Dale A. Gray
Gautier Steel Holdings Inc.
Company Industry
Company Description
Year Sold
Type of Buyer
Remain with the Business Post Sale
Experience
Functional Area(s) of Focus
Education
For over 25 years, Gautier Steel has operated a successful hot roll bar mill, selling niche long products in flat and square sizes on a just-in-time basis. Through significant investment over the last several years, the company has expanded to offer hot rolled specialty plate products targeted for aerospace end markets
2023
Structured Equity ESOP
Yes – Remained with the business serving as the Chief Financial Officer was promoted to President and CEO approximately one-year post-closing
Currently serving as President and CEO of the $100M+ combined hot rolled steel bar business and hot rolled specialty metal plate products business. During the past 10+ years, Dale served these businesses in a leadership role while being owned and directed by three different institutional investors, including private equity and family office groups, as well as multiple senior debt and mezzanine debt providers.
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While Chief Financial Officer, Dale gained extensive experience working with investment groups to develop strategic plans, build annual and multi-year budgets, and drive growth in the business in anticipation of, and to help prepare the business for, an ultimate exit.
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In addition to a financial role, Dale gained valuable operating experience directing the turnaround efforts of the specialty metals plate business, resulting in topline growth of over $25M and EBITDA growth from consistent losses to a sustainable $7M+ and a growth plan pointed to higher performance over time
Chief Financial Officer
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Experienced in securing financing with large financial institutions as well as alternate sources of financing, including mezzanine lending and structured equity financing.
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Regularly lead efforts in developing comprehensive annual budgets from original business plan to final board approvals.
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Monitor and improve working capital and corporate cash flow.
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Complete comprehensive reporting packages that encompass the performance of all aspects of the business for the board of directors
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Manage the year end audit process, including the development of audited financial statements and annual tax returns.
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Develop and prepare compliance reporting packages and presentations for investors and lending institutions
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Operations Role
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Lead the development and implementation of an Aerospace Certified (AS9100) quality management system that enabled the company to enter new markets and continues to be used as the basis for which the business is managed
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Developed new product lines to diversify the company's product offering, resulting in increased market presence, as well as top- and bottom-line growth​
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Developed a downstream processing supply chain for value added manufacturing services that improved production capacity and avoided heavy capital investment at the company level while allowing the business to continue its growth​
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Led efforts to develop and automate key production dashboards that monitor daily throughput and inventory levels at various stages of the production cycle to enhance the company's ability to monitor and forecast on-time order deliveries as well as forecast upcoming potential risks of delays in the production cycle
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Provide support and guidance to the sales team, including assisting with new customer development, attending on-site customer meetings, as well as developing pricing on new products to ensure they are market competitive and adequate profitability is achieved
University of Pittsburgh - Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration (Finance)
Saint Francis University - Master of Business Administration