Your company is environmentally conscious and is considering two heating options for a new research building. What you know about each option is below, and your company will use an annual interest rate (MARR) of 6% for this decision. Which is the lower cost option for the company?

United Pigpen (UP) is considering a proposal to manufacture high protein hog feed. The project would make use of an existing warehouse, which is currently rented out to a neighboring firm. The next year’s rental charge on the warehouse is $260,000, and thereafter the rent is expected to grow in line with inflation at 4% a year. In addition to using the warehouse, the proposal envisages an investment in plant and equipment of $3.1 million. This could be depreciated for tax purposes over 10 years. However, UP expects to terminate the project at the end of eight years and to resell the plant and equipment in year 8 for $1,040,000. Finally, the project requires an initial investment in working capital of $910,000. Thereafter, working capital is forecasted to be 10% of sales in each of years 1 through 7. Year 1 sales of hog feed are expected to be $10.9 million, and thereafter sales are forecasted to grow by 5% a year, slightly faster than the inflation rate. Manufacturing costs are…

New Economy Transport (B) There is no question that the Vital Spark needs an overhaul soon. However, Mr. Handy feels it unwise to proceed without also considering the purchase of a new vessel. Cohn and Doyle Inc., a Wisconsin shipyard, has approached NETCO with a design incorporating a Kort nozzle, extensively automated navigation and power control systems, and much more comfortable accommodations for the crew. Estimated annual operating costs of the new vessel are: Fuel Labor and benefits. Maintenance Other $380,000 330,000 70,000 105,000 $885,000 Page 183 The crew would require additional training to handle the new vessel's more complex and sophisticated equipment. Training would. probably cost $50,000 next year. The estimated operating costs for the new vessel assume that it would be operated in the same way as the Vital Spark. However, the new vessel should be able to handle a larger load on some routes, which could generate additional revenues, net of additional out- of-pocket…

Trader Bubba Industries must choose between solar and an electric-powered forklift truck for moving materials in its factory. Because both forklifts perform the same function, the firm will choose only one. (They are mutually exclusive investments.) The solar truck will cost more but will be less expensive to operate; it will cost $70,000, whereas the electric-powered truck will cost $60,000. The life for both types of truck is estimated to be 8 years, during which time the net cash flows for the solar-powered truck will be $20,000 per year and those for the electric-powered truck will be $12,000 per year. Trader Bubba Industries’ assets are $400 million, financed through bank loans, bonds, preferred stocks, and common stocks. The amounts are as follows: Bank loans: $50 million borrowed at 6% Bonds: $200 million, paying 8% coupon with semi-annual payments, and maturity of 10 years. Trader Bubba sold its $1,000 par-value bonds for $1020 and had to incur $20 flotation cost per bond.…