Operational Due Diligence
We conduct a quick but thorough expert review of existing and prospective operating value and vulnerabilities of the target company, providing an edge in the buying process – avoiding “bad deals” and finding “hidden diamonds”. Our deep operations expertise enables us to identify issues and find value where others often can not. We incorporate our operations and industry expertise and a highly analytical approach to create the clearest picture possible of the target and a solid understanding of future operations requirements (e.g., investment, KPIs, skill base) to maximize value capture. We then offer pragmatic and value-driven recommendations to maximize investment potential and a top- level roadmap to jump start operations improvements post-acquisition.
Validating Management's Operations Plan and Identifying Additional Savings at Customized Consumer Products Company
Identified $35-45MM in cost reduction opportunities, 2-3x management’s savings plan, giving our client an edge to win the auction. Despite very limited access to the target’s management, plants, and data due to the nature of the auction, Gotham was able to leverage dataroom information, a plant visit, and our relevant experience to build a solid fact base of the target’s cost structure – including a detailed 4-year line-item-level view of the operational cost structure and an analysis of 2,000-employee workforce linking each individual to the specific cost line in the cost structure – and to both validate and expand savings opportunities via a comprehensive outsourcing/consolidation model and an analysis of sales, marketing, customer service, and G&A costs.
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Establishing Quick Read On Cost Savings at National Coffee Roaster and Distributor
Conducted 2-week operations assessment of target to establish initial read on cost reduction opportunities. Despite limited access to the target’s management, plants, and operations data, Gotham was able to create a clear picture of the target’s cost structure in both operations and its DSD network. While the cost reduction opportunities needed to achieve our client’s financial target did exist, capturing those savings posed significant culture and business strategy challenges. Given the high valuation of the target and the significant hurdles standing in the way of savings, the client leveraged our work to make a fact-based decision at the early stage of the process to exit the auction process.
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Rapidly Validating Margin Improvement Opportunities and Assessing Capacity/CapEx Risk at Testing Services Provider
Conducted 2-week operational due diligence to validate margin improvement opportunities and assess capacity/CapEx risk. Gotham visited 7 facilities and conducted full-day operations review with management to understand operations management approach/processes and visions/plans moving forward. To fill gaps in this data poor situation, we performed various in-depth analyses – recasting labor cost structure, analyzing job-level data to understand profitability, building a bottom-up labor utilization and fixed cost model to project margins with revenue growth, etc. Gotham’s due diligence work enabled our client to move forward with confidence and successfully acquire target in a proprietary deal.
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Identifying and Quantifying Potential Network and Standalone Improvements at Specialty Jewelry Manufacturer and Printer
Conducted diagnostic to identify areas of opportunity and potential value of operational initiatives. Identified $6-8MM opportunities in jewelry manufacturing and $4-6MM in book printing via application of lean manufacturing, automation, improved customer service, and network optimization. Established a 100-day plan to jump start the opportunity capture. Post-acquisition, using 100-day plan, management able to migrate manufacturing to lower cost countries, outsource product finishing, and close an underperforming facility, leading to the capture of the outlined savings within 12 months.
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Deciphering and Controlling Outsourced Distribution Cost Structures at Medical Products Ecommerce Retailer
Modeled the warehouse, outbound freight, inventory, and inbound freight cost structures of a 3rd-party logistics company in the midst of contract renegotiations and a move to a new warehouse. Identified $1.3MM in financial exposure and weaknesses in contracted outbound freight pricing which drove operational instability, resulting in a 22% reduction in the acquisition price.
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Positioning the Buyer for a Fact-based Bid and Subsequent Rapid Savings Capture at Leading Direct Marketing Company
Identified $14-29MM in relatively easily achievable savings (sourcing, freight, and catalog opportunities, along with a $26-37MM potential from inventory reduction), which collectively far exceeded management projections. Due diligence scope included China sourcing costs, outbound freight, catalog printing/mailing costs, call center operations, warehousing and inventory. Client, a mega-PE firm, won this hotly-contested auction. After deal closure, helped management team capture identified opportunities.
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