WELCOME !

Thanks for dropping in for some hopefully great business info and on occasion some hopefully not too sarcastic comments on the state of Business Financing in Canada and what we are doing about it !

In 2004 I founded 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL. At that time I had spent all my working life, at that time - Over 30 years in Commercial credit and lending and Canadian business financing. I believe the commercial lending landscape has drastically changed in Canada. I believe a void exists for business owners and finance managers for companies, large and small who want service, creativity, and alternatives.

Every day we strive to consistently deliver business financing that you feel meets the needs of your business. If you believe as we do that financing solutions and alternatives exist for your firm we want to talk to you. Our purpose is simple: we want to deliver the best business finance solutions for your company.



Monday, June 13, 2016

Cash Flow Sources In Canada: The Best Working Capital Finance Solution?









Finally! Putting Cash Flow Solution Sources Concerns To Bed








OVERVIEW - Information on cash flow sources in Canada. The best working capital finance solution is a combination of internal operating efficiencies and understand and accessing true corporate solutions that fund current assets







The working capital finance solution for your business is all about ' quicker access' to cash flow sources. The challenge? Where to find those solutions and which work best for your company? Let's dig in.

The fuel for your firm’s survival and growth is of course cash flow. It covers operating expenses and positions your business for growing sales/revenues.

There are of course a number of external methods to raise cash that are in our opinion more closely related to owner personal financials - for that reasons they are not on our ' highly recommended ' list . They include
family and friends loans, collapsing personal investments, reliance on credit cards, collateralized home mortgages. Etc. Again, they all deliver but with a heavy reliance on owner commitment. Naturally the main reasons businesses incorporate is to minimize personal risk, not add to it. Enough said.

Many businesses have existing assets that can either

be sold

be refinanced (via sale leasebacks, etc )

The sale lease back option is in fact a very viable permanent working capital solution for any business.

We've often referred to internal methods to enhance cash flow - they should not be forgotten - they include: getting deposits from clients, deferred payables to the extent you can.

The true essence of working capital in your business always comes back to both receivables and inventories A/R financing, often called ' factoring ' is the poster boy model for a cash flow solution. The ability to cash flow your sales as you generate them has a huge appeal to the thousands of Canadian businesses that utilize this method of financing.

What many business owners/financial managers don't understand is that the actual cost of A/R financing, if you're collecting your receivables promptly is in the 1 - 1/5% ranges.

If your firm has good A/R turnover and decent gross margins that's a small price to pay for virtually ' unlimited' cash flow. By the way, our recommended solution is CONFIDENTIAL RECEIVABLE FINANCING, allow businesses to bill and collect their accounts receivable, fund them, with no notice to any customers, suppliers, etc.

By the way, large and successful corporations utilize this method of financing too - in some cases they dress up the name and call it ' securitization. At the end of the day it's still a sales financing solution.

If you're focused on ' cash flow success' seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success
who can put those working capital worries ' to bed'!

Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing. Info & Contact Details :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

7 Park Avenue Financial

South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8


Direct Line
= 416 319 5769

Office
= 905 829 2653


Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.







Sunday, June 12, 2016

Business Financing In Canada : Expansion Finance & Loan Alternatives











Looking For That Year Round All Seasons Business Financing ? Here’s Where!



OVERVIEW - Information on expansion finance solutions in Canada. Business financing and funding needs revolve around your ability to identify the right type of loan and bank or commercial non bank lender for your growth needs




Business financing
in Canada often involves the need for expansion finance solutions. What is the type of loan and funding that makes growing your company work. In a perfect world
(apparently it's not) the business owner/financial mgr is seeking a year round, can we call it ' all seasons ' funding. Let's dig in.

The challenge around the size and type of funding your business need revolves around both your current needs as well as the foresight in assessing future needs. If you talk to many owners/mgrs in the SME COMMERCIAL FINANCE world it in fact often seems like a full time job!

Can the bank or other commercial lenders provide you with the financing resources you need? We of course maintain there are the right solution/solutions out there; the trick is identifying your different loan options. Identifying the option of course then creates another challenge - which business lender can best meet your needs. That's the part about understanding the proper qualifications for different types of business loan and cash flow strategies.

Given that the majority of businesses selling to other businesses don't operate on a cash basis (retailers excluded of course) the typical needs of an expanding business include salaries, carrying inventories and accounts receivable, as well as acquiring new assets.

Unfortunately in business there's rarely a ' straight line ' so cash needs fluctuate in the short and intermediate term.

Canadian banks, commercial finance companies, and even the Govt (via the Guaranteed Small Business Loan - max to 1 Million) play key roles in providing those solutions.

Funding solutions for business expansion include:

A/R financing

Inventory Loans

SR&ED Bridge loans

Commercial business credit lines/ term loans

SBL loans (The Govt guarantees and underwrites the majority of your loan)

Equipment financing

Sale Leasebacks

Asset based bridge loans and asset based revolving credit lines

Royalty Finance

P O Financing

Unsecured cash flow loans


Not to confuse things each of the above types of financing will have you considering different key issues for the type of loan or asset monetization you need.

The most critical issues include: loan term/length, amount of funds required, collateral, personal guarantees,

For a growing company it will often be the case that a combination of finance solutions is required. That's because growing sales will necessitate financing around credit line needs, fixed asset financing, term finance.

If you're looking for that ' all seasons' finance solution seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your capital needs.


Stan Prokop
- founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing. Info & Contact Details :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8


Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653


Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.




Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Business Financing & Capital Sources In Canada : Loans & Cash Flow Solutions That Work












Is The Business Financing Challenge Stifling Your Growth ? Sources of Capital 101




OVERVIEW – Information on business financing solutions in Canada. Knowing which capital sources suit your company when it comes to loans and cash flow finance will make or break your company





Business Financing in Canada or notably, lack thereof has this tremendous ability to stifle busing growth and opportunities. What then are the capital sources that can get you new, growing, or mature business back on track? Let's dig in.

Business capital sources often means different things to different folks. The equity in your business is often made up of assets, both fixed and liquid (receivables / inventory, etc) and the proper mgmt of them should allow you to meeting your financing and sales targets.

Naturally ' debt ' is not capital and the term ' sources of capital ' is often misunderstood. One top expert has been quoted as saying that banks and commercial lenders love their money more than they do your business... and that's probably correct.

The challenge to business owners and financial mgrs is to undertake loans and cash flow monetization solutions that can be repaid, even when times are tight. Lines of credit should be used as day to day liquidity - using them as a long term capital fix is not the right thing to do.

The best businesses that are ' ripe ' for financing solutions are those that understand the true way that cash ' flows' through their business. Your ability to have a strong handle on both historic cash flow as well as your forecast is key to assessing the right financing solution.

By the way, there might be more financing solutions out that than you might think available. They include:

A/R Financing

Inventory Loans

Short Term Working Capital Loans

Bank credit lines / term loans

Equipment Finance/Leasing

Sale Leasebacks of owned assets

Non bank asset based lines of credit

SR&ED Tax Credit Loans

Unsecured Cash Flow Loans

Govt Guaranteed Small Business Loans (New max = $1,000,000.00)

If you're feeling ' stifled' around your ability to access cash flow and loan solutions that work for you now and in the future seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success who can assist you with your needs.




Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing. Info & Contact Details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com



7 Park Avenue Financial

South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8



Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office
= 905 829 2653


Email
= sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.







Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Business Cash Flow Financing In Canada: Improving & Understanding Loan Access & Availability











Unlocking Business Cash Flow Financing




OVERVIEW – Information on business cash flow financing solutions in Canada. Understand loans and working capital solutions is all about these key cash flow drivers






Business cash flow financing often requires some ' straight talk ‘. The ability to finance your company properly is one of the most powerful success forces in Canadian business. But how does the business owner/financial mgr determine where new cash flow and working capital will come from, and where it went? Let's dig in.

There is in fact a very harsh and simple reality around your business cash flows. The answer ? You've simple bought assets, or generated new assets such as receivables and inventory via monies spent.

There is a natural flow in business - it's all about paying down your debt, keeping taxes up to date, building working capital assets, and generating and taking profits

How does the owner/mgr make the right choices in raising funding for your business and keeping your financials understandable - i.e. understanding where the cash in your business is ' flowing '.

Many firms are challenged by low owner equity, which compounds the owners ability to take cash out of the company.

Is there a simple secret to managing and financing your cash flow? The pros call this whole process ' operating cash flow ' it’s simply your profit or loss for the month plus or minus your changes in working capital accounts - we’re back to those receivables and inventories again.

External financing for your business will come from either term debt of business credit lines. By the way those business revolving credit facilities will come from either a bank or alternately a commercial finance company offering asset based credit line facilities.

When it comes to business credit lines the facilities that are most manageable are those when the credit line fluctuates significantly. Banks or finance firms will always look more favorably on your ability to constantly draw done and replenish the facility via your receivable and inventory turnovers.

Assets that need to be financing in your business might include plant and equipment assets, vehicles, as well as technology / software etc. Here a term debt options such as lease financing will almost always make the most sense.

What's the bottom line in accessing outside funding and managing your balance sheet properly. We summarize as follows:

- Develop a strong sense of how cash flows in your business- a good cash flow forecast based on your historical inflows and outflows helps

- Ensure your provincial and federal taxes are paid on time- If you have tax arrears they can often be consolidated into a new re-financing of your business

- Determine your business line of credit needs - this is a critical area of business cash flow financing. Remember that Canadian chartered banks are NOT the only credit line providers

- Finance long term assets with long term leases or loans

- Focus on building equity in your business via good gross margins and profits
If you’re focused on accessing the right finance solutions for your business seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your long term funding and working capital needs.


Stan Prokop
- founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing. Info & Contact Details :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com



7 Park Avenue Financial

South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653


Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.




Buying A Business In Canada: How To Hedge Your Risk With Proper Company Financing & Loans That Fit
















Avoiding Egg On Your Face Financing Mistakes When Buying A Business




OVERVIEW - Information on loans and cash flow solutions for buying a business in Canada. Acquisition finance involves company financing that matches the balance sheet and prospects for the target company







Buying a business in Canada will often involve looking beyond the numbers when it comes to ensuring proper financing can be in place. It's not all about negotiating the sale price - it's also about the necessary finance solutions that must be put in place to ensure business survival and profitability. Let's dig in.

The pros of course call it ' due diligence’. For us it's a pretty basic common sense premise: ensuring sales, inventory, accounts receivable and accounts payable are all reasonable. Bottom line- the finance solutions tie together your plans for mgmt, mfg or delivering services, and marketing.

The essence of any business, large or small, is cash management. Working capital solutions for financing an existing business include:

A/R Financing/factoring

Bank revolving credit lines

Non bank asset based lines of credit

Inventory Financing

Tax Credit Financing

Small business govt guaranteed loans (maximum 1 Million $)


Firms that are not profitable or that have ' challenged' balance sheets will not qualify for what we call ' traditional' finance. These types of companies can't comply with the financial ratios and collateral demanded by our Canadian chartered banks. Almost all businesses that sell on credit, large or small, need some sort of business credit line.

Numerous alternative financing solutions are in fact available - but at the same time new owners/mgt must be able to address and talk to items such as gross margins, operating inefficiencies, etc.

Buying a business for ' all cash ' is almost never the option available to purchasers. Top experts tell us than not even a 1/3 of businesses purchased are done via ' all cash ‘. Unfortunately sellers like/want cash! More often than not the final structure of your transaction will be:

Owner Cash

External Financing

Vendor Take Back/Seller Financing (not always, but often)


‘ABL ' (Asset Based Lending) is often a solid solution for a business financing strategy. These types of facilities allow you to borrow heavily against inventory, accounts receivable and equipment/fixed assets.

One legal/technical issue often becomes a critical point in acquisition financing. That is the issue of ‘asset sales' vs. 'share sales'. From a buyers perspective asset sales tend to make more sense - sellers focus on share and tax strategies for selling their businesses. This can often complicate financing.

We've seen there are some critical issues that can make or break the success of financing a business purchase. Those issues include proper valuation pricing, debt load, working capital and cash flow financing challenges.

If you're focused on a winning deal and financing a business purchase properly seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your funding needs.



7 Park Avenue Financial

South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8


Direct Line =
416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653


Email
= sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.



Sunday, June 5, 2016

Buying A Business In Canada : Acquisition Financing

















Buying A Troubled ( Or Successful !) Company In Canada ? Finance Strategy 101




OVERVIEW - Information on buying a business in Canada . Numerous finance strategies and solutions exist for acquisition financing . Sources of capital are identified as well as understanding the differences between turnarounds and successful acquisitions







Acquiring an existing business in Canada
. Talk About Temptation! We’re talking about buying an existing business that's already profitable, or, on the other hand a firm that is challenged and due for your turnaround. In both cases current owners might be motivated to sell, but for different reasons!

How do firms for sale get themselves in trouble? Often it's lack of funding and too much existing debt, as opposed to operating problems which are a whole different kettle of fish.

Some immediate issues to look into are arrangements with current lenders. This is often the scenario of working capital being extremely limited due to the current financing structure.

There are numerous ' valuation techniques ' in establishing the right price for the business. If a business is already losing money and has poor or negative cash flows it's time to take a hard look at the assets.

The good news about existing assets is there are numerous financing strategies to assist in finalizing a transaction these solutions include:

The Govt of Canada Guaranteed Small Business Loan (It finances assets and leaseholds and has a new maximum borrowing cap of $1,000,000.00

Sale Leasebacks

Asset based bridge loans and business credit lines


Naturally the quality of the assets is key, whether they are fixed ' hard' assets or the assets that represent working capital components - i.e. accounts receivable & inventories. Key point - book values don't tell the true value of the assets, and in some cases you might need to make an investment in new technology - i.e. computers / software, etc (Equipment Leasing is almost always the best way to acquire tech assets given their cash outflow flexibility)

Service companies that have few assets are always more challenging to finance given lack of hard assets.

While new owners will almost always be required to put some of their own cash into the business many financing solutions will also drive the minimum and maximum amount they will need to put up. Asset based lending strategies will often help minimize owner equity investment.

While Canadian chartered banks are a great source of financing for acquiring existing profitable businesses they are somewhat more than reluctant to finance firms with obvious financial challenges. Banks will almost always focus on a business plan, mgmt experience, the balance sheet and owner personal financial statements.

The bottom line? When buying an existing profitable or challenged business have a strong understanding of your opening balance sheet and the proper mix of current assets and debt. Understand the value of your hard assets and ensure you have financing in place to cover working capital needs.




Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing. Info & Contact Details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com




7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653


Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.






Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Inventory Financing In Canada : Here's Your Business Loan Funding Solution Playbook !













What's The Secret To Inventory Financing ?



Information on inventory financing solutions in Canada. Funding a business loan current assets such as inventories and receivables




Inventory Financing - Canada has a number of potential alternative financing strategies for Canadian business owners and financial managers. Canadian business has an ongoing challenge to finance inventory, which is a key component of any firm’s current assets.

Inventory options available to Canadian firms are potentially stand alone, or in conjunction with a current financing strategy employed by your company.

Firms require inventory financing to support both on going growth, and, on occasion, large new orders or contracts.

If you company is looking for inventory financing you probably fall into one of the following categories:

1. You require financing for your goods as part of an existing asset based line or credit, or a ' one of ' purchase order financing ' scenario

2. Your firm is financed via a Canadian chartered bank but you do not qualify for inventory financing under this facility - (Many customers we work with are just able to finance receivables under their bank line, but not inventory)

3. Your firm is financing inventory through a chartered bank facility but the margining of this inventory per the bank formula continually places working capital challenges on your business.

Customer who require inventory financing also need to be clear on and understand the different components of inventory , and how they are viewed by an inventory lender . Inventory in Canadian business financing tends to be in one of three categories, raw materials, work in progress, and finished goods.

We spoke above of inventory as a part of your firm’s working capital or operating line facility with the bank. Most of our firm’s customers have bank financing that is margined based on 75% of their receivables under 90 days, and a fixed amount of percentage of inventory. Banks probably understand least, and are least able to address the inventory issue. In fairness to the banks there are hundreds of industries, and each industry has unique inventory qualities re salability, liquidation value, etc.

When your company does not have any inventory financing and inventory is a component of your current assets you are clearly challenged from a working capital and cash flow point of view.

So what’s the solution? Our firm is of the opinion that the best solutions for inventory financing in Canada is a non bank asset s based line of credit. This is a true working capital and revolving facility that margins your receivables, AND your inventory! Moreover the margining of the inventory is significantly larger than you typical bank advance or cap on inventory. That is because a true asset based lender takes time to understand the breakdown and value of your inventory in your business model.

Although this type of financing is more expensive than bank financing you have significantly more liquidity to your business - that’s important!

When we meet with customers to share with them inventory financing solutions we try offer up tools that will allow the customer to quantify their inventory investment. One very basic tool is the ' INVENTORY IN DAYS SALES ' ratio. It is calculated by taking your inventory and dividing by your average days sales. (Sales per year/365!)

You can calculate this annually, quarterly. Monthly etc. An increase in the inventory in day’s sales ratio means that purchasing is taking place faster than selling, or that sales are declining and inventories are not declining at the same percentage. It's a great business measurement tool. In a perfect world your ratio should not be varying too much.

In summary, inventory financing - Canada is a challenge for Canadian business owners. The best solution in our opinion is a true asset based line of credit. Finally, businesses that have a solid inventory component in their business model should employ tools to measure the overall quality and turnover .

Work with an trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business Financing Advisor with a track record of success if you need assistance in Inventory Financing in Canada.




Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - Completed in excess of 100 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing. Info & Contact Details :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653


Email
= sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.