Client Work and Other Experience

• Shipyard Evaluation: MMC conducted an in-depth review of a potential shipyard acquisition target for an investment banking firm. Included were analyses of financial and operational performance, markets and yard positioning, organization and management, risk profile, and level of technology utilization for all of the yards within the target firm.
• Shipbuilding Strategy: For a southeastern US Port Authority, MMC reviewed the state of shipbuilding within the relevant geography and prepared recommendations about market potential, operating and financial performance and possible ways for shipbuilding and ship repair to become more integrated and viable components of the Port's overall Strategic Plan. MMC's findings are incorporated in the Port's recently-adopted Strategic Plan.
• Strategic Overview of Shipboard Residences: A major US financial institution was preparing to market a unique ocean residence concept to high-net-worth individuals. MMC was asked to review the overall business plan, proposed operating scenarios and budgets, and identify any issues likely to impact the overall financial success of the project. In a very short time, MMC reviewed with the project stakeholders a series of concerns/recommendations covering all aspects of the potential venture. Concerns have been addressed and the residences are being marketed.
• Shipbuilder Assessments: For an agency of the U.S. Government, MMC performed a series of analyses of various shipyards, either to satisfy the agency as to the viability of the ongoing business or to evaluate potential new suppliers. These analyses typically included all facets of the business situation: finances, organization, manpower levels/skills, facility capabilities, market positioning and company strategy. These assessments provided the client with an outlook for the performance of their supplier base and the certainty of future vessel deliveries.
• Strategic Planning for a US Port: MMC was part of the core team responsible for helping a major US Port create a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan. Using a workshop-based approach, the Port's management team was led through identification of critical strategic issues; analysis of strategic options; selection and prioritization of courses of action; and implementation planning. The Port is using this document as the foundation for all their planning and capitalization activities over the next five years.
• Regional Maritime Strategy: For a consortium of government agencies, MMC was part of a team which developed an overarching maritime strategy for Southeast Alaska. Fisheries, shipbuilding and repair, cruise shipping, and tourism were all examined with the objective of defining an action plan to increase the contribution of these markets to the SE Alaskan economy. Various phases of the plan are being implemented by the cognizant government and community bodies.
• Impact of Shipbuilder Bankruptcy & Reorganization: An agency of the U.S. Government had contracted for construction of several special-purpose vessels with a shipbuilder that subsequently filed for reorganization. MMC performed a series of analyses to evaluate the impact to the program of alternative reorganization scenarios. All aspects of the business situation were examined, including finances, organization, manpower levels/skills, facility capabilities, market positioning and shipyard strategy. The assessment permitted our client to focus on a few key issues during the reorganization process, thereby ensuring the likelihood of successful program completion.
• College Business Game: MMC annually participates as a judge in the International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition. Teams from business schools in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico meet in San Diego to present hypothetical products and business strategies for evaluation by a group of industry and academic judges.
• Offshore Industry Evaluation: For a division of one of the world's largest defense contractors, MMC analyzed the potential for entry into the Offshore Oil Industry. Through primary and secondary research, the market opportunity was sized and matched to the client's core competencies. A strategy for entry into the market and an implementation plan were developed with supporting value propositions and pro-forma financial projections. Using the research and analysis, MMC facilitated a strategic planning conference with client personnel to evaluate the market entry plan. The client ultimately decided not to invest in the Offshore Industry, acknowledging that our work had saved them considerable wasted time and dollars.
• Transportation Strategy: MMC participated in the development of a twenty-year strategic plan for the Department of Transportation of a developing nation. As part of the Moving South Africa team, MMC assessed intermodal transportation, unitized dry cargo movements, liquid bulk shipping, and ports infrastructure, and identified gaps between long-term objectives and current capabilities.
• Business Plan: For an international shipyard group, MMC developed a business plan for a new ship repair venture to be located in the Bahamas. The business plan included market forecasts, facilities requirements and financial pro formas. This plan was used directly in negotiations with investors and with the government.
• Strategic Planning Conference: MMC assisted a ship repair yard in developing a five-year strategic plan by preparation of background papers and analyses, and facilitation of a strategic planning conference for senior management staff.
• Facility Divestment: MMC assisted a shipyard and its corporate parent in the sale of the facility. The process included establishing the requirements for prospective buyers, developing sales materials and analysis, assisting investment bankers, and participating in negotiations. The process led to the sale of the shipyard, the timely and effective transfer of contract obligations, and a subsequent turnaround under the new yard owner.
• Facility Divestment: For a major defense contractor, MMC analyzed alternative industrial uses for a large commercial shipyard. Scenarios for industrial development were presented, as well as a suggested strategy for divestment of the facility. This study was the basis for evaluation of offers for the facility, balancing community concerns for job retention against the commercial value of the property under various scenarios.
• Downsizing: For a shipyard group’s board of directors, MMC analyzed the market outlook on the U.S. for both ship repair and shipbuilding and assessed the viability of its shipyards. The resultant forecasts and analyses showed that all but one of the client’s three shipyards should be closed. The company was able to emerge from bankruptcy and operate as a successful shipbuilding and repair firm. MMC segmented the market, forecasted the various segments of the market, and prepared financial pro-formas for the current and restructured business.
• Privatization: During the privatization of a Central American shipyard, MMC assessed the shipyard’s competitive position for a potential investor. The study included analyses of the yard’s facilities, workforce, available labor skills, wages, productivity, overhead and potential markets.
• Business Plans and Feasibility Studies: For numerous existing cruise companies and entrepreneurs, MMC created business plans for and assessed the feasibility of new cruise ship offerings. These plans and studies were used by the clients to seek financing for the projects, as well as to focus their plans for the business. In several cases, the clients were encouraged by the governments of France and Germany to engage MMC for this service.
• Acquisition: For an existing cruise company, MMC helped the client decide on the acquisition of another existing cruise operation. Analyses included market projections and financial pro formas.
• Five Year Plan: For a major cruise line, MMC prepared a five year plan, including operating costs, revenues, and growth targets.
• Long-range Planning: For the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, MMC developed and facilitated a major review of the academy’s long term outlook, including analysis of its markets, strengths and weaknesses, resources, and vision for the future. Numerous senior maritime executives participated in the on-site planning sessions.
• Itinerary Planning: For a major cruise line, MMC assisted the client in re-defining its itineraries. Sophisticated marketing tools, including a version of conjoint analysis, were used to project customer preferences for ports of call and length of cruise.
• New Business Model: For a major European ship repair firm, MMC guided an effort to create a new business model for one of their key departments. Various alternatives were analyzed, including outsourcing, spin-off and redesign of the existing organization. Results implemented resulted in a 15-20% reduction in labor costs in the area impacted, as well as an improved working climate for workers and management.
• M&A: For a major European ship repair firm, MMC guided an effort to create a new business model for one of their key departments. Various alternatives were analyzed, including outsourcing, spin-off and redesign of the existing organization. Results implemented resulted in a 15-20% reduction in labor costs in the area impacted, as well as an improved working climate for workers and management.
• Business Strategy: For a natural products distributor, MMC helped create a new web-enabled business strategy designed to increase order capture and market share, coupled with an Operations improvement program designed to reduce costs. Estimated impact from implementation was 15-20% improvement in their bottom line.
• Post-Merger Integration: MMC directed successful post-merger integration activity for a major US cruise company, including vision formulation, organization alignment, redesign and implementation. Working with multiple client teams, recommendations were put in place within 80-90 days, allowing the company to take full advantage of the benefits anticipated from the merger without suffering any declines in client service or negative reaction from shareholders.
• Operational Due Diligence: For a significant investor, MMC helped conduct operational due diligence for the proposed acquisition of a major publisher. Working with investment bankers and attorneys, data was gathered and analyzed, then follow-up visits scheduled to all major operations. The team’s findings resulted in fundamental changes to the bid submitted, including the recruiting of additional partners in the acquisition.