Snack Foods
Customer & Market Due Diligence Of Better-For-You Sweet Treats Brand: Establishing Brand Positioning and Category Expansion Opportunity
Conducted a 3-week customer & market due diligence to establish the health and growth profile of the target’s current product categories and validate the target’s product category expansion opportunities. To this end, Gotham: analyzed retailer-/SKU-level NielsenIQ data; conducted a survey of over 2,500 consumers; and conducted interviews with key food retailers and distributors. Gotham’s in-depth analysis of the low/no-sugar sweet snacks market, the target’s brand positioning, and the target’s growth opportunities provided our client with the robust, reliable fact base needed to compete aggressively in this hotly-contested auction.
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Customer & Market And Operational Due Diligence Of Leading Processor Of Freeze-Dried Fruits: Rapid Assessment Of Technology, Competitive, Customer Concentration, And Operational Risks
Provided clarity on risks (technology, competitive, customer concentration, and operational), and growth opportunities ahead of bid. Through interviews with 30+ competitors (domestic and import), distributors, equipment suppliers, academic experts, and customers, and extensive secondary research, Gotham established: the applications and advantages/disadvantages of freeze-drying technology; the target’s positioning vs. domestic and international freeze-drying processors in South America, China and Europe; and the stability/growth of its top customers. Gotham’s analysis revealed while the market was growing and the target was well-positioned and poised for growth, it could potentially face increased competitive intensity and margin pressure. Our client accounted for all these risks and tempered growth projections in its model.
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Performance Tracking Tools at Leading Frozen Mexican Food Manufacturer: Helping New Management Make Fact-based Decisions
Constructed methodology and models to view profitability by customer, product, and channel. Results led new management to refocus product development/growth strategy on profitable products. Management succeeded in doubling revenue of profitable products and private equity owners sold firm to a strategic buyer in 3 years for a 26% compound annual return on investment.
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Operational Due Diligence of Family-owned Branded Ethnic Foods Manufacturer: Assessing Operational Scalability to Support Targeted Growth
Built operational performance fact base and cost model for due diligence of an entrepreneurial company. Effort included: first-hand observation of operations, management interviews, data collection and synthesis, equipment condition and capex requirement assessment, food safety review, and interviews with potential co-packers. Established that: the existing plant can meet the buyer's target of growing the business 2-3X current volume; identified 5-6 viable and interested co-packers; identified opportunities to reduce cost per case by 16-17.5%; and provided a road map for improving operations. The PE firm is in process of closing the deal.
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Operational Due Diligence of Leading Cookie Franchiser: Assessing Operations-related Acquisition Risks
Conducted 1-week operational due diligence of ingredient manufacturing operations for a quick-service franchise company, targeting labor practices, safety and environmental compliance, and inventory practices. Reviewed of labor policies, including work rules, attendance policies, and basic compliance with overtime, lunch, and break rules. Determined that the facility had solid risk management operations, and recommended minor improvements in quality assurance and material handling. The PE firm purchased the company and followed through on recommendations from operational due diligence.
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Manufacturing Operations Improvements at Healthy Baked Goods Company: Implementing Measurement/Tracking/Reporting To Build Cost Discipline And Capture Material And Labor Cost Savings
Identified $1.1-1.6MM in cost reduction opportunities in materials, labor, and freight. Launched a fact-based cost-reduction program including ingredient measurement and feedback system, a system for fixed labor standards based on rated line speeds, goal boards to manage productivity targets/performance, and a performance measurement and reporting system.
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