Sam’s Ice Tea currently rents a bottling machine for $72,000 per year, including all maintenance expenses. It is considering purchasing a machine instead, and is comparing three options: (a) Continue to rent the machine at $72,000 per year for the next ten years;
(b) Purchase the machine it is currently renting for $175,000. This machine will require $42,000 per year in ongoing maintenance expenses; or
(c) Purchase a new, more advanced machine for $275,000. This machine will require $33,000 per year in ongoing maintenance expenses and will lower bottling costs by $7,000 per year.
Also, $50,000 will be spent upfront in training the new operators of the machine. Suppose the appropriate discount rate is 8% per year and the machine is purchased today. Maintenance and bottling costs are paid at the end of each year, as is the rental of the machine. Assume that the machines will be depreciated via the straight line method over seven years and that they have a ten-year life with a negligible salvage value. The marginal corporate tax rate is 35%. Should Sam’s Ice Tea continue to rent it current machine, purchase its current machine, or purchase the advanced machine? Why?