Jackson Automotive Systems

William E. Fruhan; Wei  Wang

Case | HBS Case Collection | July 2013

Jackson Automotive Systems

Abstract

Jackson Automotive Systems produces automotive parts for advanced heating and air conditioning systems, engine cooling systems, fuel injection and transfer systems, and various other engine parts and it supplies them to the automotive industry primarily in Michigan. Like many OEM suppliers for the automotive industry, Jackson cut back production following the financial crisis in 2008. By 2013, the firm is back to operating at capacity. The company experiences a bottleneck in production of some key electronic components and, as a result, is unable to repay its outstanding debt to the bank. In addition, the firm delayed replacing equipment during the downturn and now must replace aging equipment to avoid future production delays. The president approaches the bank for an extension to repay a loan and for an additional loan to cover the new equipment purchase. Before meeting with the loan committee, the president must prepare a presentation on the firm's financial position.

Keywords: Production; Financial Crisis; Corporate Finance; Manufacturing Industry; Auto Industry; Michigan;

Language: English

Format: Print

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Citation:

Fruhan, William E., and Wei Wang. "Jackson Automotive Systems." Harvard Business School Brief Case 914-505, July 2013.

Case | HBS Case Collection | June 2018

Burton Sensors, Inc.

William E. Fruhan and Wei Wang

Burton Sensors presents a realistic situation where a small, rapidly growing, and profitable temperature sensor original equipment manufacturer (OEM) reaches its debt capacity and seeks equity financing to sustain high growth. The president of the company must decide whether to purchase thermowell machines (a positive NPV project), whether to issue common stock to a private investor at depressed prices to alleviate financial pressure, and whether to acquire another sensor manufacturer in an all-stock deal. All three decisions are interrelated and require different techniques to assess. In particular, the acquisition decision must be analyzed as both an investment and a financing opportunity, as the acquisition could be used to resolve the financial constraint problem. This case thus shows students how corporate investment and financing decisions often interact. The case offers a comprehensive overview of key issues in a typical corporate finance or financial management course, including capital budgeting, debt capacity analysis, security issuance, and acquisitions. It can be used in a first-year MBA course in corporate finance or financial strategy or in an elective MBA course in mergers and acquisitions. It can also be used in upper-year undergraduate finance courses that cover capital budgeting, security issuance, and mergers and acquisitions. The case can also be used as a take-home final exam.

Keywords: Financing and Loans; Acquisition; Investment; Financial Strategy; Decision Choices and Conditions;

Citation:

Fruhan, William E., and Wei Wang. "Burton Sensors, Inc." Harvard Business School Brief Case 918-539, June 2018. View Details

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