1) Cloudveil, an outdoor sportswear company, was struggling with cash flow issues due to its long production cycle of 5-6 months. This required financing new seasons before getting paid for previous seasons.
2) Cloudveil's founders considered selling to larger company SBI for capital and infrastructure. SBI agreed to keep Cloudveil independent and help it grow to $50 million while maintaining its brand integrity.
3) Selling to SBI allowed Cloudveil to solve its cash flow problems, benefit from economies of scale, and expand internationally while founders retained management roles, so it was the best option over struggling independently or losing control through other options.
2. The Case Facts
Cloudveil is an US based out- door sportswear company
devoted to hard-core skiers and mountain climbers.
Stephen and Brian founded the company which
turnover was 5 billion per year.
. The business was struggling for cash and struggling to
raise enough money for production.
Cloudveil was receiving calls from larger companies,
wanting to purchase them.
Cloudveil was considering selling out to a larger
company that could offer capital and infrastructure.
Cloudveil needed more than just money.
3. Selling out was feared to
damage the brands
credibility.
The company was unable to mail
out their catalogs because they
could not afford the cash for
postage.
Stephen was concerned about
losing control of strategic
direction.
The four partners agreed not to
take a salary to solve the catalog
cash problem.
Cloudveils cash flow cycle was 5
to 6 months, which meant the
company had to finance the
next years production before
getting paid for this years.
SBI called and was impressed
with Cloudveils outdoor line.
Stephen and Brian, the original
partners, brought on two more
partners to help them manage finances
and operations (Jon and Michael).
SBI was wanting to grow SBI to a $50
million brand, without degrading the
brand, and agreed to keep the
company in Jackson .
4. The partners knew that they would have to rely on
external financing
Stephen was worried, but Brian assured him that SBI
was a big company with a great infrastructure.
All four partners were to remain on as managers
The new volume being produced at Cloudveils
suppliers allowed for reduced costs and less
inventory storage.
Cloudveil is now sold in 300 U.S. specialty stores and
other countries.
Stephen is now able to have more leisure time, and
Brian is having fun setting Cloudveils strategy.
7. 1. Discuss the reasons that a manufacturing company like Cloudveil might
experience this type of cash flow prob- lem. Is this a sign or poor
management or is the nature of the business? What steps can a small
company such as Cloudveil take to deal with a long cash flow cycle?
Its a fact that start -ups normally faces cash flow
problem. But its not due to the nature of business. In
the case of Cloudveil its the poor management due to
which the company has faced cash-flow problem.
Cloudveils cash flow cyclethe time between
manufacturing its products and collecting the cash
from the salewas a lengthy five to six months, which
meant Cloudveil needed to find a way to finance the
next seasons production before col- lecting on the
current one.
8. Techniques to manage Cash-Flow
Manage your Money.
Create and Use a Business Budget.
Get a line of Credit.
Negotiate with Vendors.
Find Additional Revenue Streams.
Employee Issues in Cash Flow Fluctuations
9. Q2. If Cloudveil continues to grow at a suitable pace, SBI is likely to
continue its hands-off approach. If growth should slow and new product
development costs exceed what SBI finds acceptable, what impact might
this have on the initial arrangements with Cloudveil?
SBI expressed interest in acquiring Cloudveil. Brian
called Reilly and liked what he heard.
SBI was eager to capture a piece of the growing
outdoor apparel market, and Cloudveil had the
expertise and product line that SBI needed.
10. After a few meetings, all the partners except
Stephen were convinced that SBI was a good fit
for Cloudveil.
Reillys plan was to guide Cloudveil to $50
million in annual sales without cheapening the
brand. Reilly assured them that SBI would not
lower prices or degrade quality.
11. 3. Did Brian and Stephen sell out by selling Cloudveil to SBI,
or was this the best business decision under the cir-
cumstances? What other options did the founders have?
Partners were happy doing what they loved.
Economies of scale were developing.
Cloudveil went international.
Partners were able to retain management
positions.
They were getting richer.