Description
Kaj Rasmussen founded Scandi Home Furnishings as a corporation during mid-2002. Sales during the first full year (2003) of operation reached $1.3 million. Sales increased by 15 percent in 2004 and another 20 percent in 2005. However, profits after increasing in 2004 over 2003 fell sharply in 2005 causing Kaj to wonder what was happening to his “pride and joy” business venture. After all, Kaj has continued to work as close as possible to a 24/7 pace beginning with the startup of Scandi and through the first three full years of operation.
Scandi Home Furnishings, located in eastern North Carolina, designs, manufactures, and sells to home furnishings retailers Scandinavian-designed furniture and accessories. The modern Scandinavian design has a streamlined and uncluttered look. While this furniture style is primarily associated with Denmark, both Norway and Sweden designers have contributed to the allure of Scandinavian home furnishings. Some say that the inspiration for the Scandinavian design can be traced to the “elegant curves” of art nouveau from which designers were able to produce aesthetically pleasing, structurally strong modern furniture. Danish, and the home furnishings produced by the other Scandinavian countries—Sweden, Norway, and Finland, are made using wood (primarily oak, maple, and ash), aluminum, steel, and high-grade plastics.
Kaj grew up in Copenhagen, Denmark and received a college degree from a technical university in Sweden. As is typically in Europe, Kaj began his business career as an apprentice at a major home furnishings manufacturer in Copenhagen. After “learning the trade,” he quickly moved into a management position in the firm. However, after a few years, Kaj realized that what he really wanted to do was to start and operate his own Scandinavian home furnishings business. At the same time, after traveling throughout the world including the U.S., he was sure that he wanted to be an entrepreneur in the United States. Thus, while it was hard to give up the Tivoli Gardens with its many entertainment and dining activities, as well as the other attractions in Copenhagen, Kaj moved to the U.S. in early 2002. With $140,000 of his personal assets, and $210,000 from venture investors, he began operations in mid-2002. Kaj, with a 40 percent ownership interest and industry-related management expertise, was allowed to operate the venture in a way that he thought was best for Scandi. Four years later, Kaj is sure he did the right thing.
Following are the three years of income statements and balance sheets for the Scandi Home Furnishings Corporation. Kaj has felt that in order to maintain a competitive advantage that he would need to continue to expand sales. After first concentrating on selling Scandinavian home furnishings in the northeast in 2003 and 2004, he decided to enter the west coast market. An increase in expenses associated with identifying, contacting, and selling to home furnishings retailers in California, Oregon, and Washington. Kaj Rasmussen was hoping that you could help him better understand what has been happening to Scandi Home Furnishings both from operating and financial standpoints.
SCANDI HOME FURNISHINGS, INC.
Income Statements
2003 2004 2005
Net Sales $1,300,000 $1,500,000 $1,800,000
Cost of Goods Sold 780,000 900,000 1,260,000
Gross Profit 520,000 600,000 540,000
Marketing 130,000 150,000 200,000
General & Administrative 150,000 150,000 200,000
Depreciation 40,000 53,000 60,000
EBIT 200,000 247,000 80,000
Interest 45,000 57,000 70,000
Earnings Before Taxes 155,000 190,000 10,000
Income Taxes (40%) 62,000 76,000 4,000
Net Income $93,000 $114,000 $6,000
SCANDI HOME FURNISHINGS, INC.
Balance Sheets
2003 2004 2005
Cash $50,000 $40,000 $10,000
Accounts Receivables 200,000 260,000 360,000
Inventories 450,000 500,000 600,000
Total Current Assets 700,000 800,000 970,000
Fixed Assets, Net 300,000 400,000 500,000
Total Assets $1,000,000 $1,200,000 $1,470,000
Accounts Payable $130,000 $170,000 $180,000
Accruals 50,000 70,000 80,000
Bank Loan 90,000 90,000 184,000
Total Current Liabilities 270,000 330,000 444,000
Long-Term Debt 300,000 400,000 550,000
Common Stock ($10 par)* 300,000 300,000 300,000
Capital Surplus 50,000 50,000 50,000
Retained Earnings 80,000 120,000 126,000
Total Liab. & Equity $1,000,000 $1,200,000 $1,470,000
Note: 30,000 shares of common stock were issued to Kaj Rasmussen and the venture investors when Scandi Home Furnishings was incorporated in mid-2002.
