When will I have earned back my BTD add-on firewood processor (ROI)?

The payback period (ROI = Return of Investment) is important for purchasing a BTD add-on firewood processor.
Below is a calculation model based on the data below.
You can enter your own data to create your own calculation.

Data:

  • Purchase Price of Machine: €22.950
  • Investment Deduction (KIA): 28%
  • Annual Savings on Labor Costs: €0 (for now in this calculation)
  • Revenue: 300 m³ per year
  • Purchase Cost of Logs: €60 per m³
  • Selling Price: €120 per m³
  • Costs and Depreciation: €15 per m³ (A BTD machine has NO maintenance costs except for the chain and saw blade)
  • Processing and Storage Costs: €17.50 per m³

Purchase price of the machine:

Purchase price = €22.950

Investment deduction (KIA):

The KIA is 28% of the purchase price:
KIA = 28% of €22.950 = €6.426

Effective investment after tax deduction:

Effective investment = Purchase price – KIA
Effective investment = €22.950 – €6.426 = €16.524

Annual savings through labor costs:

The annual labor cost savings from using the machine as a one-man show.
No amount is included for this.

Turnover and costs per m³:

Revenue per m³ = €120
Costs per m³ = Purchase Cost (€60) + Costs and Depreciation (€15) + Processing and Storage Costs (€17,50)
Total Costs per m³ = €60 + €15 + €17,50 = €92,50 per m³
Profit per m³ = Selling Price – Total Costs per m³
Profit per m³ = €120 – €92,50 = €27,50 per m³

Annual Profit from Revenue:

The annual profit from the sale of 300 m³ is:
Annual Profit from Revenue = 300 m³ × €27,50 per m³ = €8.250

Total Annual Savings (labor cost savings + revenue profit):

Total annual savings = Labor cost savings + Annual profit from sales
Total annual savings = €0 + €8.250 = €8.250 per year

Calculation of the payback period (ROI):

Payback period = Effective investment/Annual savings
Payback period = €16.524/€8.250 ≈ 1.97 years

Summary of the Calculation:

  • Purchase Price of Machine: €22.950

  • Investment Deduction (28%): €6.426

  • Effective Investment after Deduction: €16.524

  • Annual Labor Cost Savings: €0

  • Annual Profit from Revenue: €8.250

  • Total Annual Savings: €11.250

  • Payback Period: approximately 1.97 years

In short,

By using the BTD machine (one-man-show), you also achieve labor cost savings compared to “on-site sawing and splitting machines” in this market segment. Examples include mobile sawing and splitting machines set up in a large open area, powered by a tractor PTO, equipped with a feed conveyor, log lift, and discharge conveyor. In the calculation example above, an additional labor cost saving can be included at your own discretion when using a BTD attachment sawing and splitting machine.

With profit from the sale of 300 m³, the payback period for the investment in the machine would now be approximately 1.97 years. This means that, based on the data used, the investment is still quickly profitable, even though no labor cost savings have yet been included.

For further explanation or advice, we at BTD Technics are happy to assist you.

Related links

How much does it cost to produce firewood?
How can I produce a lot of firewood with minimal costs?
Why buy a BTD add-on firewood processor?