Company – Amfuel
American Fuel Cell and Coated Fabrics Company (Amfuel), based in Magnolia, Arkansas, manufactures self-sealing, crash resistant aviation fuel cells and liquid logistic tank solutions. As one of two qualified aviation fuel cell manufacturers for U.S. Department of Defense aircraft, Amfuel maintains a significant competitive advantage over its smaller domestic competition. The Company utilizes complex, proprietary tooling and manufacturing processes to produce collapsible, flexible, rubberized fuel storage bladders that are crash resistant and provide ballistic protection qualities for military, commercial and general aviation aircraft (fixed-wing and rotary). In addition, Amfuel manufactures non-aviation, commercial liquid, multi-use storage containers that are designed for large volume and multi-use liquid transport of industrial chemicals, potable water, sewage or ground fuel storage.
Opportunity
As a result of a relocation to and then from Texas, between 2016 and early 2018, Amfuel’s operations, liquidity and financial performance were adversely impacted. This precipitated the need for Amfuel to seek a restructuring of its finances and explore strategic alternatives.
Transaction
Amfuel filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2017.
SSG was retained by Amfuel in early 2018 to explore strategic alternatives, including a sale of its assets. On November 30, 2018, Amfuel was sold in a Section 363 Bankruptcy process to an affiliate of LBA for $1.6 million (including assumed liabilities).