DUKE&KAY LEAD THE TURNAROUND OF A COMPANY IN THE CERAMIC SECTOR, ALLOWING THE COMPANY TO GET OUT OF A DIFFICULT FINANCIAL SITUATION

Situation

Historical company in the ceramic sector. After the founder’s death, the family members began to debate very hard. In the meantime, the deep economic recession caused a sharp drop in turnover (from 70M€ to 25M€ in 4 years), even caused by their bad business management on both industrial and commercial strategies. These brought the company really close to bankruptcy. However, even if damaged by the distressed situation, the trademark was still well recognized in the market.

Duke&Kay activity

Banks were extremely nervous and ready to stop any financial support to the company. For them the risk related to the debt recovery was very high. The Owners, aware of it, asked D&K intervention, as the last chance to solve the troubles.

After the appropriate due diligence, Duke&Kay selected the Executive team with the most appropriate skills to cope with the distressed situation and able to implement a credible and sustainable business plan to be presented to stakeholders … and then executed.

A Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Controller, an Operations Manager and a HR Manager (to manage Unions) immediately started to drive the restoration plan. Recovery planned in a 2 years project.

Results

In a few months the situation changed widely: the restructuring plan has been regularly overcome, the agreements with banks and other creditors have been reached in the first 6 months. Operational results dramatically improved and the turnover of the company moved from 25M€ to 42M€ in 24 months, EBITDA from -6M€ to +4,8M€. New shareholders have been identified, banks and suppliers are nowadays supporting the company.