Starc Enterprises is a listed company and its ordinary shares are trading at R25 per share (500 000 shares in issue). The company also has 20 000 bonds (par value of R1 000) in issue, which is currently trading at R750. The bonds mature in 20 years and pay a 10% coupon. As an advisor to the company you have been informed that the before tax cost of debt is 9.5% and you also know that a 25% tax rate applies to the company. With respect to the ordinary shares, the following information applies: Risk-free rate = 5% Market risk premium = 11% Beta coefficient = 1.4 You are also aware that the companys board is considering a new project that requires an initial investment of R250 000 for new equipment, which is expected to generate a net cash flow of R35 000, R60 000, R80 000 and R100 000 at the end of the first, second, third and fourth year respectively. The equipment has a salvage value of R50 000 at the end of the fourth year and a discount rate of 12% applies. Although the company is considering new projects, senior management has recently expressed concern about its working capital management. The following information has been supplied to you in this respect: Inventory turnover = 15 times Debtors turnover = 12 times Average payment period = 25 days

Calculate how long it takes the company to recover cash used to purchase raw material (assume 360 days in a year). Also, explain how this period to recover cash can be minimised.