FRUIT PROCESSING COMPANY
Financial and operational assessment and turnaround for $75 million privately owned fruit drying company. Partnering with financial turnaround firm, AMG assessed all operational and manufacturing practices and results, and took on role of VP Operations during period of restructuring.
RESULTS: On January 31, 2012, AMG was awarded the M&A Advisor 2012 Turnaround of the Year and M&A Advisor 2012 Industrial Manufacturing/ Distribution Deal of the Year for the success of this assignment: Changed fruit purchasing practices to align with actual demand patterns rather than fruit availability. Significantly changed very large equipment changeover times to drive flexibility – from 130 hour changeovers to 48 hours, and continuing to improve. Avoided $4.5 million purchase of new freezer by designing experiments to determine abrasion settings for a variety of temperatures of fruit. Applied lean methods to packing and shipping processes. Assisting with British Retail Consortium (BRC Issue 5) Food Safety Standards conformance and audit preparation, as required by certain customers. Returned company to profitability after 8 months, with full backing and support of incumbent bank ($30 million credit with one bank).