Struggling Companies & Turnarounds: Why Asset Optimization Is Often the First Step

When a company faces financial distress — whether it’s insolvency, restructuring or a complex turnaround — the focus usually shifts to liquidity, debt negotiations, and cost-cutting.

But what often gets overlooked is the hidden leverage in assets already owned or leased by the company.

At APEX, we believe asset optimization is one of the most immediate and impactful tools available to struggling businesses — often unlocking efficiency, improving cash flow and restoring operational clarity.

What Is Asset Optimization?

Asset optimization means evaluating all business-critical assets — from real estate to machinery — and ensuring they’re structured, used and maintained in a way that maximizes value.

This isn’t just about selling things off. It’s about smarter usage, better allocation and uncovering underutilized capacity.

Key asset categories we assess:

• Real estate (offices, warehouses, production halls).
• Machinery & equipment.
• Car fleet and logistics infrastructure.
• IT assets and storage capacity.
• Idle or overlapping service contracts.

Why It's Critical During Financial Stress

When a business is under pressure, every cost counts — but so does every asset.

Here’s why optimization matters during turnaround:

Real estate burdens are heavy.
Rents, utilities and maintenance costs can weigh down recovery. Downsizing, subleasing or relocating to more cost-efficient space can make a difference in days — not months.

Machinery and equipment are often misaligned.
A line may be oversized for current orders, or maintenance is eating away at margins. Reorganizing production layouts or consolidating underused equipment frees up both cash and floorspace.

Fleet and transport inefficiencies compound losses.
Too many vehicles, idle trucks or inefficient routing can quietly drain thousands of euros monthly. Reassessing needs and possibly leasing instead of owning improves agility.

Asset clarity simplifies negotiations.
Insolvency procedures require transparent reporting. A clean, optimized asset picture makes it easier to negotiate with creditors, attract buyers or restructure debts.

APEX’s Turnaround Asset Strategy Framework

Whether a company is in early distress or already in insolvency, we apply a clear framework:

1. Diagnostic Mapping
   We inventory all physical assets and their actual utilization.
2. Cost Impact Assessment
   We calculate direct and indirect costs associated with each asset class.
3. Performance vs Purpose Audit
   We ask: Is this asset helping you achieve your current business model? Or is it a holdover from a past structure?
4. Strategic Action Plan
   We recommend actions such as: Sale & leaseback (freeing up cash while maintaining operations), consolidation of space or fleet, outsourcing or insourcing certain logistics, subleasing or negotiating early exits.
5. Implementation Support
   We don’t just consult. We help implement — from renegotiating leases to advising on auctions or restructuring real estate.

This Isn’t About “Asset Fire Sales”

Too many turnarounds focus on quick sales of assets at poor value.

APEX takes a long-term view. We aim to keep the company operational while reducing unnecessary drain. It’s about repositioning, not liquidation — and productivity, not panic.

Final Thoughts

Turnarounds are not just about cost-cutting — they’re about creating room to breathe.

Your assets — physical, logistical and contractual — are not just entries on a balance sheet. They are tools. But only if optimized.

Whether you're an insolvency administrator, a CFO or a shareholder looking to restore viability, start with your assets. That’s where silent inefficiencies — and silent opportunities — often lie.