You have been appointed as a consultant for Pristine Urban-Tech Zither, Inc. (PUTZ), manufacturers of fine zithers. The market for zithers is growing quickly. The company bought some land three years ago for $1.31 million in anticipation of using it as toxic waste dump site but has currently appointed another company to manage all toxic materials. Based upon a recent appraisal, the company thinks it could sell the land for $1.41 million on an aftertax basis. In four years, the land could be sold for $1.51 million after taxes. The company also hired a marketing firm to examine the zither market, at a cost of $116,000. An excerpt of the marketing report is as follows:
The zither industry will have a rapid expansion in the next four years. With the brand name recognition that PUTZ brings to bear, we feel that the company will be able to sell 2,900, 3,800, 4,400, and 3,300 units each year for the next four years, respectively. Again, capitalizing on the name recognition of PUTZ, we feel that a premium price of $560 can be charged for each zither. Because zithers appear to be a fad, we feel at the end of the four-year period, sales should be discontinued.
PUTZ believes that fixed costs for the project will be $380,000 per year, and variable costs are 10 percent of sales. The equipment necessary for production will cost $2.60 million and will be depreciated according to a three-year MACRS schedule. At the end of the project, the equipment can be scrapped for $355,000. Net working capital of $116,000 will be required immediately. PUTZ has a 40 percent tax rate, and the required return on the project is 14 percent. Refer to Table 10.7.
What is the NPV of the project?