A small factory is considering replacing its existing coining press with a newer, more efficient one. The existing press was purchased three years ago at a cost of $200000, and it is being depreciated according to a 7-year MACRS depreciation schedule. The factory’s CFO estimates that the existing press has 6 years of useful life remaining. The purchase price for the new press is $280000. The installation of the new press would cost an additional $20000, and this installation cost would be added to the depreciable base. The new press (if purchased) would be depreciated using the 7-year MACRS depreciation schedule although, as noted below, it would be retired/sold after 6 years. Interest expenses associated with the purchase of the new press are estimated to be roughly $4000 per year for the next 6 years.
The appeal of the new press is that it is estimated to produce a pre-tax operating cost savings of $81000 per year for the next 6 years. Also, if the new press is purchased, the old press can be sold for $30000 today. The CFO believes that the new press would be sold for $45000 at the end of its 6-year useful life. Assume that NWC would not be affected.
The company has an average tax rate of 29% and a marginal tax rate of 34%. The cost of capital (i.e., the discount rate) for this project is 8.5%.
Develop the incremental cash flows for this replacement decision and use them to calculate NPV and IRR. Next, make a conclusion about whether or not the existing coining press should be replaced at this time.