What is the most appropriate five-year strategy for ABC?

• A. Rapid expansion without R&D.
• B. Narrow focus on current products.
• C. ABC should cautiously expand the e-waste business, continue R&D, build supply partnerships, and market its recovered metals as sustainable while maintaining its strong concrete base.
• D. Exit e-waste.

Answer: (C)

Choosing a five-year strategy is about balancing growth with innovation and maintaining a strong, reliable base of operations. The best option lays out cautious expansion in the e-waste space, continued investment in R&D, building supply partnerships to secure inputs and scale, and marketing recovered metals as sustainable, all while keeping the strong concrete base intact. This combination lets the company grow by leveraging new opportunities while staying innovative and resilient, and it preserves cash flow and expertise from the existing core business.

Rapid expansion without R&D risks overreach and wasted resources because innovation and development are essential to staying competitive in recycling and metals markets. Narrowing focus to current products misses future growth opportunities and leaves the company vulnerable to changes in technology and demand. Exiting e-waste would discard a growing, synergistic area that complements sustainability trends and could provide valuable streams from recovered materials.