year required to cover the gap. The projections above also assume a sale price of $100 per unit, and that Hillside would be liable to pay its suppliers 12 days from the date of purchase of raw materials, with the cost of raw materials being $30/unit. Also relevant is the fact that it currently takes 15 days for the company to convert raw materials into finished goods, with production levels of 60 units/day.

Investment

The investment envisaged by the production manager of Hillside to carry on with the business expansion entails the installation of a newly developed, fully automated production technology in the new plant. The details associated with this investment are as follows: Forcasted Future Free Cash Flows (Years) Initial Investment: $270‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‍ 000 Year 1: $47 000 Year 2: $61 000 Year 3: $95 000 Year 4: $97 000 Year 5: $150 000. Based on the previous behaviour of the company’s stock, the beta of Hillside’s shares is 2. Moreover, the current economic scenario is such that the risk-free interest rate is 1% per year. With financial analysts expecting a rate of return of 6% on the market portfolio (i.e., the relevant index representing the stock market). Hillside has also previously issue corporate debt that will mature in 15 years  currently priced at $896.

Questions

Finally, the company’s liabilities amount to 60% of its balance sheet and assume the tax-shield in Australia as 30%. Based on the background provided in the case study. You are to write a report addressing the following key questions:

1. In terms of working capital requirements.what are the implications of increasing the payment period (or average collection period) from 15 to 30 days? Please refer to the operating and cash conversion cycles in your answer.

2. Based on the forecasted sales, is it possible for Hillside to achieve the corresponding cash and accounting break-even points? Based on your calculations for each – and from a pure cost management perspective – is the marketing department’s proposal acceptable? Explain.

3. Use the net present value (NPV) criteria to assess whether the expansion plan is warrant. Explain to the BoD the benefits of the NPV vis-a-vis other capital budgeting methodologies.

4. Which of the two sources (bonds or shares) should the company use to raise the funds for the expansion plan? Explain the reasons behind your decision.

5. Based on the answers to the previous questions, determine whether to endorse the recommended plan to t‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‍he Board