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Clarkson Lumber

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Harvard Business School 9-297-028 Rev. October 29, 1996 Clarkson Lumber Company After a rapid growth in its business during recent years, the Clarkson Lumber Company, in the spring of 1996, anticipated a further substantial increase in sales. Despite good profits, the company had experienced a shortage of cash and had found it necessary to increase its borrowing from the Suburban National Bank to $399,000 in the spring of 1996. The maximum loan that Suburban National would make to any one borrower was $400,000 and Clarkson had been able to stay within this limit only by relying very heavily on trade credit. In addition, Suburban was now asking that Mr. Clarkson guarantee the loan personally. Keith Clarkson, sole owner and …show more content…

Clarkson does in the organization.” Other employees numbered 15 in early 1996, 8 of whom worked in the yard and drove trucks, and 7 of whom assisted in the office and in sales. As part of its customary investigation of prospective borrowers, the Northrup National Bank sent inquiries concerning Mr. Clarkson to a number of firms that had business dealings with him. The manager of one of his large suppliers, the Barker Company, wrote in answer: The conservative operation of his business appeals to us. He has not wasted his money in disproportionate plant investment. His operating expenses are as low as they could possibly be. He has personal control over every feature of his business, and he possesses sound judgment and a willingness to work harder than anyone I have ever known. This, with a good personality, gives him a good turnover; and from my personal experience in watching him work, I know that he keeps close check on his own credits. All the other trade letters received by the bank bore out this opinion. In addition to owning the lumber business, which was his major source of income, Mr. Clarkson held jointly with his wife, an equity in their home. The house had cost $72,000 to build in 1979 and was mortgaged for $38,000. He also held a $70,000 life insurance policy, payable to Mrs. Clarkson. Mrs. Clarkson owned independently a half interest in a house worth about $85,000. Otherwise, they had no sizable personal investments. The

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