Projects
Import and Distribution Case Studies
Hügel Point 2 Point Navigation
Hügel Point 2 Point Navigation
Ivory, an import & distribution company started by Naim in 2011, was approached by an electronics manufacturer with a prototype GPS, similar to those manufactured by TomTom and Garmin. The manufacturer hoped to market this product in the United States. Ivory conducted its due-diligence, analyzing supply and demand for this technology and entered into a partnership with Hügel. Based on Ivory’s input the GPS device was modified slightly, and an antenna with a stronger signal was inculcated. The device was also streamlined, making it thinner. The quality of its components was upgraded and the packaging was re-designed to better cater to an American market.
Since tourists were another important demographic, Ivory recommended adding a worldwide SD card to allow for greater travel flexibility (its competitors required an SD card purchase for each region). Tourists could now purchase a Point 2 Point device in the US and use it wherever they travelled. In short, a better quality product was produced and could be sold at 20% below its competitors, which drastically increased sales. Major retailers such as J&R Music and Computer World immediately realized the value of the product and place a considerable order, which they paid for upfront.
At the time, Ivory had no background in electronics or engineering, yet it still found a way to identify an opportunity and create significant value in a sector it was previously uninvolved in.
SHENTE: Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene, is a high tech material used in such specialized products as bullet proof vests, mooring ropes and even surgical grade threads. Foreign companies were importing a manufacturer’s material under their own label and the manufacturer wanted to break into the U.S. market, using their own brand name. Ivory was brought on board to open the U.S. market. After a due diligence period Ivory, determined the specialized needs of users in the United States and agreed to open the market and formulate a strategy. In order to meet American standards, Ivory partnered with the manufacturer as well as a local municipality in China to construct a new facility. This enabled the manufacturer to upgrade its production methods and produce high quality products catering to specific demands in the United States. Ivory also filed for patents in the U.S. & Europe based on additions made to the original product. After the construction period and vigorous testing by American companies, Ivory began marketing the product directly to end-users. The company’s success earned the ire of the leading manufacturers whose patents had expired a number of years earlier. The largest manufacturer began a patent battle hoping to drain Ivory’s funds through a protracted legal battle. In order to circumvent shouldering these immense legal costs, Ivory partnered with a large competitor in the space and ultimately prevailed.
RESULT: In 2013, Ivory stabilized distribution channels and created systems/ an environment that allowed Shente to produce recurring revenue and run profitably without Ivory needing to remain as a “hands-on” partner.
SHENTE: Ultra High
Molecular Weight
Polyethylene
Real Estate Advisory Case Studies
Re-Structure: The Beverly Hills Suites & Windsor’s Lounge, Hartford, CT (2008-2011)
An opportunity presented itself for Naim to restructure a 260 room hotel near Hartford, CT and he was given complete autonomy to run the project. Following his study of the local community, Naim decided to introduce a radically different approach to the standard franchise hotel model. His research had revealed that the 30 mile radius surrounding the hotel was entertainment dead zone and, for a night out, locals were required to travel over 75 miles.
He therefore decided to reposition the hotel so that it would no longer cater exclusively to guests looking for short-term stays.
Naim and his team transformed the hotel into an entertainment center providing a variety of services including a nightclub, special events, food & beverage service, sleeping accommodations, afternoon brunches and more.
The addition of these services/programs transformed the hotel into an epicenter for entertainment frequented by the local community.
RESULT: Within 18 months, Naim and his team raised the available room revenue by 20%. They also increased top line revenue by 30% as a result of the income attributed to the entertainment revenue streams. After 3 years, the hotel had considerably increased year-over-year revenue which enabled a considerable refinance event whereby the owner earned 2.5x on his initial investment.
Real Estate Advisory
Project #1
Real Estate Advisory
Project #2
Joint Venture between landowner and publicly traded construction company.
After sourcing a property for sale in Midtown West, Manhattan, the Edison team brought it to market for sale as a hotel development site. The challenge was a landlord who wished to minimize his tax exposure but did not favor a 1031 exchange. After careful consideration, a joint venture was suggested between the landlord and a potential developer. The landlord was conscientious about environmental issues and wanted a partner who felt the same. Through its network, Edison located a publicly traded construction company that specialized in modular construction. Their carbon footprint was cut by half while providing comparable quality at a discounted price. After striking a deal between the two parties, the developer bought into the property at a discounted price compared to its intrinsic market value. The deal size was $22 million dollars. The landlord would receive cash and pay minimum taxes, accomplishing his goal of minimizing tax exposure, while being a partner in the project as it moved forward.
Washington Heights Building Sale
Routinely canvassing on foot, Naim came across a vacant & dilapidated corner building, with a large footprint. Typically finding the property owner and/or note holders on such a property is fairly routine. However, in this instance, the property owner had passed without any heir and the note holder on the property, a bank, has been closed as a result of the great recession. To further complicate the situation, the deceased note holder had taken over 100% financing on the property and defaulted, in addition to the property was accruing fines, liens and violations to an exorbitant amount as a result of its neglect.
Naim was able to find the current note holder, a bank in North Carolina, who had inherited the note from the closed bank and had never entered it into their book because it was done by paper.
From there Naim was able to guide the bank through the foreclosure process, help them alleviate the many encumbrances, and present them with an investor who would buy the note and foreclose on the property. In essence Naim found the bank free money. After Naim’s investor took over the property, he sold it a 12 months later with approved building plans for 2x the investor investment, 100% profit.
Real Estate Advisory
Project #3
Investment/Merchant Banking Case Studies
Investment Banking
SABR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC (2018-2020)
SABR provides capital markets advisory services to public and private companies. It works closely with investors who wish to conduct due-diligence and take a deep dive into these types of companies. To do this SABR works hand-in-hand with high level executives of companies providing them with:
Valuation analysis
Market data analytics
Objective assessments
Negotiating service provider contracts
Competitive analysis
Optimize executive summary investor presentation
Market awareness
Go-public strategies
Strategic advice coupled with business development to maximize shareholder value
Case study: European technology company
Naim headed the team that worked directly with a Milan, Italy based company which provided cloud marketing technology. Although profitable with strong fundamentals, their stock was trading at a discount compared to similar companies because they were listed in Europe on an AIM exchange, a submarket of the London Stock Exchange. Naim’s Advisory team approached the company and engaged them as a client. This involved the team showcasing the company at a leading investor conference in Los Angeles. After demonstrating their technology at this event, the team presented them with an action plan to raise their stock price to comparable levels. From the time their relationship began, the company’s shares almost doubled, rising from €2.20 to €4.15.
Investment Banking Case Study #1
Case Study