North Alabama Storm Shelters llc | Application Preview
North Alabama Storm Shelters LLC is seeking $85,000 in government grant funding to enhance their business operations and meet growing demand for storm shelters. The funds will be allocated to purchasing a mini excavator and a dump truck to significantly reduce rental costs, as well as acquiring a stock inventory of at least six shelters to boost sales and allow customers to view products before purchase. They also plan to establish a public office space for customer meetings, which will cut travel costs and showcase their inventory.
The company anticipates rapid growth, having already seen a 50% increase in year-to-date revenue since fully vesting. They project that with the new equipment and inventory, they can triple their annual gross income, leading to more installations and the possibility of expanding their inventory further. Their goal includes not only improving sales but also addressing supply chain issues that have previously hindered their ability to meet customer demand.
With limited competitors in Alabama, North Alabama Storm Shelters emphasizes their commitment to customer service and community support. They plan to collaborate with emergency management agencies to enhance safety measures for shelter users, including developing a weather app and a system for tracking shelter occupants in emergencies. This strategic approach aims to position them as a top dealer and installer in the state.
The funding will also enable the company to diversify its services and product offerings, further solidifying its presence in the storm shelter market. They aim to establish a reputation for reliability and quality, reinforcing their competitive edge through strong customer service and product warranties. Ultimately, North Alabama Storm Shelters LLC envisions becoming a leading seller and potential manufacturer of storm shelters, serving Alabama and expanding into surrounding states.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 84-2102057
Location: Ohatchee, AL, United States
Length of Operation: 2
Number of Employees:
Annual Gross Income:
Annual Gross Expense:
Open to Loans: YES
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Funding Usage
We are requesting the amount of $85,000 to secure funding to purchase heavy equipment (mini excavator) to cut rental costs by over 50% monthly. A dump truck to deliver and haul away fill dirt and debris, which also offers added services of land clearing, home footer installation, landscaping, gravel/dirt haul, and more. Acquire stock inventory of atleast 6 assorted shelters/bunkers to increase chances of purchase by customers being able to see each product before committing to contract and boosting sales at the beginning of every spring presenting the options to buy and have installed immediately, simply replacing what’s sold as needed. This will also allow the manufacturers more time to produce truck orders better meeting supply and demand. Lastly setting up a public office location for meeting customers saving on travel costs and allowing them to see inventory. We have made many inquiries and gathered quotes. These are as follows: Used mini excavator- $28,500 Used dump truck- $18,000 Stock inventory atleast 6 assorted shelters- $16,550 Public office location- $15,500 All remaining funds will be used to purchase and stock installation materials and office supplies/furnishings.
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Business Plan
We expect our business to grow rapidly and are trying to meet supply and demand. Covid has made high impacts on sales losses this year, however the year 2021 has still produced double the 2020 results. We have already doubled our YTD Gross over 50% since becoming 100% fully vested. With the acquired heavy equipment, dump truck, inventory stock, and public office location, we are projecting to triple our 2020 AGI to $50,000. Then buying 3-6 more shelters to add to inventory stock creating 9-12 available on lot offering a nearly instant buy/ install option generating far more sales revenue. The issues of supply and demand, which seem to be a steady hurdle, would be no more. Our manufacturers are only able to produce a load of 5 shelters a month to each of their 7 main dealers. If the manufacturer runs out of building materials, or become behind in production due to the busy time of the year, we simply lose sales. Once stock is in place, potentially triple our profits again and began 10+ installations a month. This also presents the opportunity to offer other construction services with an projected sales of $60,000-$65,000 by year 4 of business. All profits will be reinvested back into the business in order to obtain more various heavy equipment work vehicles, tools, and even the option to begin manufacturing our own brand of storm shelters. Once that is fully established we estimate our AGI to be $75,000-$85,000 by year 5, only to maximize sales by offering more types and sizes of shelters, more services, and more locations. More product inventory offers to serve the supply and demand process with ease and ensure customer get exactly what they are searching for. As of now, we serve all of Alabama, north of I-20. Our business has very few competitors not o my in the area, but in the state. The only real competitor has south of I-20 via mutual agreement. We offer peace of mind knowing loved ones are safe when severe weather threatens or fallout occurs. With the economy shifting, we find more and more people are eager to secure their property, loved ones, and personal lives. Despite manufacturer material costs on the rise, bringing costs up over 30% since March 2021, demand is up 50% more then last year. Investments, loans, and grants. There are only 5 current storm shelter dealers/ installers registered in the state of Alabama, but North Alabama Storm Shelters llc is in a class of its own. We beat out our competitors simply because our business not only strives to meet sales goals, or even supply and demand needs, but we truly desire to help those in our community and state while serving with honesty and respect. We offer ideas of a weather app design to aid previous and future customers by notifying them in an emergency via weather or attack with links to local weather, State EMA, and more. We would also like to work with the EMA to secure a way for each customer to register their shelter/bunker location. With fears growing of becoming trapped inside the shelter/bunker, if an emergency situation occurs in that area, a trigger alarm is sent to EMA to call that location to check the status of the residents inside. If no response is reported within a 12-24 hour period, help will be dispatched to check on, help, or rescue those inside. This would only add reassurance to the safety and protection of our products, helping us become the top dealer/installer in the state. Eventually we would like to work directly with FEMA and the EMA to install affordable shelters to low income/ poverty sections in disaster prone areas using any FEMA grants moneys that are available at those times. We are highly motivated in both growing our business and servicing our state.
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Self Identified Competition
Fortunately there is only one other main competitor with the same services and shelters offered, but in mutual agreement they serve Alabama south of I-20. They too are one of our manufacturers 7 main dealers, only receiving 5 shelters per month. This competitor has been in business over 15 years and has recently started focusing solely on the sale of metal shelters design and manufactured by them. With metal prices on the rise, this has allowed us to sell more of the shared manufacturers fiberglass shelters. We have had many customers call inquiring to compare prices, options, wait times, and install operations. With reports of the competitors bad customer services, late install dates, and low reviews, most ultimately secure the purchase with our business. We stand out in the fact we honor our word, our contracts, and any issues that arise. With 5 star reviews in only 2 years of service, we are expected to do very well. We strive to meet the needs of every customer and each of their family members whether they need a shelter/bunker to be wheelchair accessible, have higher ceilings, extra support handrails, wants to be placed in garages/basements, ingound or above ground, or need any other modifications. We carefully take in the needs of each person to in order to serve them the best we can. We also take into account typical Storm wind direction, debris travel, and proximity to homes. Unlike many other dealers/ installers, we warranty out services. If any problems shall arise we happily return and repair for free as long as basic maintenance and care are followed properly. Our manufacturers even offer a limited 10 year warranty on top of this! A storm shelter/ fallout bunker is considered an expensive high end purchase and deserves a worry and hassle free process. Every installation is treated as if it were our very own, taking great care in delivery and proper installation, packing, and grooming. Doors are covered to prevent scratches and dirt cover keeping them looking fresh and new. Extra measures and precautions are taken into account when there is excessive water or rock to ensure proper installation. We offer free follow ups to ensure proper settling which is always appreciated. We offer additional options such as additional interior handrails, exterior handrails, landscaping, interior cushion sets, and storage kits. Bunkers offer fire, flood, and gun proofing, as well as interior upgrades such as plumbing, electrical, Sheetrock, flooring with storage, gun safes, and hidden safes. We hope to one day become Alabama’s leading dealer/ installer/ and possibly manufacturer of Storm shelters and bunkers branching out to nearby states.
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