After years of growth, a SoCal-based aerospace manufacturer landed a 20-year contract with a major client. Unfortunately, they lacked the working capital to fulfill the contract and an uncooperative lender was blocking new financing efforts. We stepped in and refinanced their loans, replaced the existing lender, and provided a term loan to provide the liquidity they needed to reach higher and achieve greater success.
A family-owned North Carolina machine shop made castings for agricultural equipment. Business was good until an increase in raw materials took a chunk out of their profits, and another company undercut their price. The company had a plan to rebound but needed money to get there, so took out an ill-advised high interest loan. This only made things worse. Fortunately, BSC came in and refinanced the existing loans, dramatically reducing the company’s monthly payment burden.
The owners of an oilfield trucking business just north of Oklahoma City were retiring. They found a potential buyer, but the current owners’ disorganized accounting practices scared away traditional lenders. Fortunately, the interested buyers came to BSC. We relied on our expertise to appraise the company’s equipment and provided a $1.5M loan. We also brought in a second lender to provide accounts receivable financing, helping the buyers keep the entire staff of 70+ employees and continue operations uninterrupted.
A manufacturer of graphite products had a division that was distracting them from their core business, and they needed a way out. PPL Group, BSC and our partners purchased the entire division, comprised of five facilities in the U.S. and Italy. This included approximately 2 million sq. ft. of manufacturing space, ISO molding, extrusion equipment, inventory and real estate. We funded multiple buyers who purchased four of the plants. After holding an auction for the surplus equipment in the fifth plant, we financed another buyer to step into the right-sized operation and restart the facility.
A generics pharmaceutical campus which included liquid manufacturing filling capabilities and a distribution warehouse was up for sale. They struggled to find a strategic buyer, and after two years on the market they needed some relief. PPL Group and BSC provided it. We purchased the entire 110-acre campus, including three facilities totaling more than 800,000 sq. ft. We then conducted a series of auctions for select equipment and Big Shoulders Capital funded a contract manufacturer to lease the liquids building and equipment.
Bankruptcy doesn’t have to be the end—it can also be a new beginning. A broadcasting tower construction company filed for Chapter 11 and faced a mountain of IRS debt. We provided a $1.5MM loan so the debtor could refinance their existing debt, pay down the IRS, and grow the business. As a result, the company is facing a promising future.
A Pennsylvania co-packer, producer and transporter of organic food filed for bankruptcy. They were looking to reorganize and refinance existing debt and needed operating capital to complete current orders and generate more business. Our $1.2MM loan did just that, and helped put them back on solid footing to re-grow their business.
A Texas-based trucking company serving the oilfield industry filed for Chapter 11. Their senior secured lender was a local bank looking for a way out. With our familiarity and knowledge of the industry we purchased the bank’s $2.5MM position. The bank recouped its loan and exited the bankruptcy, and we had a new, promising addition loaded to our portfolio.
Big Shoulders Capital provided acquisition financing to a demolition company that wanted to take advantage of an investment opportunity but did not have time to solicit traditional financing. We quickly became familiar with and accepted the terms, and provided funding so the company could complete their transaction.
Big Shoulders Capital provided a loan to an equipment rental company that had recently filed for bankruptcy. Because of the bankruptcy, the company could not find any lenders to provide working capital and fund equipment purchases. We recognized the opportunity in this business and were able to provide a loan when no other lender could.
Big Shoulders Capital worked with a large manufacturer to take out their very fatigued lender. By providing this funding solution, the company avoided liquidation, retained their employees, and ultimately refinanced with another lender. The lender was able to quickly appreciate a great recovery and avoid further distractions and expenses. We were uniquely positioned to provide this lending solution for the manufacturer and bank when other companies could not.
An Illinois-based landscaping contractor was on the verge of foreclosure from its secured lender. They desperately needed debt relief. BSC bought the loan, giving the business the time they needed to craft a succession plan and map a more profitable future. Today, the business thrives; BSC recently provided funding to the second generation of owners to continue and expand operations.
A multiple-location wastewater treatment company needed funding to purchase new equipment. We worked with a private equity company to quickly provide the cash infusion they needed. Today, they not only have new equipment, but that equipment is running a proprietary treatment process that is breaking new ground in the industry.
After a drop in demand from its energy clients and a change of ownership at its bank, a steel fabrication business suddenly found itself struggling. Big Shoulders Capital quickly provided a $3MM term loan alongside the existing lender’s mortgage and line of credit, providing a working capital injection to help the business get back on its feet. The company soon stabilized and was able to pay back the entire loan within just 12 months.
Big Shoulders Capital closed on a refinancing solution to support over 200 jobs at a New York woodworking manufacturer that has been an important employer in the town for over 40 years. Despite the company having a challenging 2017, BSC was able to move very quickly to provide a Machinery and Equipment term Loan solution that helped the owner generate liquidity to fill current orders and allowed the existing bank to reduce their exposure. The banker was pleased to retain the client relationship and satisfy internal banking requirements. The company is thrilled to have additional working capital to keep up with customer demand.
With sales in a tailspin, the twenty-year-old minority-owned machining company couldn’t make their debt payments, and their bank called their loan in February 2017. Nearly the entire 30-person staff was laid off. Area banks refused to throw them a lifeline, wary of any company imperiled by the oil and gas market problems. They were on the brink of liquidation.
Then they called Big Shoulders Capital. Click here to view the case study.