Beryl's Iced Tea currently rents a bottling machine for $$51,000$ per year, including all maintenance expenses. It is

considering purchasing a machine instead and is comparing two options:

a$.$ Purchase the machine it is currently renting for $$165,000.$ This machine will require $$20,000$ per year in ongoing

maintenance expenses.

b$.$ Purchase a new, more advanced machine for $$265,000.$ This machine will require $$15,000$ per year in ongoing

maintenance expenses and will lower bottling costs by $$12,000$ per year. Also, $$38,000$ will be spent up front to train the

new operators of the machine.

Suppose the appropriate discount rate is $9\%$ per year and the machine is purchased today. Maintenance and bottling

costs are paid at the end of each year, as is the cost of the rental machine. Assume also that the machines will be

depreciated via the straight$-$line method over seven years and that they have a $10-$year life with a negligible salvage

value. The marginal corporate tax rate is $30\%.$

Should Beryl's Iced Tea continue to rent, purchase its current machine, or purchase the advanced machine? To make

this decision, calculate the NPV of the FCF associated with each alternative.