...Butler Lumber Case Management Accounting Case (1) Financial Planning: Butler Lumber Valuation 1. Although Mr Butler has seen an increase in his sales for the last few years, there are a few reasons why he needed a loan from the bank to keep his operations going. 1) Shortage of Cash: Despite good profits, Mr. Butler had experienced a shortage of cash from 1988 to 1990. During this period of time, there was a decrease in cash reserves, as well as in inventory turnover, indicating that Mr. Butler’s money had been tied up in his inventory. This can be resolved by working on his receivables turnover ratio, which decreased from 1988 to 1990, as seen in Appendix A. 2) Debt Consolidation: In late 1988, Mr. Butler took a loan of $70,000 that carried an interest rate of 11%. The annual interest payable to the bank compounded to his cash shortage problem. 3) Expansion of operational business: Additional investments in working capital and inventory purchases will be required to keep up with the company’s increasing sales volume. 2. As illustrated in Appendix B, assuming that 1991 sales volume will be $3.6 million, Butler Lumber will only need a loan of roughly $333,600.00 to finance the expected expansion in sales. The company’s estimate of the loan requirements is inaccurate. 3. In the first quarter of 1990, sales were $698,000, approximately 25.91% of the yearly revenue. Based on this ratio, we estimate that Butler Lumber Company will generate approximately...
Words: 3590 - Pages: 15
...Subject: Butler Lumber Company Problem: Butler Lumber Company has been experiencing in the past few years a rapid growth of its sales. However, in order to sustain this growth the company also experienced an increase of its inventory and of its accounts receivables leading to a shortage of cash to finance day to day activities. The company therefore needs to find a way to improve its financial flexibility without extending even more its trade credit. Options: 1. Remain with its current bank, the Suburban National Bank, with a credit limit of $250,000. 2. Take the 90-day note ($465k) from Northrop National Bank and deteriorate relations with Suburban National Bank. a. Benefit from the early payment discount b. Do not benefit from the early payment discount 3. Take a line of credit from Suburban National Bank but for a different amount. Recommendation: Ratio Analysis (compare A/R, A/P turnover rate) Our group recommends that Mr Butler puts an end to his relationship with the Suburban National Bank. Butler Lumber Company needs more financial flexibility in order to sustain its growth and the bank is limiting the maximum loan to $250,000. Therefore, we recommend Mr Butler to start working with Northrop National Bank. Based on our EFN calculations we believe that $465,000 is too much for Butler Lumber Company. Indeed, we have found in our 6 scenarios that the maximum amount that Mr Butler could need would be $392,000. Therefore, we recommend Butler...
Words: 1737 - Pages: 7
...Butler Lumber Case Study Zachary Scott Brown FIN 6420 – Dr. J. Robert Malko February 4, 2012 I: Statement of Financial Problem: Butler Lumber Company, a rapidly growing lumber products and retail distribution organization, faced a critical challenge that would determine its future success and level of profitability. The company, led by its founder Mark Butler, had a bright future as its products were consistently in demand in both the new construction and repair work fields. However, Butler Lumber faced one major challenge. The challenge that the company was experiencing was a shortage of cash due to restrictions set by its current funding source, Suburban National Bank. Due to these restrictions, Butler Lumber began to explore other funding sources in order to enhance its current business model and satisfy the high demand of its products. As a possible solution, Butler Lumber looked to a larger bank, the Northrop Bank, which had the potential to offer the company $465,000, nearly double the amount offered by its current lender, Suburban National Bank. Although the idea of moving to a heavy hitting lender seemed quite appealing, one major financial problem needed to be addressed. The major financial problem facing Butler Lumber was identifying why the forecasted figures shown on the income statement differ from the results provided on the balance sheet. II: General Framework for Financial Analysis: There are several factors that can contribute to discrepancies or inconsistencies...
Words: 1210 - Pages: 5
...Statement of Financial Problem Butler Lumber Company, a growing, profitable business has exhausted it’s credit limit with its current bank and needs additional capital to: * Continue to fund growth * Consolidate debt * Improve cash flexibility In this case study, I will examine the following problem: During the years of 1988-1990, why has Butler Lumber increased sales volume but experienced a decrease in cash flow? This problem is historical, and I will base my analysis from information contained on the Butler Lumber income statement and balance sheet spanning the years of 1988-1990. II. Financial Analysis Framework To adequately assess the situation, the following ratios will need to be determined to create a framework for analysis: * Liquidity ratio – Will Butler be able to liquidate enough assets to be able to pay off debt as payments are due? A satisfactory liquidity ratio is required if Butler Lumber is to continue operations. * Debt management ratio – What does Butler Lumber’s mix of debt to equity look like? Is the combination right? * Asset management ratio – Does the company have the right amount of assets to offset sales? Is Butler effectively managing its assets? * Profitability ratio – Is the level of sales high enough? Do sales exceed the cost of each unit? Are they achieving an adequate level of profitability? Calculating these ratios will allow for proper application of the framework for analysis. The source of funds that...
Words: 287 - Pages: 2
...Fin 522 Cases in Financial Strategy Group Assignment – Butler Lumber Case Vedvati Shrotre (shrotre2) Xiaoyue Sun (xsun52) Chenxiao Zhu (czhu19) 1. If the first estimated growth of sales is 30 percent, compare it to the value of the secured 90 day note that Northrup Bank is willing to lend Butler Lumber. What are the results? Our conclusion is that the new credit line provided by Northrop National Bank would not cover Butler Lumber’s cash shortage under the assumption of 30 percent sale growth rate and 10 days period of payment period to the supplier. We noticed that the cash conversion cycle we have calculated indicates that it takes 15 days longer for the cash to cycle around in 1991 than in 1990. The main cause for this increase is the assumption that the Butler Lumber company pay suppliers in 10 days to gets purchase discount. With the increase in both sales and cash conversion cycle, the shortage of cash will expand. The geometric average sales growth rate for the period 1988 – 1990 is 26.0%, while the geometric average interest expense growth rate is 59.3%. Basically the interest expense is growing at the speed that doubles the growth rate for sales. Given that sales growth rate is 30%, we estimate the interest expense growth rate to be 76.7% and the amount would be 58K. While under the new credit line, the maximum interest expense under fully utilization of the notes payable would be 465k*10.5%+50K*11%=54.33K. Obviously under 30% growth, the new credit line would be...
Words: 820 - Pages: 4
...Problems, Options and Recommendations The problem that we have recognized in this case is that Butler Lumber Company does not have enough funds to finance its operations in the future. The company has experienced a shortage in cash and needs to issue debt as it moves forward. The company is also under pressure because of the payment to be made to Mr. Stark for the buyout of his share in the company of $105,000. Although, the majority of this payment has been made, Butler still owes Stark another $35,000 that he intends to finance through another loan. The firm has already been using up its cash reserves to pay back its liabilities, which is not a good sign since cash should be used for investment purposes. As we can see from Exhibit 4 (Cash flow from operations), cash balances have been depleting year by year with a total decrease of $17000 over the years 1988-1990. Butler Lumber has two options to support the company’s operations. The first presents itself in the form of a loan from the Suburban National Bank of $250000, who have asked them to secure the loan with real property, which shows that the company’s risk profile has increased as this bank never asked for any security while making loans in the past. But the problem with this scenario is that the company will need a bigger loan to finance its operations, which the Suburban National Bank will not provide beyond $250000. Therefore another option that the company can consider is to accept Northrop National Banks offer of...
Words: 3457 - Pages: 14
...Case Analysis: Butler Lumber Company (2011-05-03 06:06:15) 转载▼ 标签：mbacorporatefinancecasestudybutlerlumber财经 | 分类： CorporateFinanceCaseStudy | HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL 9-292-013 REV: JANUARY 4, 2002 Butler Lumber Company To examine Butler’s current financial situation and to answer the question of how well Butler is doing are not an easy task. There are many things to look into. Let us start with net working capital. Net working capital= current assets- current liabilities | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | current assets | 468 | 596 | 776 | 932 | current liabilities | 260 | 375 | 535 | 690 | net working capital | 208 | 221 | 241 | 242 | In thousands of dollars For 1991, only first quarter’s data is provided, so in the following discussion, we us the first quarter’s data to represent year 1991. Using excel, I calculated the net working capital of Butler Lumber Company from year 1988 to year 1991. Net working capital can give us some ideas how much the company’s potential reservoir money is. We see a steady increase in net working capital through these years, which is a good sign. However, merely the absolute numbers are not sufficient to make further judgment. Thus, I make this chart on common size analysis based on the total asset. net working capital | 208 | 221 | 241 | 242 | total assets | 594 | 736 | 933 | 1094 | net working capital common size | 0.350168 | 0.300272 | 0.258307 | 0.221207 | In thousands of dollars From the...
Words: 1659 - Pages: 7
...Shumann Butler Lumber Company Background: Butler Lumber Company had been founded in 1981 in a suburb of a large city in the Pacific Northwest. The company s operations were limited to the retail distribution of lumber products. Their typical products included plywood, moldings, and sash and door products. Despite good profits Butler Lumber Company experienced a shortage in cash and found it necessary to increase its bank loans. Issues: y y Why does a Profitable company such as Butler Lumber need external Financing? Should Butler Lumber Company accept the discount that is being offered from its suppliers? y Project the Butler Lumber Company s balance sheet and Income Statement for all of 1991 under two scenarios If they accept the discount If they don t accept the discount Analysis: Butler Lumber Company is a profitable company anticipating tremendous growth, and typical of a company in this phase of the business cycle, the cash needed to meet obligations outstrips its inflow from operations. Butler s exponential growth has caused them to need external financing, because they can t self-fund their working capital needs. The might be able to mitigate some of this through better inventory management control such as squeezing their suppliers on credit terms or for increased volume discounts. Going forward their fixed costs will also help build economies of scale which should diminish their external financing demands in future fiscal periods. Butler is banking...
Words: 1036 - Pages: 5
...Butler Lumber Company Case Analysis In completing the case, we have consulted only with each other and/or the instructor. Sergei Chunkovsky Hung Nguyen Jeffrey Parrish January 25, 2016 Butler Lumber Company, a lumber company located in the Pacific Northwest, is rapidly expanding and is seeking to borrow more cash to finance its day-to-day operations. However, their current bank, Suburban National, has imposed a limit on their borrowing thus causing Butler to seek funds from another bank, Northrop National. Butler Lumber finds itself in a unique position, as it requires an influx of cash even though sales are growing and the company is generating revenue. Because Mr. Butler wants to take advantage of trade discounts, he uses bank notes to pay his suppliers quickly where he would otherwise be unable to with operating cash flows. As his business grows, he purchases more and more inventory on account, requiring larger amounts of debt to pay off. Under current operating procedure, Mr. Butler will need to find another bank to lend him money so that he can continue to operate his business. Based on current projections, it is estimated that the Butler Lumber Company will need to obtain approximately $215,000 from Northrop National Bank to meet their current obligations. Table 1 shows a detailed pro forma balance sheet for the Butler Lumber Company for the years 1988 through 1991. This $215,000 number is calculated on the assumption that sales for 1991 will be...
Words: 2812 - Pages: 12
...Butler Lumber Company To examine Butler’s current financial situation and to answer the question of how well Butler is doing are not an easy task. There are many things to look into. Let us start with net working capital. Net working capital= current assets- current liabilities 1988 1989 1990 1991 current assets 468 596 776 932 current liabilities 260 375 535 690 net working capital 208 221 241 242 In thousands of dollars For 1991, only first quarter’s data is provided, so in the following discussion, we us the first quarter’s data to represent year 1991. Using excel, I calculated the net working capital of Butler Lumber Company from year 1988 to year 1991. Net working capital can give us some ideas how much the company’s potential reservoir money is. We see a steady increase in net working capital through these years, which is a good sign. However, merely the absolute numbers are not sufficient to make further judgment. Thus, I make this chart on common size analysis based on the total asset. net working capital 208 221 241 242 total assets 594 736 933 1094 net working capital common size 0.350168 0.300272 0.258307 0.221207 In thousands of dollars From the data in the above chart, we can see net working capital stands a very large weight in the total assets, thought decreasing. This also may be positive, because the decreasing of net working capital common size is not from the decrease of net working capital but from the increase of total...
Words: 1569 - Pages: 7
...HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL 9-292-013 REV: JANUARY 4, 2002 Butler Lumber Company To examine Butler’s current financial situation and to answer the question of how well Butler is doing are not an easy task. There are many things to look into. Let us start with net working capital. Net working capital= current assets- current liabilities | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | current assets | 468 | 596 | 776 | 932 | current liabilities | 260 | 375 | 535 | 690 | net working capital | 208 | 221 | 241 | 242 | In thousands of dollars For 1991, only first quarter’s data is provided, so in the following discussion, we us the first quarter’s data to represent year 1991. Using excel, I calculated the net working capital of Butler Lumber Company from year 1988 to year 1991. Net working capital can give us some ideas how much the company’s potential reservoir money is. We see a steady increase in net working capital through these years, which is a good sign. However, merely the absolute numbers are not sufficient to make further judgment. Thus, I make this chart on common size analysis based on the total asset. net working capital | 208 | 221 | 241 | 242 | total assets | 594 | 736 | 933 | 1094 | net working capital common size | 0.350168 | 0.300272 | 0.258307 | 0.221207 | In thousands of dollars From the data in the above chart, we can see net working capital stands a very large weight in the total assets, thought decreasing. This also may be positive...
Words: 1645 - Pages: 7
...MEMORANDUM To: Mr. George Dodge Date: 1th June 1991 Subject: Business Analysis of Butler Lumber Business and Loan Recommendation We would like to make concise summaries of a prospective client, Butler Lumber Company led by Mr. Mark Butler- a sole owner and president. Butler Lumber Company was founded in 1981 as a partnership by Mark Butler and Henry Stark, located in growing suburb area of a large city in the Pacific Northwest. Company typical products include plywood, molding, and sash and door. Generally, sales revenue was high in Q2-Q3 of each year. Product sold was limited in local market, distribution channel available on telephone order taking only, and there are no sales representatives employed. Key success factors for the company is cost efficiency and having good relationship with suppliers. In year 1988 Mr. Butler decided to buy share back from Mr. Stark in 1988 worth $105,000 the payment for Mr. Stark’s note was made in this year. The major portion of this amount was raised by a secured loan $70,000 with 11% interest rate. As we analyze the company balance sheet between 1988 to 1st quarter of 1991, net worth increased approximately 32% as the company has net profits every year. Use of funds under Assets are account receivables, inventories, and fixed assets; increases of 102%, 133%, and 29% respectively. The reasons are that the company is unable to collect money from customers based on 30-day credit term (average DSO is 40 days) and inventory...
Words: 1153 - Pages: 5
...BUTLER LUMBER CASE REPORT The Butler Lumber company is facing cash difficulties due to the buyout of Henry Stark’s share and because it is operating a high growth rate. Thus, it is imperative to analyze the various options available to Mark Butler in order to meet the cash needs of the Butler Lumber Company. In order to support the reasoning for our recommendation, we constructed a ratio analysis (Appendix I; Exhibit 1). Even though the firm has realized increasing sales and decreased its operating and cash cycle, other factors were found to have contributed to the shortage of funds. From the analysis, we were able to conclude that the main reasons for the firm’s insufficient funds were due to its slower collection of accounts receivable, higher costs of goods sold, heavy reliance on debt financing and most importantly a growth rate that is not sustainable. From Exhibit 1 in the Appendix, the current and quick ratios have been declining since 1988; furthermore, the quick ratio is less than 1, which indicates that the firm is deeply reliant on its inventory to meet the payments of its current liabilities. This is a problem since more inventory means more cash tied up in less liquid assets, which decreases the firm’s cash. Secondly, when analyzing the firm’s profitability, ROA increased by 3% from 1989 to 1990, but this was mainly due to the increase in total asset turnover which increased from 3.03 to 3.23 (Exhibit 1). Another component of ROA, net...
Words: 964 - Pages: 4
...FNCE90013 Case Studies in Finance SUBJECT GUIDE July – August, 2015 Prepared by George Kester Department of Finance Faculty of Business and Economics Objective To develop an understanding of applied corporate finance including financial analysis and forecasting, financing sales growth, short-term versus long-term financing, capital structure policy, capital investment analysis, cost of capital, and company valuation. The course will be experiential and focus upon selected Harvard Business School cases describing actual business situations faced by financial managers, requiring analysis, and decision-making. Professor Professor George W. Kester Texts Robert C. Higgins, Analysis for Financial Management (10th Editon), McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2012. Cases You should read and analyze each assigned case. The cases are available on the LMS page for FNCE90013. Readings Selected readings will be distributed during the course. Group Study It is recommended that you form yourselves into small study groups for the purpose of routinely reviewing and discussing assigned before each class. Your learning experience will be enhanced by such interaction and you will be better prepared for class. Presentations Copies of the PowerPoint slides of the presentations are available on the LMS page for FNCE90013. It is recommended that you print them out prior to each class. Attendance The class attendance will be taken. Participation ...
Words: 2087 - Pages: 9
...The following is my beginning analysis on Butler Lumber Company and reviewing its Risk, Opportunity, and financial condition on what is wrong and good about this company. I back up my hypothesis based on the following attainable data; Current Ratio = The current ratio is an excellent diagnostic tool as it measures whether or not BLC (Butler Lumber Company) has enough resources to pay its bills over the next 12 months. The current ratio is computed using the following data, Current Assets/Current Liabilities. The definition of current assets is primarily derived from the Balance Sheet of BLC. It is anything that is easily convertible into cash over or within 1 year. Current Liabilities are a category of liabilities on the balance sheet that represent financial obligation that are expected to be settled within one year. Therefore thus far BLC receives a clean bill of health. For every $1 in CL (Current Liabilities), there is $1.35 in current assets in the first quarter of 1991, $1.45 in 1990, $1.59 in 1989, and $1.80 in 1988 respectively. So how could this be a risky? On the flip side, when comparing the ratio from year to year and in BLC’s case it continues to grow, this could outline potential risk in A) collecting Accounts Receivable or you may be carrying too much inventory. By looking at BLC’s statement both facts appear to be true in nature, you AR continue to increase steadily from $171K in 1988 to $345K just in the first quarter of 1991. Inventory further complicates...
Words: 466 - Pages: 2
