We can continue to use an existing machine at a cost of $22,500 annually (after-tax cash basis, including depreciation tax benefits) for the next 4 years. Alternatively, we can purchase a new machine that has an expected life of 7 years for $45,000. The new machine is expected to cost $11,000 each year to operate (after-tax cash basis, including depreciation tax benefits). The new machine will reduce inventory needs by $5,000 starting immediately. This is a one-time reduction in inventory that will last for the entirety of the new machine's life. This reduction in inventory will be reversed at the end of 7 years. The cost of capital is 14%. The existing machine has no salvage value and we estimate that the new machine's salvage value will be 0 in 7 years. Should we purchase the new machine? In the box below, indicate your decision to replace or not replace, and provide support for your answer (i.e., indicate the criteria used to make the decision and the values for that criteria).
Additional facts for this question:
- The existing machine has been fully depreciated.
- As stated, the $22,500 and $11,000 are annual after-tax cash operating costs (i.e., after-tax cash operating costs = net income + depreciation), thus no further adjustments need to be made to them for depreciation.