The proposed agreement would extend five years.
It would include defined annual quantities, specifications, pricing arrangements, and performance conditions.
Its projected total value was approximately $4.8 million if the company delivered the required material over the full term.
The young farmer stared at the preliminary number.
Then immediately opened her spreadsheet.
The manufacturer representative chuckled.
“Most suppliers celebrate when they see a figure like that.”
She looked up.
“Most suppliers should calculate how much it costs to fulfill it.”
He laughed.
“Fair enough.”
And she was right.
The contract represented gross business revenue across five years, not guaranteed profit.
She would need equipment upgrades, additional working capital, reliable feedstock agreements, trained employees, transportation capacity, and a carefully managed maintenance program.
A single failed production month could affect deliveries.
A major equipment breakdown could consume reserves.
And the value of the agreement depended on the company meeting its obligations.
Dileia spent weeks examining the terms.
Her investor participated.
Her attorney reviewed the legal provisions.
The retired engineer assessed capacity requirements.
And the accountant prepared scenarios showing what would happen if costs rose or production fell short.
They negotiated the contract carefully.
The manufacturer wanted consistency.
Dileia needed realistic ramp-up provisions.
Both parties wanted enough protection to make the relationship sustainable.
Then came the largest obstacle.
Raw material.
To meet the proposed volumes, Ashford Circular Minerals needed more eggshell supply than its existing partners could provide.
And several large processors remained tied to the waste-hauling company that had discouraged independent recycling arrangements.
The young woman stared at the supplier map.
For several minutes, she remained silent.
Then she reached for her phone.
She called the heavyset farmer.
He answered with a laugh.
“Well, look who finally needs something.”
She closed her eyes.
“I'm calling about your shell waste.”
His tone changed.
“What about it?”
“Does your packing operation pay to have it collected?”
He laughed again.
“Of course.”
“May I ask what the current handling cost is?”
“Why?”
“Because I may be able to offer an alternative for some of the material under an appropriate agreement.”
There was a pause.
Then he snorted.
“You're still running that eggshell scam?”
Dileia took a slow breath.
“It's a permitted processing operation with customers and documented specifications.”
He laughed.
“Sure it is.”
She stared toward the window.
“I'm making a business inquiry.”
He became irritated.
“And I'm telling you I don't want chicken garbage piled up on my property.”
She looked toward the processing shed.
“Neither do I. That's why it gets handled properly.”
The man sighed.
“Listen, sweetheart. I have a contract.”
“I understand.”