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Butler Lumber Case Analysis

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Butler Lumber Case Analysis
Question 1
Butler Lumber, a retailer of lumber products in the Pacific Northwest area, experienced a time of growth in the spring of 1991 (Harvard College, 2002, p.1). The company looked to take out a loan to grow business operations. The maximum loan offer from Suburban National Bank was $250,000 (Harvard College, 2002, p.1). This loan also required a pledge of property from company owner, Mr. Butler, to secure it. However, Northrop Bank would offer a loan up to
$465,000 (Harvard College, 2002, p.1). If he accepted this bigger loan, he would have to cut ties with Suburban National. Butler’s business ran off the ability to obtain resources at such a low rate by buying high quantity (Harvard College, 2002, p.1). The fact that he was only able to borrow up to $250,000 from the bank decreased his ability to buy more resources at a cheaper price and receive the discounts he needed to increase his profit margins with the growing market. He began the business in debt when he bought his partner’s interest in the company with a note payable and his business continued to have small profit margins due to lack of financing. During the years, Mr. Butler had taken few purchase discounts because of the shortage of funds arising from Stark’s investment and to cover working capital with the company’s expected increase in sales. He is unable to grow his cash flow enough to pay of his debts and this is a very dangerous trend. He doesn’t have enough cash on hand to take advantage of supplier discounts
(Harvard College, 2002, p.1). Mainly, he has to keep borrowing because the growth and profit margins were not enough to cover his liabilities. This is the reason for seeking out a new banking relationship. Butler will have the ability to purchase more at a lower discount rate which will work toward decreasing

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