A Distribution Center Wants to Evaluate an Alternative Product Tracking

question 9

Essay

A distribution center wants to evaluate an alternative product tracking system. The system has an initial cost of $500,000 and a salvage value of $80,000 at the end of its useful life of 7 years. The operating cost is estimated to be $550 per metric ton of product moved per day. The center can handle between 30 and 50 tons per day. Analyze the sensitivity of the PW to changes in a 10- metric- ton increment of product moved. Use an interest rate of 3% per year and 200 days of work per year.

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Definitions:

Opportunity Cost

Sacrificing the chance to gain from other alternatives by committing to one choice.

Real Interest Rate

The interest rate adjusted for inflation, representing the true cost of borrowing and the real yield to lenders or investors.

Equilibrium Interest Rate

The interest rate at which the demand for funds (borrowing) equals the supply of funds (saving), resulting in a stable market condition.

Money Demand

The desire to hold cash or liquid assets based on the trade-off between the liquidity provided by holding money and the foregone interest earnings from not investing it.