Havens Steel

Problem:

• 84-year-old steel construction company filed for bankruptcy in March 2004 and reduced workforce
• Former Havens executive management team sued by employees for monetary losses in failed ESOP
• Customer retention
• Employee retention
• Industry perception of Havens being bankrupt and out of business

Solution:

• Promoted placement of $40 million debtor-in-possession loan to enable company to continue
• Developed tailored local and construction-oriented trade media lists
• Created html news release distribution process for communicating with local and trade media constituents
• Secured corporate profile cover story in May 2004 edition of Engineering News Record
• Agency designated corporate spokesperson
• Provided reactive media relations with Kansas City Star, Kansas City Business Journal, Fox-4 News
• Promoted news releases featuring completion of construction of Miami International Airport’s new J Concourse and South Terminal ahead of schedule, Phoenix Convention Center expansion contract award and more.
• High-profile coverage secured in Engineering News Record (ENR), Southeast Construction, Phoenix Business Journal, Kansas City Star, Miami Herald, among others.
• Re-wrote and re-launched company web site
• Provided ongoing crisis communications counsel for several legal and media-specific challenges

Results: www.havenssteel.com