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Working Capital Solutions for Supply Chain Finance

With specific challenges post COVID-19, large businesses and SMEs are leveraging AFG’s suite of financing solutions for more than just equipment leasing. For many businesses, the complications associated with a decrease in working capital have been crippling to their bottom lines. Companies are experiencing new challenges that require strategic solutions in order to maintain or increase their solvency.

Having worked closely with over 25,000 clients, AFG has been able to identify the frustrations many customers have faced with supply chain management. By helping customers leverage our working capital solution with supply chain finance, customers have been able to manage and grow their cash more effectively and efficiently.

What is Supply Chain Finance?

Supply chain finance (SCF) encompasses a set of solutions that improves cash flow across the supply chain. It allows businesses to optimize payment terms to their suppliers while providing the option for their large and SME suppliers to get paid early. As a result, disruptions to the supply chain are minimized while the velocity of cash flow across the chain is optimized.

In supply chain finance engagements, buyers send approved invoices from their participating suppliers to a bank (or financing institution), and the bank can make an early payment to the supplier at a discount. Rates and discounts are contingent on the buyer’s credit, but the process of supply chain finance allows buyers to hold on to their cash longer, thus maximizing their working capital. Suppliers get paid faster and take advantage of financing rates they may not have been able to get on their own.

Why Consider Working Capital Solutions for Supply Chain Finance

According to the 2022 Business Leaders Outlook, business owners are more optimistic than ever in spite of the COVID-19 landscape. An increase in capital spending and credit needs reveals that companies are poised for growth and expansion. Clogged supply chains, however, rank second among the top five obstacles reported by business owners. Therefore, supply chains continue to struggle to meet demand, even with bottlenecks improving since 2021.

It doesn’t end there.  According to a Rutgers Study, the disruptions to businesses, from customers, to suppliers, and affiliated service providers, such as banks and logistics providers, have caused chaos. Businesses of all sizes are turning to supply chain financing solutions to stabilize liquidity and their net working capital in order to maintain solvency and ensure continuity of supply through their supply chains.

In order to stay competitive and meet the needs of their customers, small to mid-sized companies have started expanding their strategies to mirror those of their larger, multinational counterparts by diversifying their supply chains and taking a strategic approach to sourcing and stocking goods. This, however, requires available working capital.

How the AFG Working Capital Program Can Help

An infusion of working capital, either via loan or line of credit, can stimulate the movement of cash through your supply chain by offering money saving incentives for faster payments. This also promotes a symbiotic relationship between buyers and sellers through a series of processes that lower costs and improves efficiency for the involved parties, keeping the supply chain agile and competitive in spite of challenges.

The AFG Working Capital Program features flexible transaction amounts and term lengths with no prepayment penalties. In conjunction with our internal credit facilities and syndicate bank partnerships, AFG also has the ability to underwrite various credit profiles and can provide working capital, financing, and leasing to an array of businesses and government agencies. Our streamlined application process and minimal bank statement requirements help you get the financing you need so you can grow your business.

Managing a steady stream of cash flow is the hardest part of growing a business. Contact AFG to learn more about how a working capital solution can accelerate movement across your supply chain.

five reasons to offer equipment leasing
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5 Reasons Equipment Dealers Offer Leasing

Most companies out there strive for growth. And while growing demand is vital for a business, capturing it takes the right operational capacity. The output of a typical business often comes down to two essential elements: talent and equipment. Every year, equipment manufacturers invest heavily in research & development to bring better, more efficient models to the market. And the end consumers of such equipment require timely upgrades to beat the competition.

AFG powers leasing for 100+ equipment vendors, dealers and OEMs. Why do they choose to offer an integrated leasing experience for their customers? Because equipment leasing enables better business opportunities for both the vendor and the customer.

Why do equipment dealers offer leasing solutions?

  1. Close larger sales
    Including a leasing solution into a deal makes it easier for the customer to come up with funds and budget for payments. That speeds up your pipeline, improves customer experience and allows your customers to start profiting from the newly purchased equipment faster.
  2. Control your pipeline
    Unlike banks, private lenders are more agile in creating solutions, designed specifically for your ideal customer. AFG offers transparent deal tracking, reducing friction for both your sales team and your customers.
  3. Increase your customers’ purchasing power
    A leasing agreement opens up an opportunity for choosing flexible terms and payments. You can close larger sales, while the customer gets to operate top choice equipment.
  4. Offer convenience
    Customers expect a quick and smooth buying process. An integrated equipment leasing solution makes you a one-stop-shop equipment supplier. Credit review takes hours instead of weeks. Sometimes, a one-page application is enough for credit approval.
  5. Improve retention
    Business owners who lease their equipment are more likely to come back for add-ons, trade-ups, and new equipment acquisitions. Paired with a custom-tailored plan, customers will come back to you for more.

AFG has been working with equipment vendors, dealers and original equipment manufacturers of all sizes since 1998. We have tenured leasing agents and a management team with 100+ years of combined experience in the space.

We also work with vendors to supplement their existing leasing partners, helping them close the gaps for a variety of customer profiles.

Are you ready to take your customer experience to the next level? Consider joining AFG Vendor Partner Program.

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Things You Need to Know about Construction Insurance

When most companies think of insurance, they typically only think of their general small business insurance policy. But, if you are a construction company owner or manager, there are a few extra things to consider.

The construction industry requires more insurance than other types of companies. This is because construction projects are considered higher-risk entities in the eyes of most insurers. While we know that you take safety seriously, coverage of different properties and expensive equipment calls for above-average premiums.

This article will give you a quick rundown on different types of insurance policies, specific to the construction space. You will also find out what kind of insurance comes with your purchased or leased construction equipment.

Must-have insurance policies for construction

We’ve listed the policies that are typically required or commonly considered as basic for a construction business. These policies will safeguard you from losses most of the time.

  • General Liability: This construction liability is pretty common, and the coverage protects your business if it’s responsible for anything like property damage, bodily injury or incorrect work.
  • Business Vehicle and Commercial Auto: Protects vehicles used in your business that transport tools and equipment. You can also add coverage to your policy that allows you to cover permanently attached equipment such as bolted toolboxes or racks. If you lease equipment, your lender will typically insure it for you. AFG provides default insurance as part of your lease, but you can always switch to the provider of your choice.
  • Workers’ Compensation: Covers employee medical costs and a percentage of lost wages if they get injured at work.
  • Professional Liability: helps to pay for alleged work oversights that cause a client to lose money. If someone says you didn’t deliver the promised services, they can ask you to pay for any losses. Professional liability can help cover the costs to defend your business and/or fix the problem.
  • Builder’s Risk/Course of Construction Insurance: This is property replacement coverage. This insurance is specialized property coverage that is applicable to buildings in progress. Your policy should be tailored for your business and project. Course of Construction insurance is another name it goes by. It is applicable to:
    • The restructuring of existing buildings, such as the addition of a staircase
    • The construction of a new building from the ground up
    • The renovation or refurbishment of an existing building

Why extra coverage is a good idea?

We understand that insurance premiums take a significant chunk of cash flow that could, potentially, be used in revenue-generating activities. Even though paying premiums isn’t necessarily amusing, additional coverage has its benefits.

  • Take the guesswork out of your budget. Knowing that almost every possible deviation from the plan is covered by the insurer enables precision in your budget. When your projects involve multi-million material, handling, and equipment costs, extra coverage will bring you peace of mind.
  • Safety sells. Developers are more likely to contract a reliable builder. Showing the extra coverage to your customer is a great selling point that will earn you serious projects.
  • Save time and money down the road. Insurance comes in handy when something goes awfully wrong. Sometimes, acknowledging and covering a mistake can be much easier on your business than a dispute in court.

Good-To-Have Construction Insurance Policies

Now that we’ve established the insurance solutions a construction company requires, here are some optional coverage opportunities to consider:

  • Pollution and Environmental Liability Insurance: Provides coverage if you’re liable for a pollution incident that occurs at a job site. If you bring chemicals or fuel tanks for refueling equipment onto a job site, it creates the risk for potential pollution to occur.
  • Inland Marine Insurance: The name of this policy may cause some head-scratching. The early days of moving goods from one place to another involved transport by ship, hence “marine insurance” was needed for the property on board. The term commonly used today is “floater”, a policy that covers gaps between other policies.
  • Contractor License Bonds or Surety Bonds: Some cities and states require that contractors obtain a license and permit bonds to ensure that customers receive the services and completed work that’s been promised. It’s a legally binding contract that also helps ensure that the contractor will pay for any materials and labor required to complete the job and not leave the customer holding the bill.
  • Cyber Insurance: One of the fastest-growing types of business insurance involves protecting your company’s data. As construction firms rely more heavily on technology the need to protect all that data increases.

How to choose a construction insurance policy?

Insurance companies are different. Some of them focus on a specific segment, for example, construction, others – cover all kinds of businesses. Here are a few things to take into account when selecting an insurance provider:

  • History and experience. Find out how long a company has been in business and if it has made the news recently. Companies with a proven track record tend to be more reliable and could offer better premiums & coverage.
  • Convenience and availability. If you have to wait on an 800 line, that’s a sign your claim could take a while to be processed. Timely payouts are crucial to the construction industry and other companies operating on the clock. Ask if you could be assigned a personal manager and if you could get their direct phone number and email address.
  • Cheaper isn’t always better. You are paying
  • Finally, coverage. Find out what exactly is covered and in what situations. For example, a worker breaking your company’s equipment is entirely different from a tree falling on the machine. Make sure you understand how coverage works and what your responsibilities are.

Consider using multiple insurers for different policies to achieve better coverage and lower your premiums.

Similar to insurance, equipment purchasing can be hard on the bank account. And just like insurance providers, choosing the right lender is crucial. AFG has been financing construction equipment and project costs since 1998. We understand the industry and the equipment used by contractors. Get in touch with your Personal Account Manager today to learn more about your funding options.

woman small business owner stands next to local shop
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The Sound of Small Business USA

The US is and has always been built on small businesses. Did you know the SBA’s 2019 report stated there are 30.7 million small businesses in the U.S. and they make up 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses? That’s right. They contribute not only to employment, but to innovation and the global economy. 

There are many upsides of owning a small business. There’s the flexibility and empowerment of being your own boss. There’s the possibility of financial freedom without the restrictions of working for someone else. And of course, maybe most importantly, there’s the ability to follow your own passion and do what you love.

Of course as many of us know, freedom comes with responsibilities and risk. For instance, right at the outset, 50% of all small businesses fail. Not the best odds when trying to set up a career and future. Small businesses tend to be the hardest hit during times of recession. And it’s more difficult to attract qualified employees when you might not be able to offer the same level of pay or benefits as a large corporation.

Despite the potential downsides, the good news is that the future of small business looks promising. Most of the recent studies and statistics show a future of growth and expansion, which bodes well for business owners and the US economy.

Need proof? According to a Guidant Financial and the Small Business Trends Alliance (SBTA) Small Business Trends 2021 survey:

  • 49 percent of small business owners plan to increase staff and expand or remodel their business. 
  • 55 percent will pivot with the times by investing in digital marketing 
  • 27 percent will be investing in IT infrastructure
  • 22 percent will invest in business services such as using a third-party or software to help them manage payroll, accounting, or inventory.

The fact that businesses are planning to invest right now means they see opportunities for growth and feel confident committing time and resources towards that growth. This speaks volumes especially considering we are still in the midst of a global pandemic and most small businesses have not fared well over the past year. Plus, as so many of us know, the hardest part of growing a business is cash flow management. 

The future of small business requires capital. 

But how do you secure it? Bank loans can be cumbersome and tedious, especially for small business owners. And often, they don’t provide the benefits other options do.

Also, many of the small businesses that require capital don’t qualify for traditional bank loans. The banking industry’s risk management model does little to support and encourage small entrepreneurs. 

Larger corporations tend to be more diversified and therefore can navigate growing pains more easily. Whereas a small business owner might have to mortgage a house, for example, to expand or even just to keep the business going.

Banks tend to be a poor match for a small business owner. There are however alternative methods that can help you fund your growth:

  • Equipment Leasing: Leases can provide a great way to source new equipment without having to secure a loan. Plus, you can keep the loan option available for other important projects.
  • Business Line of Credit: extremely flexible since you can continue to reuse and repay as often as you’d like, as long as your payments are on time.
  • HELOC – Home equity line of credit: Often a viable option for small businesses. It can be a bit risky as it ties your personal assets to your performance in business. While the costs are low, you have to put your personal finances on the line.
  • Pay Cash: Can you liquidate assets? Have a family member who can provide funds? If so, cash can be a great option.
  • Private Short-Term Unsecured Cash Loan: Working capital loans are easy to secure and typically no collateral is required with an alternative lender. And since they draw capital from private sources, they can be more flexible with the lending opportunities they provide.

There are many benefits of alternative lending which has led to a rise in small private finance companies in the last decade:

  • Private lenders such as AFG understand the personal risks of a small business owner and offer solutions that help the business thrive.
  • Unlike banks, most private lenders do not impose blanket liens on the business. The equipment financed is the only collateral required to guarantee the deal. No need to put family finances at risk.
  • Creative payment options and finance structures that take a company’s seasonality and downtime into account.
  • Prompt, simple process – most private lenders will make their credit decision in 24-48 hours with little paperwork (banks may take weeks reviewing financial statements).
  • Tax deductions (often, you can deduct the full cost of qualified equipment purchases).

We believe in the power and strength of small business. This country was built on it and will continue to thrive because of it. Which is why AFG does what we do. We hope our support of small business is evident in the way we structure our own processes and the way we work with our clients. We truly want what’s best for them and work hard to ensure we meet their goals every time.

If you’re a small business owner that wants to grow, reach out and learn more about your options. Let us find a solution that works best for your business.