Martock Corp. is also considering the recommendation of an industrial engineer firm to optimize its production facility. Management estimate that the changes to the facility will result in annual reductions in cash outflows (i.e., will result in cost savings) as follows: Savings in Years 1 through 4 of $6.25 mln annually

Starting in Year 5, these savings will decline by 8% year-over-year up to and including Year 13

Savings in Years 14 and 15 will then decline by 50% year-over-year

Project savings will terminate at the end of Year 15

a. One alternative for undertaking this optimization is for MC to pay a one-time fee today.

i. If the cost today is $40 mln, should MC proceed with the project?

ii. What is the maximum amount that MC could spend on the project today and it still be viable?

b. A second alternative for MC is for the engineering firm to fund the initial cost of the project and for MC to make annual payments to this firm over the projects 15-year life.

i. If the annual payments to the engineering firm are $4.75 mln, should MC undertake the project?

ii. What is the implied interest rate that the engineering firm is charging to MC under this arrangement?

iii. What is the maximum amount that MC could pay each year for the project to be viable, assuming the firm makes equal annual payments to the engineering firm?

iv. Assume that the annual payments to the engineering firm increase by 2% annually to offset inflation. What would be the value of the maximum payments in Years 1 and 15 to the engineering firm, assuming the project is viable?