Patriot Renewable Fuels

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Acquire and finance 200 rail tank cars

BACKGROUND

Patriot Renewable Fuels, a successful ethanol producer in Illinois sought SRF’s counsel in their lease fleet decision-making. They had been challenged to identify an interested bank for rail car and project financing now that their local bank was approaching its lending limit. Many banks do not understand and/or do not operate in the bio-fuels space.

SRF APPROACH

SRF considered the entire companies plans and needs and quickly illuminated the logic of buying and financing the purchase of new, rather than used, ethanol tank cars. As a respected and trusted advisor in the rail industry and banking, SRF is backed by seven of the largest banks in North America. After arranging an early production slot with a tank-car manufacturer, we pinpointed the ideal bank partner for this transaction and for the client’s long-term growth.

RESULTS

• Arranged $35MM railcar financing without a parent company guarantee
• Structured off-balance sheet financing that still retains benefits of buying cars
• SRF is providing ongoing guidance on regulatory developments and tank car design