Benchmark International has successfully negotiated the sale of Central Florida Solar, Inc. (“CFS”) to Wayfare Impact LLC (“Wayfare”).

Based in Altamonte Springs, Florida, CFS operates as a multi-service solar energy provider that designs, sells and installs solar energy systems for water heating, pool heating and solar electric power. The company primarily services the residential sector across the Orlando, Florida market. The company’s owner, Bill Park, has been designing and installing solar energy systems since 1984 and has completed the Florida Solar Energy Center’s photovoltaic system design program.

Since 2000, CFS has been committed to providing clean energy options that are both cost effective for the consumer and environmentally friendly. Since inception, the company has grown from a small family business to a profitable venture. The company’s technical knowledge, experienced staff, and professionalism not only ensure client retention, but foster additional growth opportunities within the industry.

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Wayfare is a privately-owned investment firm with a focus on U.S. investments. Wayfare pursues a multitude of sectors and markets from an investment standpoint; however, the group primarily focuses on growth companies with clear potential to be not only profitable, but to have a positive impact on the environment. Today, Wayfare is further expanding its portfolio of socially responsible and environmentally conscious companies with the acquisition of CFS.

President and Founder of CFS, Bill Park, stated, “Benchmark International played an instrumental role in bringing my exit strategy to fruition. The team did an outstanding job of marketing my business toward motivated buyers, and even lined me up with first-rate legal counsel as the deal entered more mature stages. I would like to thank the Benchmark transaction team for the extraordinary effort in making this transaction a reality.”

Benchmark International’s Senior Associate, Trevor Talkie, added, “We have really enjoyed working with our client, Bill Park, and bringing to the table an acquirer with many of the same core values. Bill has built an excellent business over the years and this acquisition by Wayfare is a testament to the value CFS provides. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish both parties the best of luck moving forward.” Tyrus O’Neill, Director at Benchmark International, stated, “It was a pleasure to represent CFS in this transaction, and on behalf of Benchmark International, we are extremely pleased with the outcome. A win-win for the buyer and the seller is always an ideal end result.”

In a much-talked-about piece in the New York Times recently, Hernan Cristerna, Co-Head of Global M&A at JP Morgan Chase, diagnosed the global mergers and acquisitions market as alive and very much kicking – in spite of ongoing Brexit anxieties and considerable political uncertainty around the Trump administration.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the sale of Rochester Electro-Medical, Inc to Advantage Medical Cables, a portfolio company of HealthEdge Investment Partners. The complementary nature of the acquisition is expected to enable both companies to build on their strengths and solid proprietary businesses, uniting the AMC, LifeSync and Rochester brands, to provide one of the most robust and diverse product lines in ECG, SpO2, NIPB, IBP, EMG, EEG, IOM, PSG, EP and Cath Labs.

The combined companies are expected to become one of the largest players in the US market.

Rochester Electro-Medical, Inc, is a manufacturer and distributor of a variety of Class I and Class II medical devices for use in hospitals and clinics. The primary products sold are reusable and disposable supplies used in neurodiagnostic and neuromonitoring procedures. The company has been family owned and operated by the Berkins family since 1960, spanning three generations of family members at the executive level. The acquirer, Advantage Medical Cables (AMC), is an active portfolio company of HealthEdge Investment Partners (HealthEdge). AMC is based on Coral Springs, FL and is a manufacturer and distributor of accessories for the patient monitoring market. HealthEdge is based in Tampa, FL and is the control investor of AMC as part of their Fund II.

The Rochester Electro-Medical, Inc shareholders stated, “We would like to thank the team at Benchmark International for their expertise, hard work and dedication in helping us find the perfect partner for our business with AMC and HealthEdge. Benchmark effectively marketed the growth occurring in our business in order to negotiate and procure the highest possible value, while guiding and supporting us throughout the entire process. We are very proud of our company’s history and dedication to our industry and customers, but we recognized it was time to move on to new ventures in our lives. Benchmark brought the same level of passion, innovation and energy to facilitating our exit that we brought every day as owners.”

Graham Woodard, Senior Associate at Benchmark International, added, “Being able to support a client in such a positive acquisition is rewarding for our entire team. We truly enjoyed working for our client at Rochester Electro-Medical and the group at HealthEdge and AMC were equally pleasurable to work alongside. On behalf of Benchmark International we would like to wish both sides the very best in future endeavors.”

Following on last year’s impressive 26 closings, Benchmark International’s US offices represented sellers on 14 transactions in the first six months of 2017. This was due in no small part to a 30-day span in which Benchmark International closed ten deals globally, with six of those being for US-based sellers.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the sale of Cade & Associates Advertising, Inc. to Eyeworks Advertising, Inc.

Cade & Associates Advertising, Inc. is a full service advertising agency that focuses on creative design, production and account management of digital media, social media, and in-house video production services. Cade also offers a full slate of traditional agency services like graphic design, brand development and media planning and placement. Cade & Associates Advertising, Inc. has been operating in the Tallahassee, Florida for close to a quarter of a century and has over 100 clients across a number of different industries.

The acquirer, Eyeworks Advertising, Inc. is led by entrepreneur Robert Marshke. Robert has extensive experience in video production and advertising. Rob is looking forward to the addition of Cade & Associates Advertising to the Eyeworks Advertising brand and plans on building the companies footprint into the Midwest.

Rick Shapley and Linda Frandsen, owners of Cade & Associates Advertising, Inc., stated “Our experience with Benchmark has been first class since day one. Their attention to detail, professionalism and availability at a moment’s notice made us feel as if we were their only client. We would like to thank the team for helping us through the process and look forward to seeing the company grow under new ownership.”

Due diligence by potential buyers takes up a serious amount of time in any M&A process. Essentially, it’s designed to make sure the buyer knows exactly what it is that they’re buying – and in other cases, ‘reverse diligence’ helps the target company understand whether a potential buyer or merger partner is right for them.

In July 2016, Benchmark International’s client, Command Partners (a digital Marketing Firm) merged with Enventys (a Product Development Firm). These companies cater to helping entrepreneurs and startups locally and globally. Command Partners focuses on digital marketing for burgeoning companies using crowd funding and Enventys; expertise is in product design, engineering, manufacturing and fulfillment. The joint company will provide the following services, among others: marketing research, industrial design, engineering, prototyping, commercialization strategy, software and app development, branding, video production, digital marketing, public relations, search engine marketing, web development, lead generation and more.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that after an exciting year of growth, we are expanding our international reach to Ireland.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Furlong Business Solutions to Volaris Group.

Irrespective of the outcome and the eventual deal Britain strikes with the EU, there will be greater uncertainty for businesses in the near-term.

International M&A specialist, Benchmark International, has successfully facilitated the transaction between Carl Amber Brian Isaiah and Associates Co. (“CBAIA”) and Whalen Strategies, Inc. (“WSI”).

Headquartered in Fredericksburg, Virginia, CBAIA is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) which was established in Partlow, Virginia in 2005 by Carl Lawson Sr. CBAIA’s main offerings include Logistics Management and Hardware Lifecycle Support with a primary focus on providing outstanding support to the Department of Defense. In 2005, CBAIA’s efforts were honored with the United States Marine Corps Systems Command (USMS MCSC) Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Award and were highlighted for outstanding support services supporting the Marine Corp Logistics Command (Care of Supplies in Storage – Barstow, CA) in an official Marine Corp publication.

With over 30 years of experience in the defense contractor space, Kelly Whalen of WSI will be leading the CBAIA team as Chief Executive Officer. After spending his last 10 years in various executive positions in the life cycle logistics sector, Kelly will immediately take part in executing strategic initiatives to bolster CBAIA’s growth. The acquisition of CBAIA represents an excellent addition to WSI’s growing presence and further expands on its current footprint.

“Benchmark International played an instrumental role in marketing my family company, interviewing potential buyers, and properly cementing a deal that was beneficial to both parties, ultimately facilitating a successful acquisition,” said CBAIA’s Chief Operating Officer, Carl Lawson Jr. "From the beginning, the Benchmark team was diligent in identifying the perfect buyer for my business and brought multiple candidates to the table. Overall, WSI was the ideal fit from an acquirer standpoint and I’d like to extend a big thank you to Benchmark for the hard work and extraordinary effort that made this transaction a reality."

Trevor Talkie, Senior Associate at Benchmark International, added, “It was a pleasure working with the Lawson family from the early stages of our marketing process right through to the transaction closing. Given Carl Sr.’s vision for CBAIA and the strategic value that Kelly (WSI) brings to the table, we feel this deal was a win-win for both sides.” Director, Tyrus O’Neill, added, “Carl Sr. has built a tremendous business and we’re ecstatic to have brought his exit strategy goals to fruition. On behalf of Benchmark International, we wish both parties the very best moving forward.”

‘To err is human’, it’s said … but for sellers and buyers alike, the M&A process is surely not a good time to make mistakes.