January 2024
Hartford, CT.—Touchstone Advisors, a mergers and acquisition (M&A) advisory firm providing M&A and other transaction services to the lower middle market, is pleased to announce the merger with Business Transition Strategies (BTS). BTS, a regional M&A firm with offices in Concord, NH and Andover, MA provides advisory services to lower-middle market companies in all major sectors. Services include sell-side M&A, business valuations, business consulting and exit planning.
“We are thrilled to bring BTS into the Touchstone Advisors family,” said Steven Pappas, Partner of Touchstone Advisors. “Over the past 14 years, John Howe has built a dynamic organization whose greatest asset is the dedicated and talented people who helped to make it a success.”
Deborah Agrafojo, Partner of Touchstone Advisors comments “We look forward to leveraging the best of both organizations which will create opportunities for our customers, employees and enhance our future growth and success.”
John Howe, President of Business Transition Strategies commented, “BTS has always been about great people and great clients and joining the Touchstone Advisors Team will enhance our offerings to customers, broaden opportunities for our associates and be a strong catalyst for growth into the future. Finally, I wish to thank our valued team members – especially Ken Schaefer - for their skill, dedication and hard work.”
“By adding BTS’s stellar M&A team to augment the team already here at Touchstone, we are able to expand our M&A services to clients across a broader range of sectors and sizes.” said Jeffrey Rich, CFA and Partner at Touchstone Advisors.
About Touchstone Advisors
Founded by Michael Camerota, Touchstone Advisors seeks to provide outstanding M&A services to privately held lower-middle market businesses throughout the United States. Sectors served include manufacturing, distribution, technology, healthcare, and B2B services companies. The Company delivers this by investing in next-generation technology, building and supporting an exceptional team of people and never placing limits on quality delivered and success obtained. We partner with Four Point Capital Partners on all security related transactions. For more information, visit https://touchstoneadvisors.com/
About Business Transition Strategies
Business Transition Strategies (BTS) is committed to quality and customer excellence and has many years of experience in the lower-middle markets. BTS has become the go to partner for M&A advisory, business valuation, consulting and exit planning. It also offers traditional business brokerage services through NH Business Sales. For more information, visit www.businesstransitionstrategies.com
Contacts
Lee-Ann Valotto
Touchstone Advisors
lvalotto@touchstoneadvisors.com
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.