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Fence Company MBA Case Study
Fence Company MBA Case Study
Robin L. M. Cheung
Student #0024338
For Professor D. Armishaw
A621 Managerial Accounting
McMaster University
Fence Company Ltd.
E
EX ECUTI VE S
TIIVE
XECUT UMM
SUMMA RY
ARY
Established in 19x5, Fence Company Ltd. is the brain-child of two brothers, Robert and Morris
Wood. Catering to the residential housing market, FC is a low-cost provider of wooden fences.
After a financially distressing year, FC requires an overhaul to its cost and pricing structure, its
marketing, human resources, and its operations—indeed, it has yet to establish an overall
strategy congruent with its competencies and resources.
Sales commissions should be changed to encourage more sales, but of smaller one-house
projects rather than large groups. The volume discount to group sales should be eliminated, as
it resulted in negative earnings.
B
Baackground
ckground
Equally owned by two brothers, Robert and Morris Wodd,
Fence Company Ltd. (FC) Was incorporated in March, 19x5.
Catering to the residential fence market, it offers volume
discounts for group purchases, guarantees to repair defective
fences at no cost, and has a capacity of 36,000 metres per
year.
IIndustry
ndustry A nalysis
Analysis
The Canadian fencing industry, along with all residential
construction industries, has been hit hard since the beginning of the 19x0 recession. In fact,
Industry Canada cites this period as being the “most prolonged period of stagnation…since the
Great Depression.” This stagnation has been mainly attributable to cyclical, demographic, and
structural factors. Owing to excess capacity generated during the previous decade and the
concurrent slow growth in the overall Canadian economy, Fence Company faces a particularly
difficult challenge in the next few years.
TThe
he Problem
Problem
Fiscal year 19x5 was a difficult one for Fence Company.
It is now late March, 19x6, and the Woods must make
some modifications to their current business model in
order to remain viable. The 50,000 metres projected
for 19x6 is unreasonable, since this projected volume
exceeds capacity by 39%.
C ompany A
Company nalysis
Analysis
See Appendix 2 for complete Congruency and SWOT analyses.
The use of formal models facilitates systematic development of feasible alternatives. In order
to propose alternative courses of action that fit FC’s specific context, its current internal and
external situation, its competitive environment, its strategic objectives, and its competencies
and resources must be considered. General recommendations made at the generic level
without regard for specific company context are therefore avoided since all recommendations
take FC’s specific context into account.
Fence Company Ltd.
Practical A
Practical Assssuumptions
mptions
A number of assumptions were integrated into this financial model:
Non-Unionized Labour
Labour is presumed to be non-unionized. Although management is legally prohibited from
interfering in the formation of unions, labour force is presumed to be non-unionized. This
results in lower wage costs, easier lay-offs, and higher productivity.
Snow-Ploughing is Incremental
The model assumes that the $500 per winter month truck rental expense and its associated
revenues are incremental to FC’s core competency of fence construction. It is therefore
excluded from the base scenario.
FFinancial
inancial An
Analysis
nalysis
FC’s current proposed 19x6 budget is detailed in Appendix 3. According to their planned
allotment of work teams (outlined in Appendix 3), assuming an average fence order-size of 100
metres, maximum capacity is estimated at 360 houses (orders) per year.
Its most generous offer, a four-house, 400-metre order offers increased sales commission and a
volume discount. This pricing structure results in a negative contribution margin; every four-
house, 400-metre order loses FC approximately $152.
A lternati
Alternat ves
tiives
Differentiate the Product
The Woods have undertaken Porter’s low-cost provider
strategy by default. The focus is on volume, attracting
clients on the basis of price. Although the Woods brothers
guarantee quality, they have not delivered it. This morphs
the guarantee from an asset to a liability. FC must segment
its market and position itself to target it most effectively. In
a market with low barriers to entry, a price war inevitably
results in only one winner—the customer. FC must not rely
on low-cost cut-throat pricing to attract customers. It can
focus either on a quality product, or specialty fences with
features not offered by competitors. Without a formal
research and development department, however, FC is
limited to offering prefabricated fence products. As such,
new entrants also have access to the same product base. A
novel way of developing a new product without R&D would
Fence Company Ltd.
be applying fencing to porches and verandas in fashionable ways. This would particularly
appeal to the luxury homeowner who is less price-sensitive.
Increase Advertising
Little (1970) describes a sigmoidal mathematical relationship between advertising expenditure
and short-run sales response. No advertising efforts were under way in 19x5 and none were
planned for 19x6. FC’s sales would, therefore, increase exponentially with sufficient
advertising expenditures. This level would be determined by Little’s ADBUDG (1970) function
calibrated with inexpensive marketing research information.
Cut Costs
FC currently has a high proportion of fixed costs that cannot be justified by expected revenues.
A full-time secretary at $12,000 per year can be replaced by a cellular telephone for each of
the owners for $1,200 per year. Instead of stockpiling inventory in a warehouse, FC can
negotiate Just-in-Time delivery agreements with its suppliers. At 5% additional cost, this still
represents a net savings of $16,140 over base (assuming capacity production at 36,000 metres
per year).
veranda specialist (horizontal). This strategy would allow FC to exploit economies of scale and
additional resources; however, the brothers would lose a significant amount of control and
identity.
R ecomm
Recom meendations
ndations
Fence Company should establish a best-cost provider strategy and support it with adequate
marketing and human resources. The Woods estimated the total 19x6 market size to be 50,000
metres (500 houses). Although their current team configuration cannot support this demand,
FC could supplement its workforce during the summer months and access additional low-cost
student work.
Cut Costs
Regardless of the strategy FC chooses, however, it must reduce its costs. The current cost
structure requires production of 78,800 metres of fence to break-even. This not only exceeds
current capacity, but it also exceeds estimated market demand. Wage rate is assumed to be
minimum wage and therefore cannot be reduced legally. Materials costs are assumed to be at
their minimum assuming that FC receives volume discounts already and stockpiles material in
the warehouse.
The warehouse expense, however, could be removed. This would reduce the need for a truck
to transport materials. It is estimated that FC would then be required to pay a 5% premium for
Just-in-Time delivery of materials and for ordering in smaller quantities.
The secretary can be replaced by two cellular telephones—one for each owner. Although the
secretary may be able to accommodate more callers, the current market size of 500 houses
distributed evenly over the nine-month work term would translate into less than three calls per
day. Assuming the owners are not actually involved in the unskilled labour, three calls per day
can easily be handled by the two owners. This represents a net savings of $10,800 per year—a
90% reduction in the relevant costs.
Because all tools from the previous years must be replaced, this expense is
included in all estimates; however, the new tools must be controlled
better. This could be accomplished by issuing each worker with a
numbered set of tools which must be checked in at the end of a the
following year’s expenses by a significant portion of the $3,000 (a portion
would be required each year for amortization of the tool depreciation).
Fence Company Ltd.
M
Moonntthh
Month W
W oorrkk T
Work Teeaam
Teamsmss C
Caappaacciittyy (((metr
Capacity mmeettre ss))
rees)
April 1 2,000
May 3 6,000
June 3 6,000
July 3 6,000
August 3 6,000
September 3 6,000
October 1 2,000
November 1 2,000
Total 36,000
The brothers estimated the market size to be 50,000 metres. This can be accomplished by
the addition of student workers as follows:
M
Moonntthh
Month W
W oorrkk T
Work Teeaam
Teamsmss C
Caappaacciittyy (((metr
Capacity mmeettre ss))
rees)
April 1 2,000
May 4 8,000
June 5 10,000
July 5 10,000
August 4 8,000
September 4 8,000
October 1 2,000
November 1 2,000
Total 50,000
University and college students can begin work earlier than high school students; thus, the
combined school students can accommodate more work teams during June and July.
of erecting fences; however, because the business is essentially dormant during this period, the
brothers can evaluate this option. This should be viewed as an incremental cost, however, and
the costs of renting the truck during the winter were not included in calculations pertaining to
the fence business; further, revenues resulting from ploughing snow are irrelevant to FC’s
operations, since FC’s competencies do not include ploughing snow—perhaps the Woods’ do.
Commissions should be structured to encourage the more profitable single-house orders. For
this reason, a constant 5% commission is suggested for single or group sales; however,
calculations estimated the commission at 6%. This supports a high performing salesperson by
increasing commissions based on volume of single-house sales while not encouraging group
sales.
Fence Company Ltd.
References
Nadler DA and Tushman ML. 1997. A congruence model for organization problem solving. In
Managing Strategic Innovation and Change: A collection of readings. Oxford University
Press. New York.
Fence Company Ltd.
A
Appppen
endix 11:: IIndustry
ndix ndustry A nalysis
Analysis
Porter’s Five Forces
SUBSTITUTES
A
Appppeennddiixx 22:: C
Coonnggrruueennccyy aanndd S
SWWO
OTT A
Annaallyysseess
Nadler and Tushman (1997) developed a congruency model that facilitates systematic
generation of feasible alternatives given an organization’s environment, history, and core
competencies given its selected strategy. This model has been used to develop alternative
courses of action for FC based on its specific situation.
Without taking strategy, competencies, and organizational structure and background into
account, recommendations are not defensible.
Fence Company Ltd.
EEEnnnvi
vviirrronment/
oonnm Reeesources/
meenntt//R
R ssoouurrcceess//H
Hiiissstory
H ttoorryy
- Customer-centric - Limited financial resources
- Low barriers to entry - Young (1-year-old) company
- Low product diversity - Low product reliability
SSStttrategy
rraatteeggyy
- Establish better internal controls
- Consider alternatives to Porter’s low-cost provider strategy
- Increase customer base (most customers are one-time clients)
O
Orrggaanniizzaattiioonnaall C
Organizational Cuullttuurree
Culture
• Family-owned
• Informal, loose
controls
• Informal performance
management
C
C mppeetteenncciieees
Cooompetenci
m ss FFFooormal
maall O
rrm O ggaanniizzzati
Orrrgani aattiiooon
nn
A
A
Arrrrrraaangements
nnggeem meennttss
• Mediocre fence-
building capability • Informal organization
• Small capacity structure
• Low reliability • Project-based teams
• Flexible work teams
• Not constrained by
collective agreements
T
Taaask
T sskksss
O
O ttppuuttss//O
Ouuutputs/ Obbbjjjeeecti
O ccttiivvves
eess
- Achieve return on investment above market rate
- Target ROI of 8 per cent
- Short-term profitability important to maintain debt positions
- Long-Term growth
Fence Company Ltd.
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
Flexible staffing Lack of adequate quality controls
Can lay off as required Guarantee work without actual quality
Low wage rates Lack of formal business judgment
Rent equipment as required Discount structure hurts margins rather than
Non-unionized workforce improves
Student summer breaks closely match peak times Commission structure hurts margins
Operating Leverage relatively low
OPPORTUNITIES TTHR
HRE
RE ATS
EATS
Housing starts indicate growing market Low barriers to entry
Large low-cost student summer workforce Low barriers to exit
Gain credibility by becoming member of Canadian Recessions—economic factors
Fence Industry Association (CFIA)
Financial Analysis
Fence Company Ltd.
Base Scenario
Houses 1 2 4 Teams Capacity (houses)
Metres 100 200 400 April 1 20
Selling Price $12 $12 $12 May 3 60
Revenues $1,200 $2,400 $4,800 June 3 60
Less Vol Disc $0 $0 -$480 July 3 60
Commission 5% 6% 8% August 3 60
Less Commission $60 $144 $384 September 3 60
Net Revenues $1,140 $2,256 $3,936 October 1 20
November 1 20
Variable Costs 1 2 4 Total 360
Wood $ 660.00 $ 1,320.00 $ 2,640.00
Nails $ 110.00 $ 220.00 $ 440.00
Transportation $ 120.00 $ 240.00 $ 480.00
Labour $ 132.00 $ 264.00 $ 528.00
Total VC $ 1,022.00 $ 2,044.00 $ 4,088.00
1 2 4
CM $118.00 $212.00 -$152.00 B/E (houses) 788.1356 877.3584906 -2447.37
UCM $118.00 $106.00 -$38.00
CM% 9.83% 8.83% -3.17%
Fixed Costs 1 2 4
Secretary $ 12,000.00 $ 12,000.00 $ 12,000.00
Management $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00
Warehouse $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00
Tools $ 3,000.00 $ 3,000.00 $ 3,000.00
Truck
April $ 500.00 $ 500.00 $ 500.00
May-Sept $ 2,500.00 $ 2,500.00 $ 2,500.00
Oct/Nov $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
Machine $ 4,800.00 $ 4,800.00 $ 4,800.00
Gas/Maintenance $ 8,000.00 $ 8,000.00 $ 8,000.00
Telephone $ 1,200.00 $ 1,200.00 $ 1,200.00
Total FC $ 93,000.00 $ 93,000.00 $ 93,000.00
Fence Company Ltd.
Scenario 1: Proposed
Houses 1 2 4 Teams Capacity (houses)
Metres 100 200 400 April 1 20
Selling Price $13 $13 $12 May 3 60
Revenues $1,300 $2,600 $4,800 June 3 60
Less Vol Disc $0 $0 $0 July 3 60
Commission 5% 6% 5% August 3 60
Less Commission $65 $156 $240 September 3 60
Net Revenues $1,235 $2,444 $4,560 October 1 20
November 1 20
Variable Costs 1 2 4 Total 360
Wood $ 693.00 $ 1,386.00 $ 2,772.00 <-- 5% JiT Delivery Premium
Nails $ 115.50 $ 231.00 $ 462.00 <-- 5% JiT Delivery Premium
Transportation $ 120.00 $ 240.00 $ 480.00
Labour $ 132.00 $ 264.00 $ 528.00
Total VC $ 1,060.50 $ 2,121.00 $ 4,242.00
1 2 4
CM $174.50 $323.00 $318.00 B/E (houses) 299.1404 323.2198142 656.60
UCM $174.50 $161.50 $79.50
CM% 13.42% 12.42% 6.63%
Fixed Costs 1 2 4
Secretary $ - $ - $ -
Management $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00 <-- Assume management requirement of $30k is fixed
Warehouse $ - $ - $ -
Tools $ 3,000.00 $ 3,000.00 $ 3,000.00
Truck
April $ 500.00 $ 500.00 $ 500.00
May-Sept $ 2,500.00 $ 2,500.00 $ 2,500.00
Oct/Nov $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
Machine $ 4,800.00 $ 4,800.00 $ 4,800.00
Gas/Maintenance $ 8,000.00 $ 8,000.00 $ 8,000.00
Telephone $ 2,400.00 $ 2,400.00 $ 2,400.00 <-- $100/month for cellular phones to replace secretary
Total FC $ 52,200.00 $ 52,200.00 $ 52,200.00
Fence Company Ltd.
Fixed Costs 1 2 4
Secretary $ - $ - $ -
Management $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00 <-- Assume management requirement of $30k is fixed
Warehouse $ - $ - $ -
Tools $ 3,000.00 $ 3,000.00 $ 3,000.00
Truck
April $ 500.00 $ 500.00 $ 500.00
May-Sept $ 2,500.00 $ 2,500.00 $ 2,500.00
Oct/Nov $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 1,000.00
Machine $ 4,800.00 $ 4,800.00 $ 4,800.00
Gas/Maintenance $ 8,000.00 $ 8,000.00 $ 8,000.00
Telephone $ 2,400.00 $ 2,400.00 $ 2,400.00 <-- $100/month for cellular phones to replace secretary
Total FC $ 52,200.00 $ 52,200.00 $ 52,200.00