Advanced Thermal Ltd is proposing the construction of a new plant in Thailand. It has recently completed a $100,000, two-year study on its latest project. It estimated that 20,000 of its new geothermal heat pump could be sold annually over the next eight years at a price of $9,000 each. Subcontractors would install the pump at a cost of $7,200 per installation. Fixed costs of $12 million per annum will be incurred.
The initial outlay includes $80 million to build production facilities and $3 million in land. The $80 million facility will be depreciated usingthe prime cost method over the project's life (fully depreciated at the end of the project). At the conclusion of the project the facilities (including the land) will be sold for an estimated value of $10 million.
The firm is an ongoing profitable business and pays taxes at a 30% rate in the year of income. It uses a 15% discount rate on the new project. Using the NPV approach, determine whether the project should be undertaken (use the relevant tax rate in your analysis).