Using a Specialist in M&A

Often one of the first questions we are asked during an initial meeting with a company owner is if we have experience in an industry.

We do – in the transaction industry, researching and finding a target list of likely acquirers, preparing marketing documents, managing the sales process, and the diligence process through to the closing.

While using an industry specialist to market a company may save a few days in preparing the offering materials, there is the danger of a cookie-cutter approach. In addition, preparing a list of possible acquirers within a single industry can be somewhat limiting.

Our team researches the industry we are working in with the various tools at our disposal.

We delve into the company operations and processes and spend time interviewing management to produce the best possible product in our marketing materials.

We execute deep research into industry players, parallel industries as well as a private equity nationwide that may invest in the industry in question, and in the transaction size we expect.

With the tools at our disposal, we construct a comprehensive target list to find the best possible acquirers, and execute the best possible transaction, not necessarily the quickest transaction.

Our goal is to generate interest in the opportunity from a variety of sectors, ranging from industry players to synergistic, strategic and private equity groups. Our experience is that this process generally brings the best value for the seller who can feel confident that all bases have been covered.

What our clients are saying...

“New Image Coatings, owners of Seal-Once, retained Business Transition Strategies in April of 2015 to locate a strategic buyer for the company. This was successfully completed during April of 2016 when we were acquired by UC Coatings of Buffalo, New York. Working at our side throughout this process were John Howe director, and Ken Schaefer, deputy director, of Business Transition Strategies. From the start of the project, where the information memorandum was developed, to helping us create the management presentation to acquirers, through negotiating the letter of intent and then the definitive agreement, they were there with me and our professional team every step of the way. It took nearly one year to the day to complete the project, but they never lost focus on my best interests and helped me keep my eye on business. This sale was very complex. It included transfer of trade secrets from the product developer, …as well as the transfer of a manufacturing and licensing agreement we had with the core compound producer… John and Ken marketed the company to a range of strategic acquirers, including a number of private equity groups and their platform companies, which ultimately resulted in an agreement with United Coatings… BTS’s level of expertise in the process and close attention to detail enabled us to successfully navigate the deal. I would recommend John Howe and Ken Schaefer to any company owner considering selling.”

- Hank Croteau

New Image Coatings