In January of year 0, the Swiss group Schmidheiny published the following projected figures:

(a) Calculate the breakeven point for each year. The cost structure is as follows:
◦ variable costs: raw materials used, outsourcing, 50% of other external services;
◦ fixed costs: all other costs.

(b) Schmidheiny is planning a capital expenditure programme which should increase its production capacity threefold. This programme, which is spread over years 0 to 1, includes the construction of four factories and the launch of new products.
The income statements for years 1, 2 and 3 factor in these investments. State your views.

(c) The company will need to raise around €30m to finance this capital expenditure programme. Financial expense before this capital expenditure programme amounts to BC1.6m, and Schmidheiny is planning to finance its new requirements using debt exclusively (average cost of debt: 10% before tax). What is your view of the debt policy the company intends to pursue?

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0 - 2 3 Production 70.2 106 132 161 Raw materials used 29.4 35.4 44.3 53.8 Personnel cost 22.2 29.4 36.7 41.1 Taxes 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.8 Other external services 13.7 19.8 24.6 30.5 Outsourcing 2.5 8.9 11.2 11.3 Depreciation and amortisation 1.4 2.7 3.6 5