• ESPRO

  Led · Debt Financing · Feb 2016

  Espro is a Vancouver-based coffee product company whose flagship product is the redesigned ESPRO Press French press. The company first engaged Bibby Financial Services in 2013 after developing the ESPRO Press to secure funding to distribute the product to a larger customer base. Espro obtained a $400,000 invoice factoring facility from Bibby Financial Services, which it used to expand its customer base and develop new products. Though based in Canada, the majority of Espro’s customers are in the United States, and Bibby’s global footprint enabled rapid funding without engaging the International Monetary System. According to president and co-founder Bruce Constantine, the financing enabled Espro to double its revenue, employee base, and inventory. The company subsequently gained the financial stability to obtain a traditional bank loan. ESPRO is a Vancouver-based coffee and tea equipment company best known for the patented ESPRO Press, introduced in 2012 as the first grit-free French press in over fifty years. Founded by engineers Bruce Constantine and Chris McLean (the company emerged in April 2004), ESPRO designs brewing gear to remove grit, stop extraction after pressing, and maintain heat. Its products have received accolades from Popular Science and the New York Times and helped the company expand distribution since 2012. Management says recent funding will accelerate product availability, enable substantial improvements to a range of brewing methods, and support new product introductions. ESPRO plans to ramp up sales and marketing and expand global distribution to capitalize on growing demand in the specialty coffee and tea "Third Wave" market.

• PCT International

  Led · Debt Financing · Jul 2012

  PCT International manufactures proprietary coaxial cable and cable connectors used in global telecommunications infrastructure; its products have been installed in millions of homes and businesses. The company reports it has manufactured over 1,000,000 miles of coaxial cable and sold more than three billion cable connectors. PCT is operating under a Chapter 11 plan and recently secured court approval for financing tied to that plan. The company has a pending malpractice claim against law firm Robins Kaplan, and the strength of that claim was cited as a basis for new funding. PCT engaged Beus Gilbert McGroder, PLLC in August 2019 on a full contingency basis to represent it in the malpractice matter. Management describes these developments as supporting upward momentum and future growth. PCT International develops and globally supplies last-mile technology products for broadband, CATV, satellite and structured wiring customers. The company serves customers in more than 60 countries and maintains 46 offices across 14 countries. Established in 1997 by CEO Steven Youtsey, PCT focuses on manufacturing and supplying hardware for last-mile broadband connectivity. The recent financing will fund expansion of manufacturing capacity, increased research and development, and growth of its product line. PCT is using the new capital to support a strategic global initiative and to recapitalize its existing lenders. No revenue or user metrics were disclosed in the article.

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