QUESTION 1
[25 MARKS]
The Food Company Ltd (hereafter FCL) is a Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) listed company
operating in the fast-moving consumer goods industry. The industry average debt-to-equity
ratio for both 2021 and 2022 is 38%. FCL manufactures and distributes everyday food items
such as bread, pasta, rice, sauces, and canned food throughout Namibia. FCL's success is
mainly attributed to its strategy of continuous improvement and innovation.
The company requires a large amount of capital expenditure to upgrade its plant and
equipment. Energy efficiency will be a key part of this upgrade. Facilities will be fitted with
energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration. FCL is also planning to use biodegradable
packaging for some if its products. While this project will require a significant capital outlay, it
will also result in a significant cash injection into the economy and the creation of job
opportunities.
The following information relates to FCL.
2022
2021
Skills development spend (N$'m)
39,32
36,86
Energy (Kwh)
86,19
83,32
Production (tons)
1 545 880
1 557 276
Carbon emissions
0,17
0,15
Capital structures (debt/equity)
45:55
35:65
During the current year at one of the manufacturing sites in the Khomas region, the food
inspection officer realised expired ingredients were being used while baking bread. The
inspector was afraid to notify management as, in the past, colleagues of his were fired
immediately for not timeously identifying and removing expired ingredients, despite the error
being their first. He thought it would be best if he and his team managed the problem
independently. He called a friend, who owns a fleet of trucks, loaded all the 'damaged' loaves
of bread onto his trucks, and asked his friend to dump the loaves of bread onto an unoccupied
piece of land about 100km away from the manufacturing facility.
Some of the initiatives undertaken by FCL, post-year end, include significantly reducing the
salt and sugar content of various products and increasing the level of detail about ingredients
on the packaging.
REQUIRED
a) Discuss the non-financial performance of FCL.
MARKS
20
Advise FCL on whether it should fund the plant and equipment upgrade
5
b)
using debt financing. Provide reasons for your answer.
1