When companies seek to expand or confront challenges requiring adaptable and responsive financing, Gibraltar Business Capital (“GBC”) stands ready to provide a solution. Our financing partnerships are more than just providing funds; they are also about deeply understanding borrower businesses, devising innovative strategies to unlock liquidity, and guiding companies toward their goals. We focus on positioning our clients for a wider range of financing options, including a return to traditional bank financing when the time is right.
Our commitment to business diligence is a cornerstone of our approach. By thoroughly researching a company, we gain a comprehensive understanding of its unique financial and structural situation, identifying untapped assets and potential areas for growth. The input and guidance of our experienced leadership team further enrich this process. Our ultimate measure of success is when our partnering companies achieve stability and graduate to a point where they can explore a wider range of financing options.
Gibraltar’s nearly four-year partnership with Formetco showcases this approach and the following success. Formetco is a pioneer in developing innovative digital and hardware products for the outdoor advertising industry and a market leader in designing, manufacturing, and installing digital LED displays for sports venues. The leadership team at Formetco first approached Gibraltar when traditional lending institutions could not support the firm’s growth potential and unique financing needs.
“Gibraltar’s financing allowed us to expand our operations, leverage our line, and increase our inventory to meet new demands. This flexibility was instrumental in our ability to gain market share,” explains Matt Xander, President and CEO of Formetco.
We originally featured the partnership in a video series focused on the value of partnering with Gibraltar. Just four years later, we reconnected with Xander to discuss his experience with Gibraltar in the years between funding and the transition back to bank financing.
Q: How was your experience between starting your relationship with Gibraltar and returning to bank financing?
A: I have to tell you – they have a team of smart and savvy people. Of course, they’ve got to protect their assets and dig in, but the questions they asked helped us manage our business better. They often opened our eyes to potential opportunities or problems to get in front of before they became bigger problems. Todd Seehase managed our account, and I can’t say enough about how great he was as a partner and advisor to us throughout our years with GBC.
Q: Did you experience any obstacles or challenges along the way?
A: There can be challenges with any business and lending relationship, particularly when a company is growing as rapidly as Formetco has over the last few years. We maintained close communication, and Gibraltar proved to be a true partner.
Q: What was your experience like returning to traditional bank financing?
A: Everyone in the asset-based industry says their goal is to transition your company back to bank financing. I believe with Gibraltar, it’s heartfelt—through the organization. They were comfortable with that conversation and helped us through the transition process. I would recommend Gibraltar to anyone looking for a financial partner.
If you’d like to experience the Gibraltar difference and write your company’s success story, contact us today to learn more about your financing options.
