road building contractor

$45M Revenue

Company Overview

The Company is a road-building contractor with the State's Department of Transportation ("DOT") as its primary customer. It also sells ready-mix concrete to customers located near its headquarters and ready-mix plant. During non-construction season, the Company provides commercial snow removal services.

The Company is family-owned, with the 3rd and 4th generations active in day-to-day operations and decision-making.

Engagement Overview

The Company engaged Fort Dearborn Partners, Inc. ("FDP") to review and adjust its 13-week cash flow and financial forecast. FDP also identified opportunities to improve the Company's profitability and cash flow.

The Company generated $3.65M of net income the previous year on $62M of revenue.  For the current year, the Company had forecasted a net loss of $5.2M on roughly $25M in revenue.  Additionally, the Company expected negative cash flows of approximately $1.7M from September through December, and management anticipated potential cash needs exceeding $4M through April the following year, with limited availability to borrow additional cash from their lender.

FDP prepared a 13-week cash flow to identify the extent of the cash burn. Additionally, FDP worked with management to immediately reduce expenses and negotiate contract dispute settlements, resulting in nearly $2.5M of immediate cash inflows. Management negotiated 6-month lease payment deferrals, resulting in a $200 thousand to $300 thousand reduction in near-term cash disbursements.

Finally, FDP worked with management on PPP loans and rounds 1 and 2 of the Employee Retention Tax credits (ERC), which boosted cash flows.

Results

Entering the following construction season, the Company was well positioned with roughly $2M in cash and nearly $6M in borrowing availability.

The Company anticipated generating positive cash flows the following fiscal year through continued expense reduction.

FDP News

Jan - 25

FDP Advises Northern Wholesale Supply

Fort Dearborn Partners ("FDP" or "Fort Dearborn") is pleased to announce that we served as the sole financial advisor and investment banker to Northern... Read More

Oct - 23

Max Bechtel and Austin Curtis join Fort Dearborn Partners

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Fort Dearborn Team, Max Bechtel and Austin Curtis.

Read More