Engagements

DESCRIPTION

SITUATION

RESULT

National consumer goods manufacturer as advisor to private equity.

Private equity and mezzanine investors were concerned over the failure of the Company to meet plan expectations.

Performed a general business assessment and valuation of the Company including marketing, operations, sales, administration, finance and logistics.  Identified key bottlenecks and impediments to the company achieving growth expectations.  Based on implementation of recommendations addressing the identified shortcomings the Company growth expectations are expected to meet.

National frozen food processor as advisor to lender.

Mezzanine lender was being asked to accept a serve discount in order to facilitate refinancing the Company. 

Performed an assessment to determine the projected payout to the mezzanine lender under a net orderly liquidation and 363 sales as well as what was the estimated net present and fair market values of the Company as a going concern under the proposed debt structure.  As result the mezzanine lender was able to negotiate an increased payout.

Northeast retail furniture store chain as advisor to unsecured creditors.

Company was attempting an of court liquidation.

Retained by the unsecured creditors committee to conduct a forensic review of disbursements for possible preference and inappropriate disbursements.  Based on finds unsecured creditors' counsel was able to secure an increase payout.

Startup pharmaceutical Company as advisor to venture capital.

Venture Capital investor was concerned the Company did not have sufficient case to complete phase II trials.

Assessed current cash burn rate and developed a point of no return should the Company fail to raise extra capital as well as determining amount of cash reserves necessary to conduct and orderly liquidation.   The Company, through an addition of new capital tied to a series of cost containment measures, was able to complete its phase II trials.

Aerospace components manufacturer as advisor to the debtor.

Debtor was out of covenant, over line with negative cash flow,

Working with management I implemented a cash flow planning and control system enabling the business to meet operating obligations while paying down the over line.  The Company successfully entered into a forbearance agreement with the lender enabling renegotiation of a new three year agreement.

Construction project as advisor to lender.

Project had significant cost overruns and had look to lender to provide new subordinated funding.

Performed an initial assessment, which pointed out significant weaknesses in project management and control, resulting in the appointment of new project management and finance directors.  I was then retained to review and approve all future requisitions for funds from the lender and to oversee project management and control.

Nursing home as advisor to lender.

Debtor was in receivership and being sold through an auction process.

As advisor to the lender who was assessing as to whether to credit bid or accept a third party offer to purchase, I performed a business valuation of the business based on the net present value of the going concern on a normalized basis, which formed the basis of the lender's decision to accept the current offer to purchase.

Pharmaceutical packaging company as advisor to debtor.

Debtor was out of covenant, over line and losing money.

After working the debtor's management I implemented several measures to improve cash flow include the development of a thirteen-week cash flow model and replacement of the company's controller.  Negotiated a forbearance agreement with the existing lender which allowed the debtor with my assistance to successfully refinance with a new lender allowing full pay down of existing lender's obligations.

Flight training and aircraft leasing business as advisor to lender.

Debtor was in default on term loan secured by aircraft.

After an assessment of the net orderly liquidation value of the underlying collateral and ability of free cash flow to meet future loan payments, recommended that the lender liquidated the debtor's collateral. Lender was subsequently successful in securing full repayment of all outstanding obligations of the debtor.

Paper products manufacturer as advisor to lender.

Debtor failed to make payment commitments against purchase order financing.

After an assessment that the debtor's business would in all likelihood fail if there was not an infusion of equity and change in management, the lender was able to exit the business and paid in full.

Construction project management  as advisor to lender.

Debtor was out of covenants and lender had concerns over collateral.

After an assessment of the company's management and collateral basis, lender successfully negotiated a work out of the outstanding debt tie to accomplishment of specific milestones on the part of borrower per my recommendations.

Glazing contractor as advisor to lender

Debtor was out of covenants and lender had concerns over collateral.

After assessment of work processes and collateral basis, lender successfully renegotiated facility into new term and revolver with additional collateral requirements.

Synthetic textile greige goods manufacturer and finisher as advisor to lender and debtor.

Lender required a follow on assessment to after initially granting of credit facility.

Based on my assessment of business's continued improved performance and overall condition of collateral, lender agreed to increase facility and expand borrowing base.  Subsequently I was retained by the debtor and successfully arranged a $15 million replacement credit facility.

Healthcare staffing business as advisor to debtor.

Debtor had defaulted due to accounting anomalies relating to accounts receivable used in determining the borrowing base.

After assessment of internal accounting controls, management and work process, recommended the secured creditor agree to grant a forbearance thereby allowing the Company to refinance with a new lender.

Fire suppression and protection contractor as advisor to debtor.

Debtor was in default on credit facility and wanted to do an out of court liquidation and restart as new business.

Successfully negotiated a standstill with secured creditor to allow debtor to start new business through transfer of the assets for consideration of assuming the old secured debt and certain unsecured debts.

Electrical contractor as advisor to lender.

Debtor was out of covenants and repeatedly in overdraft.

After assessment of management, work processes, projects' cost to complete and collateral, recommended that lender obtain additional security or request the debtor refinance with new lender.  Business was successful refinanced.

Mechanical contractor as advisor to debtor.

Business was in position of default on a number of bonded projects for which shareholders had personal guarantees.

Successfully wound business down out of court and completed bonded projects within contract balances.

Security and answering services business as advisor to trustee.

Sudden death of owner uncovered a severe liquidity crisis resulting in a court appoint trustee.

Gained control of operations and cash flows to stabilize the business long enough to conduct a successful 363 sale of the business resulting in full pay down of secured lenders.

Not for profit foster care provider as advisor to debtor.

Cutbacks in state and city funding jeopardized the viability of business.

Worked with the debtor to arrange a standstill with lender in order to allow time to sale real property to pay down debt.

Fencing fabricator and erector as advisor to lender.

Company was in default on its loan obligations and lender was requiring an out of court liquidation

Secured and confirmed lender's collateral from inventory, receivables and equipment.  Uncovered potential of fraudulent transfers by the owner.

Textile finisher and greige goods weaver as liquidator.

After 363 process failure due to lack of market interest lender forced the company into chapter 7 and then retained the lender to liquidate inventory, receivables and real property.

Secured all lender collateral and collected eighty per cent of outstanding receivables, liquidated inventory and arranged for auction of real property.

Synthetic textile greige goods weaver and finisher as advisor to lender.

Current provider of revolver demanded to be refinanced.  Retained by prospective lender to assess viability.

Based on assessment of the management, work processes and market prospective the lender extended a new $10 million replacement facility.

Textile finisher and greige goods weaver as CRO for the debtor.

Late stage failure with cash and business crisis.  Significantly over line and out of covenants.

After initial assessment, recommended that business file for chapter 11 and proceed with 363 sales processes. Appointed by court as responsible person to approve all administrative expenditures.  Instituted cost cutting measures to achieve cash natural position during reorganization process to allow sufficient time for 363 process.

B2B internet service provider as chief restructuring officer.

.com bust of 1999/2001 compounded by 9-11 events resulted in collapse of B funding round.

Developed turnaround plan that resulted in business self-sufficiency, negotiated standby LOC and extension with major creditors. Actively pursuing a buyer for the business.

Manufacturer of electric motors, blowers and gear motors as chief executive office.

Failure of vendor supplied component lead to product recall for over 400K defective blowers with a potential cost of $40 million.

Contained final cost to $10 million which was fully recovered from supplier of defective component, without losing goodwill or a single customer.

Motion control company as chief restructuring officer.

Company had loss money for past five years.

Planned and executed the turnaround of a $1.5 million loss to a pretax profit exceeding 15% of sales, then orchestrated sale of   business for at 2.5 times book value.

Systems integrator and components manufacturer as CRO.

Late stage financial crisis, company facing closure and pending, market meltdown.

Sold company to sole competitor and negotiated transfer of exclusive license with DEC that was heretofore not transferable.


© Copyright 2007-2008 Elm City Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.
Joseph L. Palazzi, President • 91 William Street • New Haven, CT 06511
Tel: (203) 789-1711 • Cell: (203) 887-5172 • Fax: (203) 789-0524
jpalazzi@elmcitypartnersllc.com