Burdell Labs Is a Diagnostic Laboratory That Does Various Tests

question 30

Essay

Burdell Labs is a diagnostic laboratory that does various tests (blood tests, urine tests, etc.) for doctors' offices in the Indianapolis area. Test specimens are picked up at the doctors' offices and are transported to the testing facility, with uniform arrivals throughout the day. All tests go through two testing centers in the testing facility, Test Center A and Test Center B. A has a current capacity of 1,000 units per week, and B is capable of 1,500 units per week. The facility operates 50 weeks per year. This year (year 0), test volumes are expected to reach 1,000 units per week. Growth is projected at an additional 200 units each week through year 5 (i.e., 1,200 per week in year #1, 1,400 per week in year #2, etc.). Pre-tax profits are expected to be $5 per test throughout the 5-year planning period. Two alternatives are being considered:
1) Expand both Test Centers A and B at the end of year 0 to a capacity of 2,000 units per week, at a total cost for both Test Centers of $300,000;
2) Expand Test Center A at the end of year 0 to 1,500 units per week, matching Test Center B, at a cost of $100,000, then expanding both Test Centers to 2,000 units per year at the end of year 3, at an additional cost at that time of $250,000.
Burdell Labs will not consider projects that don't show a 5th year positive net present value using a discount rate of 15%. What are the pre-tax cash flows for the two alternatives compared to the base case of doing nothing for the next five years, and what action, if any, should Burdell take?

---

Definitions:

Herfindahl Index

An economic measure used to calculate the concentration of market power within industries, considering the sizes of all firms in the market.

Monopolistic Competition

A market structure where many firms sell products that are similar but not identical, allowing for competition based on price, quality, and brand.

Variety

Variety in the context of economics refers to the range of different products or services available in a market, catering to diverse consumer preferences and contributing to market competition.

Minimum Wage

The lowest legal salary that employers can pay their workers, aimed at protecting workers from unduly low pay.