Capital Planning
Equipment Selection Framework: How to Avoid Specifying Wrong Technology
Equipment selection success comes from evaluating technology fit with operational requirements—not from vendor features or lowest cost.
3 min read
Capital Planning
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Capital Planning
Shutdown vs. Expand: The Financial Decision Framework for Food Manufacturing Lines
Lines generating positive contribution margin often justify continued operation despite appearing unprofitable on standard P&Ls. Here's how to decide.
3 min read
Capital Planning
Capital Project Portfolio Prioritization: Scoring Framework for Competing Initiatives
Most facilities have more capital ideas than budget. Here's the multi-criteria scoring framework that ensures capital allocation advances strategic objectives.
3 min read
Capital Planning
How Plant Managers Get to YES: Building Capital Request Presentations Corporate Approves
The problem isn't usually the business case—it's the presentation. Here's the four-section structure that gets capital requests approved.
3 min read
Capital Planning
Cost Overrun Prevention in Food Plant Construction: 7 Budget Protection Strategies
Food manufacturing construction projects commonly experience 15-30% cost overruns. Design-build with fixed-price contracts prevents them.
3 min read
Capital Planning
Equipment Financing vs. Cash Purchase for Food Manufacturers: Decision Framework
Should you finance equipment or purchase with cash? The answer depends on working capital seasonality, tax position, and balance sheet constraints.
3 min read
Capital Planning
How to Calculate True ROI on Food Processing Equipment: Maintenance Cost vs Value Creation
The purchase price represents less than 10% of total cost spent on equipment over its lifetime. Here's how to calculate true ROI using Total Cost of Ownership.
3 min read
Capital Planning
The Complete Food Manufacturing CapEx Budget Framework: Line-Item Guide
Most capital budgets focus on equipment costs while missing the complete Total Installed Cost picture. Here's the FEL-1 framework that prevents 24% budget overruns.
3 min read
Capital Planning
Food Manufacturing R&D Tax Credits: IRC Section 41 Qualifying Activities
Most food manufacturers think R&D credits only apply to revolutionary innovations. The reality: routine product development and process optimization often qualify.
3 min read
Capital Planning
Master Service Agreement ROI Calculator for Food Manufacturers
MSAs deliver 48%+ first-year ROI through predictable costs, priority scheduling, and economies of scale. Here's the calculator to prove it.
3 min read