Twice a year we attend a deal expo with private equity groups and strategic buyers. It is part of a conference presented by The M&A Source, a professional association of intermediaries who work to bring mid-market buyers and sellers together. I have the honor of being chairman this year.
Why mention this?
It is part of our commitment to continuing education. Conferences have sessions and courses specific to our work. We build deep connections that can be leveraged on behalf of clients. Connections made at this event broaden our list of people who will take our calls, answer our questions, help when possible. It is part of why we can be effective for clients.
If you watch the attached video, it will give you a sense of how it works and why. As Kyle Madden of KLH Capital put it: “The guys and folks we want to do business with are in this room.”
Although selling a company may be your and our ultimate goal, one key benefit for this session is meeting other people interested in growing companies within the mid-market. This group is actively engaged in preserving and growing businesses that create jobs in our economy.
Mega companies often are cutting or consolidating. Smaller, mid-market enterprises with good products and systems are creating jobs. Small business is an engine for the economy.
Allstate/USA Today does an annual survey on the mood of small business owners. It found resilience and optimism with 90% believing the benefits of ownership outweighs the challenges. Also, 79% feel their businesses have grown and will continue to do so. With many entrepreneurs reaching retirement age, these businesses are often best transitioned using M&A sales processes of the type we use.
Most of our clients have companies that fit within the designation, “lower mid-market.” Doug Tatum, in his book “No Man’s Land,” discusses companies that need to grow in order to thrive, with a heavy focus on systems and organization. He notes that growth can be achieved through the organic path, gradually improving and adjusting. Another valid option is to achieve growth through acquisition of another company. Citizen Bank’s survey of M&A activity found that many plan to do just that in 2017 and beyond.
When thinking of selling or buying, credentials and involvement of the advisor and intermediary mean something.
M&AMI, for example, stands for M&A Master Intermediary. It is earned through sales success AND extensive education. CM&AP, Certified Merger and Acquisition Professional, means the advisor has completed a five day graduate level program at Coles College at Kennesaw State. CEPA means the advisor has exit planning credentials. CBI means the intermediary is a certified intermediary, completing a rigorous education program.
When hiring an M&A advisor, check out their involvements. Our clients have found that it makes a difference.
BTS News
Manufacturer Sold and New Owner Expands It
BTS served as advisor in the sale of PlasTech Machining Fabrication, Inc. to DelCam Holdings in 2020...the company has grown substantially, doubling employment and adding capacity to boost future prod
How M&A Will Respond to Next Recession
The takeaway for business owners: Get back to basics. Don’t worry about hyper growth. De-risk your company as much as possible.
Perception vs Reality with Small Businesses
Sometimes the economic picture on the news seems inconsistent with what is happening for many business owners. Nearly every owner we speak to is out straight.
NH-Based Techinical Manufacturing Company Sold
Hampshire Controls has a bright future with new ownership. The company was recently sold by Diane Rush, owner and president, to Pillar Imaging and its leader Dr. Michael Pilon.
Be Ready When You Are Ready
When a business owner says it’s time to sell, I ask, “How fast do you want to be out?” The answer I hear most is, “Yesterday.” But sellers underestimate how long the process takes.
Looking at a Sale Through the Right Lens
Sometimes our vision about the future is blurry because we aren’t considering the whole picture but only parts of it.
5 Deal Points from the Trenches
Today I work with clients of Business Transition Strategies who are implementing Growth Through Acquisition strategies. Here are a few observations from working on a wide variety of projects.
Tax Changes Could Hurt Net Proceeds
Changes proposed to the capital gains tax suggest they may need to get 30% more in a transaction in the future just to net the same value they would get today.
Good Ideas From Shark Tank Deal
One of my colleagues in Cornerstone Alliance was front and center in a recent Shark Tank exercise. A business that had been sold was put in front of four potential buyer groups.
Buyer Trends in Lower Mid-Market
Other businesses are a significant market for companies being sold within the lower mid-market.
Case Studies
Precision Machining Company
Initially, liquidation was a serious consideration. It would offer a quick exit but would hurt loyal employees and disrupt the customers who had come to rely on its quality production.
Green Product Company
Our client owners could dig in for the long haul…However, this would take five years or more. Owners simply lacked the horsepower to do it.
Water Purification Company and Young Buyers
Owners decided they wanted to retire. They also wanted to be fair to the staff who had been loyal to them. Could the company be sold, the staff retained and the facility remain in use?
Magnetics Company with High Profile Customers
(T)he manufacturer would need to focus on growing EBITDA to capture interest from major strategic buyers and achieve a higher multiple of earnings.