Tailored financing solution
How eCapital helped Rochester Iron and Metal improve liquidity.
For over 50 years, Indiana-based Rochester Iron and Metal has been a respected name in scrap metal processing. The business was built on quick-pay relationships with suppliers and steady payment terms from buyers in the steel industry.
When one of their largest customers extended payment terms to 90 days, Rochester faced significant cash flow strain—threatening supplier relationships and operational flexibility. That’s when eCapital’s FastTrack® supply chain finance program provided the answer.
THE CHALLENGE
Rochester’s model relied on paying suppliers promptly while receiving payments from steel mills in 45–60-days —a balance that worked for decades. But when a key customer pushed terms out to 90-days, Rochester’s days sales outstanding (DSO) reached unsustainable levels.
“We had a little bit of hesitancy to do business with them,” said Dan Zeiger, Chief Operations Officer. “Without a solution, we risked slowing operations or walking away from valuable business.
We did want to continue to do business (with the company). When the eCapital FastTrack® program came along, we were able to create a scenario where we were able to comfortably do business with the customer again.”
I would recommend anyone look into eCapital FastTrack if they want to improve cash flow and gain certainty and reliability of payments.”
Chief Operations Officer
Dan Zeiger
THE SOLUTION
Through eCapital FastTrack®, Rochester gained access to early payment options through a supply chain finance program sponsored by their customer. With the new system, Rochester could effectively shorten payment terms from 90 to 60 days—or even faster when needed.
“There’s a level of reliability within this financial tool that creates a comfortable feeling about our payment cycles and receivables,” said Zeiger. “The automation and control provided by eCapital FastTrack helped turn a challenging client relationship into a sustainable one.”
THE STORY
eCapital FastTrack’s intuitive design made onboarding seamless and operations effortless. Rochester even joined beta testing for new features, including the “set it and forget it” option, which automates payments based on chosen terms—saving time and removing uncertainty from the A/R process.
Having explored other early payment programs, Zeiger noted that eCapital’s offering stood apart: cost-effective, easy to use, and tailored for businesses like Rochester’s.
“Ours is the best industry to take advantage of a supply chain finance program with eCapital,” he said. “I would recommend anyone look into it if they want to improve cash flow and gain certainty and reliability of payments.”
“eCapital helped bring us closer to the terms we needed to make strong, long-term customer relationships,” – Dan Zeiger, Chief Operations Officer
Explore the solutions that improved liquidity for Rochester Iron and Metal
SUPPLY CHAIN FINANCE
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