Darby's Investment in Sirma: Professionalizing an Entrepreneurial Firm

In March 2010, Burak Dalgın (HBS MBA 2004) led private equity firm Darby's investment in Sırma, a local Turkish water and beverage company. Sırma was owned and managed by members of two Turkish business families. The existing management, while being highly entrepreneurial, had paid less attention to managing the company in a professional manner, leading to a highly leveraged balance sheet and a significant need for financing. After the investment, Sırma introduced new products, opened a new factory, and built up its financial reporting system from scratch. Two years after Darby’s investment, Sırma’s operational performance had improved. However, the company was still suffering from significant financial problems. By early 2013, although Sırma had received two cash injections from Darby, the company still required another round of financing. Dalgın was looking at three potential options: Should Darby make another investment in Sırma? If Darby stayed invested in Sırma, should it replace its managing partners? If Dalgın advised Darby to exit, would that be a premature move?