The Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC) referred two clients to the Southeastern office, both of whom suffered a tremendous loss of revenue and were negatively impacted by foreign competition in the housing industry. SEWN is working with both companies to restructure their resources and to redefine their existence in a new market reality. SEWN is creating new financial models focused on maximizing cash flow. SEWN is also working with the customers to stabilize their workforces and realign the production work flow.
A Northeastern Pennsylvania manufacturer of precision engineered metal components supplies a variety of industries including Electronics, Defense, Telecommunications, Aerospace, and Automotive. SEWN is working with the company to create an accurate budgeting tool and a current cash-flow analysis in order to accurately capture the company's financial data for refinancing the company's debt. SEWN has also laid the groundwork for further improvements to the company's business plan, staffing, and operations. Once completed, these improvements will enable SEWN to work with the company to create new market opportunities for their products.
A Central Pennsylvania manufacturer of custom wood cabinets suffered from the housing slump and off-shore competition. SEWN conducted a business review and provided a financial forecasting model with benchmarking metrics to more accurately measure costs and productivity. SEWN also assisted the company with its successful Mid-Atlantic Trade Adjustment Act grant application for marketing assistance. With the $75,000 matching grant, the company was able to upgrade its website and undertake a new marketing initiative.
A Western Pennsylvania manufacturer of wood pellets used for fuel watched its sales volume and operating margins drop due to a decrease in the price of home heating oil and an increase in the cost of wood byproducts. SEWN assisted the company with the exploration of new market opportunities for its product - namely in selling pellets to the natural gas industry for use as an absorbent. Unlike the home heating market, the natural gas market is not seasonal. The steady cash flow has enabled the company to stabilize and to explore other new uses for its product.
Since its inception in 1993, The Strategic Early Warning Network has contributed to the retention and revival of more than 700 industrial enterprises within Pennsylvania, impacting more than 18,000 jobs. SEWN assists manufacturers throughout the state who are struggling to grow or improve the competitiveness of their business. SEWN provides professional and confidential turnaround, financial, and investment services to small- and middle-market firms employing 25-500 workers through the following core services: Financial Restructuring, Operational Restructuring and Cost Management, Ownership Transition and Buyouts, High Performance Workplaces, and New Market Opportunities. All of SEWN’s services are provided free of charge, and all information provided is handled in strict confidence. For additional information, please contact your local SEWN office.
The Strategic Early Warning Network is a program of the Steel Valley Authority in partnership with the PA Department of Labor and Industry.
