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2018 Round-Up – The Strongest Sectors for UK M&A Revealed

Posted on January 31, 2019 By in

The UK M&A market during 2018 proved a successful year and, breaking it down into sectors, seven of the top ten saw a rise in deal value compared to 2017’s figures, despite cautious predictions from dealmakers because of the uncertain operating climate.

But which were the strongest sectors of 2018?

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Upcoming Webinar: 12 Biggest Mistakes Sellers Make in the Term Sheet

Date:
Tuesday, February 12th at 10:00am - 11:00am EST

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Details:

Maximizing value isn’t only about the headline price. It’s about getting the deal right, using your leverage when you have it, and knowing where you stand in the deal at all times. 

Sellers lose more money at the Term Sheet stage than in any other part of the process. Buyers know the ins and outs. They know how to best use the Term Sheet and the process that surrounds it to make their offers look better than they might end up being. For sellers, this is typically the least understood part of the company sale process. This experience gap is unfortunate for sellers because it results in not only lost value but at times the loss of the entire deal; a loss that comes after a great deal of financial and emotional investment. 

For sellers to truly maximize the value of their business in a sale, they must look beyond the headline number that usually appears in the first paragraph of the Term Sheet and understand the other key value drivers in the rest of the document. If the headline number was the only key term, Term Sheet’s would be one paragraph long. This quick introduction will concentrate on the 12 most common sell-side errors in the Term Sheet process.

Hosts:

Clinton Johnston
Managing Director
Benchmark International

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How to Deal with State Income Tax when Calculating EBITDA

As we all know, EBITDA is not defined under either accounting’s Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).  What’s worse is that there is no other evenly mildly authoritative source that delves into the specifics of the definition beyond much more than a one-word description of each letter’s meaning.

Despite its murky definition, EBITDA remains the lengua franca between buyers and sellers when discussing valuation of privately held companies. Regardless of the true manner in which the seller sets the minimum price for which she will part with her business and whichever of the likely more academic methods the buyer has used to determine its maximum purchase price, the parties tend to lob multiples of EBITDA back and forth across the negotiating table.

While the exact meaning of each letter in the acronym is worthy of its own discussion, there is perhaps no more frustrating issue than how to deal with state income tax in the “T” portion of the term. The frustration arises because some parties refuse to acknowledge that what is so eminently clear - that state income taxes should be treated in an identical manner to the treatment of federal income taxes.

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The very purpose of using EBITDA in these discussions is to place the concerned enterprise in neutral position with regard to capital structure, accounting decisions, and tax environments.  This is why, and all parties do agree on this point, federal income taxes would always be added back to earnings when making this calculation. The proponents of not adding back state income tax are never able to explain why differing treatments would result in better serving the objective of using EBITDA.

State income taxes, like federal income taxes, are only due when a business is profitable.  A business’s profitability is effected by, among other things, its capital structure (because more debt means more interest and interest reduces income and is therefore a tax shield whereas dividends do not and are not) and its depreciation (because, again, depreciation reduces earnings and serves as a tax shield). These factors have the same effect on state income taxes as they do federal income taxes.  Thus, the amount of federal and state income tax a business pays in a given year will vary depending on the quantity and rate of loans outstanding that year and the method and amount of depreciation employed (i.e., the entity’s capital structure and accounting decisions).  The amount of state income tax paid in a given measurement period is no more or less a function of the business’s operations than is its federal tax paid over that same period.

Further, while also not defined under GAAP, “profit before tax” (PBT) is a term more commonly used by accountants than EBITDA, appearing on a fair number, if not the majority, of companies’ routine income statements.  As accountants will always take this measurement before including the expense of both federal and state income taxes, why should the same logic not apply to EBITDA?  EBITDA is, of course, simply PBT minus interest, depreciation and amortization charges.

Proponents of disparate treatment suggest that the state income tax is an unavoidable cost of doing business. But this argument fails for two reasons.  First of all, it is not unavoidable. As discussed above, high debt levels and aggressive depreciation can allow the minimization or avoidance of state income tax (just as they can for federal income tax).  But more significantly, it is not the job of EBITDA to take out only the “avoidable cost of doing business.” Eliminating 401k matching, reducing salaries, renegotiating a better lease, or relocating to smaller premises may also be ways to reduce the cost of doing business. Yet no one proposes adding benefits, salaries, and rent to EBITDA because they are wholly or partially “avoidable”.

Continuing with this logic, state income taxes are avoidable by changing domicile just as federal income taxes are avoidable by changing domicile.  Ask Tyco, Fruit of the Loom, Sara Lee, Seagate or any of the other 43 formerly US companies that the Congressional Research Service identified as redomiciled for this purpose in the decade leading up to the 2014 election.  Would the EBITDA of any of these companies not have included an addback for federal income tax because it was an “avoidable cost of doing business”?

Ah, state income tax, the poor runt of the litter in the world of finance. Too small to be taken seriously, too complicated to be understood, and too varied to warrant the time.  Five states have no such tax on corporate entities. Most of the other 45 do not impose it on entities making federal S-elections.  Those who do impose it do so in many different ways.  And the names are so confusing, often being called by another name that allows the state’s development board to claim they do not have a state corporate income tax. Capped at 6% or less in most states, it pales in comparison to the 35% federal rate. (Though Iowa hits double digits at 12%, it is the only state to do so and there exists no documented record of anyone ever buying a business in Iowa.) How unfortunate that this scrawny beast seems to raise its head so uncannily when a deal is on the line, in those final days when the parties are so close yet so far away on valuation and the closing hinges on the fate of this oft-misunderstood adjustment to earnings.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the merger between Amtis, Inc. and Blackfish Federal, LLC.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the acquisition of AMTIS, Inc. by Blackfish Federal, LLC.

AMTIS, Inc. (AMTIS) is a diversified government service company providing leadership development, executive coaching, strategic planning facilitation, training development, business processing and professional services for multiple Federal government agencies.

BlackFish Federal, LLC (BlackFish), is an IT and healthcare solutions provider dedicated to helping solve its customers’ biggest business problems. Whether through applying innovative IT solutions or providing healthcare management support services, BlackFish consultants use their problem-solving skills to turn challenges into opportunities.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Barbara Stankowski, President and owner of AMTIS said “The sale of my company was an extremely lengthy and taxing process. Throughout the entire sales effort, the Benchmark team was very professional, responsive and kept their eye on the end goal, allowing me to continue running my business. I would highly recommend Benchmark to any small to mid-size business owner that is considering the sale or merger of their firm. I am excited for the AMTIS employees, and all of our customers who will remain in qualified and capable hands with BlackFish leadership team now behind the wheel.”

“We’re very pleased to have recently completed the acquisition of AMTIS. Together, BlackFish and AMTIS create a strong strategic fit that will provide our customers a fully integrated leadership and professional services organization. Our overlap in customer base and services offered, accompanied by AMTIS' experienced management team and operational staff will create a seamless transition for each of AMTIS’ existing clients.” said Donald Jones, CEO of BlackFish.

Benchmark International Associate Director David Steverson stated, “We would like to congratulate AMTIS, Inc. and Barbara Stankowski, as well as the buyer, BlackFish Federal. This acquisition was disrupted by a number of external forces, including a partial government shutdown, but ultimately concluded with a completed transaction. Special thanks goes to the various specialists working on both sides of the transaction beyond Benchmark: Shuffield Lowman, PilieroMazza, Genaesis, and McMahon Welch and Learned.”

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Retirement Tips for Business Owners

Planning for retirement can be a daunting task, but if you follow some basic principles and seek the proper help, the process can be reassuring and even empowering. 

Start with the numbers.

The first step you will want to take in planning your retirement is to figure out how big of a nest egg you will need in order to live comfortably. Once you set your goal, you can assess your current position and determine how much time you will need in order to meet that goal, and any additional steps you’ll need to take to make it happen. Consider the amount of income you expect to earn over your remaining working years and how much you want to contribute to retirement plans. A quick Google search for online retirement calculators can give you an easy starting point. 

Determine your company’s valuation.

Before you can thing about selling, you need to know what your business is worth. Your company’s cash flow, market value comparable to other companies, and precedent transactions are all factors in business valuation. You’ve worked hard to build your business and you shouldn’t have to make compromises when you want to retire. Consulting a company broker such as Benchmark International will help you get an accurate picture of your company’s worth and take the next steps in selling your business in the smartest way possible and with the smoothest transition. After all, you want your freedom to retire, but you also want your employees to be taken care of and your core business values to remain in tact.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Invest early.

It’s crucial to start investing in your retirement as early as possible. Whether it’s a 401k or an individual retirement account (IRA) or both, investing sooner means earning more interest. 401k plans have higher maximum contribution levels and a preselected list of limited investment choices. IRAs allow you to invest in a wide variety of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and individual stocks and bonds. 

Another option to consider is a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan. It gives the business owner a vehicle to contribute to their employees’ retirement savings as well as their own, with easy setup and flexible options for funding. Annual earnings are not taxed and it grows tax-deferred, and there are no maximum contributions. 

Most importantly, all of these options allow your money to grow tax-free. If you have already begun to invest, take a step back to look at your investment plan and see if you need to make it more aggressive to achieve your goal within the expected timeframe. Consulting a financial expert can help you choose what type of retirement plan is right for you and create a blueprint to make the most of it. 

Strike a balance.

Saving and investing are not one and the same—and you’ll need to do both. Place money into a savings account that has slow but guaranteed growth. As a counterbalance, invest money in an investment account that carries some risk. While there’s always a risk you can lose your principal, the return may be quite high if invested wisely.

Diversification of your financial portfolio is also an important component of your retirement plan. Factor in goals, risks, and think about how to reduce vulnerabilities. The younger you are, the more aggressively you can invest. Consulting a financial planner can help you easily determine what is right for you.

Get exit planning advice.

You’ve put everything into building your business. When the exciting time comes to move on from that business, you’ll want to start planning your exit strategy sooner rather than later. Think about how you would like to see the business make a successful transition. Think about increasing the value of your business and selling at the right time. The smartest way to do this is to partner with a trusted M&A firm such as Benchmark International to help you make your dreams a reality. They will help with your company valuation and offer a winning strategy tailored to your specific needs, and even help you find the perfect buyer. Even if you only wish to partially retire, creating an exit plan opens up your options and gives you peace of mind for when the time comes for a transition.  

Take the next step.

If you are ready to plan for your retirement and create a successful company exit strategy, call Benchmark International today.

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Elite Facades Ltd and Acuity Management Ltd

Posted on January 25, 2019 By in Deal completions + UK M&A + Dealmaking

Benchmark International has advised on the transaction between roofing, cladding and façade company, Elite Facades, and private equity company, Acuity Management.

Elite Facades specialises in all aspects of flat roofing, built-up composite and twin skin cladding systems for clients including BAM and Bouygues.

The company is to operate as part of the larger Elite Facades Holdings, a newly-formed subsidiary of Gibraltar-headquartered Acuity, an alternative private equity fund that acquires equity ownership in SMEs via intelligent buyouts, where the acquired entity retains its independence.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Under the terms of the deal, Patrick Feeney will remain as a director and shareholder of Elite Facades Holdings.

He said: "Elite Facades is very pleased to be part of the larger Elite Facades Holdings. The transaction will provide the business with greater stability and further access to additional investment, while helping to support the pace of rapid growth we are pursuing."

Benchmark International would like to thank all parties involved and we wish them all the very best of luck for the future.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated The Acquisition of Jackson Galloway Associates LLC. by FGM Architects, Inc

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the acquisition of Jackson Galloway Associates, LLC to FGM Architects, Inc. Benchmark International worked effectively with the sellers to ensure that their goals were met from a financials as well as cultural perspective.

Jackson Galloway Associates, LLC is a highly-reputable firm that provides full-service architecture and interior design for the Texas market.  The majority of their clients are churches, public and private schools, athletic facilities and non-profit organizations in the Texas market with a high focus in Austin, one of the fastest growing cities in the country.

FGM Architects is a professional service firm with an emphasis on design and service.  Since 1945, FGM Architects has specialized in the planning and design of environments for PK-12 Education, High Education, Municipal and Federal clients. They offer a unique combination of experience, talent and a collaborative design process.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Benchmark International was able to procure for Jackson Galloway Associates a buyer that met their goals in regards to financial terms as well as cultural fit and an aligned vision in regards to their design capabilities.  Benchmark International represented the sellers for over two years in a diligent effort to find the ideal buyer.

According to John Jackson, AIA, now Managing Director of the Austin Office of Jackson Galloway FGM Architects “'Our transition was assisted by the personal and professional team at Benchmark, International, who walked us through every step and helped us to stay on task to the very end.”

Benchmark International’s Senior Associate, J.P. Santos, commented “The Benchmark International team is very happy for John Jackson, Bob Galloway and the entire Jackson Galloway Associates team.  From the outset, the shared vision in terms of design and corporate culture between Jackson Galloway Associates and FGM was apparent and was helpful in coming to equitable terms.  Both parties were collaborative in their efforts to bring this deal together and we are excited to see what the combined firms can do going forward.”

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Benchmark International has Advised on the Sale of Space Age Building Products Limited to GJB Developments PLC

Posted on January 24, 2019 By in Deal completions + UK M&A + Dealmaking

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Reading-based Space Age Building Products (Space Age) and GJB Developments (T/A GJB Window Systems), based in Essex.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Space Age is a wholesaler supplying plastic building products to trade and retail customers. The company supplies UPVC plastic fascia, guttering, windows, conservatories and associated plastic products. It additionally has a distribution network offering next day delivery to clients based in Berkshire, North Hampshire, South Oxford and Buckinghamshire.

GJB Window Systems has been fabricating and supplying market-leading window and door systems for over 25 years from its on-site factory in Essex.

The acquisition has allowed GJB to extend its geographical presence by opening a trade counter in Reading.

On behalf of everyone at Benchmark International, we would like to wish both parties every success for the future.

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Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the acquisition of Texas Engineering Solutions, LLC to Atwell, LLC.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the acquisition of Texas Engineering Solutions, LLC to Atwell, LLC.  Benchmark International worked diligently to find a Buyer that was an ideal candidate to ensure the goals of the sellers from a financials and corporate fit perspective.

Texas Engineering Solutions, LLC is a land development consulting firm providing a range of civil engineering, utility and infrastructure design, as well as planning and land development services in Central Texas.

Atwell, LLC is a consulting, engineering and construction services firm that delivers a broad range of technical solutions to clients in the real estate and land development, power and energy, and oil and gas markets.  They provide comprehensive professional services including engineering, planning, surveying, landscape architecture, environmental consulting, program management and construction services to a diverse blend of clients

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Benchmark International was able to procure for Texas Engineering Solutions, LLC a buyer that met their financial goals while also being an ideal cultural fit and providing the additional resources that the buyer was searching for.  Benchmark International corresponded with numerous potential investors and the Owners of Texas Engineering Solutions had several in-person meetings until they met with the representatives from Atwell, LLC.  

Per Brian Wenzel, CEO of Atwell, LLC “We believe identifying the right opportunity with the right fit is critical for success in the M&A space.  In working with Benchmark International on our most recent acquisition, we realized they share that same vision.  Not only was the [Benchmark International] team helpful throughout the process, but their approach to this engagement was comprehensive, thoughtful and focuses while placing significant emphasis on the success of the combined firms.  We look forward to working with them on future opportunities.”

Benchmark International’s Senior Associate, J.P. Santos, commented “The Benchmark International team is excited for Texas Engineering Solutions as they join a firm in Atwell, LLC that aligns with their corporate goals.  As Texas Engineering Solutions enters this next chapter, the mutual respect and admiration amongst the two firms leaves little doubt that the combined entities will continue to thrive and grow as a business.”

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Dial-A-Loo Limited and Universal Tanker Solutions Limited

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between two water and waste water logistics firms – Dial-A-Loo and Universal Tanker Solutions.

Based in Tyne & Wear, Dial-A-Loo has been operating for almost 30 years as a supplier of commercial and domestic water and wastewater logistics, alongside portable toilet hire, to clients across the North East that operate in the construction and shipbuilding sectors.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Offering similar services to Dial-A-Loo, Universal Tanker Solutions provides a waste water removal and non-potable water delivery service to domestic, commercial and industrial clients.

The combined entity will allow Universal Tanker Solutions to increase its geographical coverage, as well as its tanker fleet.

Benchmark International would like to thank all parties involved and we wish them all the very best of luck for the future.

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Benchmark International Wins Silver Addy Award

Benchmark International was awarded a Silver ADDY Award by the American Advertising Awards. The ADDY was awarded for Benchmark’s rebranding initiative.

The rebranding initiative revamped the look and feel of the overall Benchmark brand, including a newly designed logo. The new branding is very elegant and conveys quality, professionalism, and a high level of sophistication. You can see the refined branding showcased throughout the Benchmark website.

The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry’s largest competition, with more than 25,000 entries each year in local AAF Ad Club Competitions. Its mission is to reward the creative spirit of excellence in advertising. Selection of the most creative entry in each category is determined by a scoring process, in which a panel of judges evaluates all dimensions of every piece.

Congratulations to the Benchmark marketing team for such a deserved recognition!

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M&A Mistakes to Avoid

The merger and acquisition (M&A) process requires careful planning, professional support, and an understanding of the deal dynamics involved in the negotiations. Completing a transaction is not easy. Many sellers only do a transaction only once in a life time. Companies that have not been engaged in many M&A transactions frequently make mistakes that can result in a less favorable price or terms. They can even potentially destroy the deal.

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Positive Year Ahead Anticipated for UK M&A

Posted on January 18, 2019 By in Brexit + UK M&A + Dealmaking + 2019

The UK is expected to be one of the most popular locations for deal activity in 2019, mirroring a successful year in 2018.

Megadeals boosted the value of transactions in 2018 as, while the volume of UK deals only rose slightly, deals such as Japanese-based Takeda Pharmaceutical’s acquisition of UK-based Shire for £62bn saw a 4% increase in transaction value from £291bn the year before.

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Benchmark International  Successfully Facilitated The Acquisition Of T3 Technologies, LLC (d/b/a T3 TigerTech) To Bluestone Government Solutions.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the acquisition of T3 Technologies, LLC (d/b/a T3 TigerTech) to Bluestone Government Solutions, LLC.  Benchmark International worked diligently to find a buyer that was an ideal candidate to ensure the goals of the sellers were met, from both a financial and corporate-fit perspective.

T3 Technologies, LLC  (d/b/a T3 TigerTech) is a diversified government contractor specializing in project management, predictive and big data analytics, program data management, and supply chain management for multiple government agencies. 

Don Zacherl, CEO of T3 said, “The Benchmark International team was very professional, responsive, and provided great guidance during our transaction process.  Having Benchmark on our side, and focusing on the details of the transaction process, allowed our management team to continue to concentrate on the day-to-day running of our business.”

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Bluestone Government Solutions, LLC provides information technology, agile development, big data analytics and geospatial intelligence services to public entities.  It supports the federal  agencies within the intelligence community and the greater DoD, along with
civilian agencies. 
 

AudraFrizzell, CEO of Bluestone Government Solutions said “We are very excited about the acquisition of T3.  The company comes with an experienced management team that has been at the core of its success.”

Benchmark International was able to procure a buyer for T3 Technologies, LLC that met its financial goals, was an ideal cultural fit, and also provided the buyer the additional resources it had been searching for. Benchmark International corresponded with numerous potential investors, and the owner of T3 Technologies had several
in-person meetings prior to being introduced to the representatives from Bluestone Government Solutions, LLC.  

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Pellings and RSK Group

Benchmark International has successfully advised on a deal between the group of Pellings companies (Pellings LLP, J & A Pellings and Pelling Limited) and RSK Group Limited, which marks RSK’s ninth acquisition in as many months as well as its largest acquisition to date.

Pellings, a group of companies which provide a complete spectrum of architectural services, building surveying, project management and related professional services for housing, education and healthcare projects, have 125 staff and four offices covering North, West, South and Central London.

RSK is an integrated environmental, engineering and technical services consultancy, which has 36 international offices, more than 2,700 employees and an annual turnover of £200m. It is currently actively investing in Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa and former Soviet Union countries, and has an active client base of 7,000 organisations spread across these regions.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

The group of Pellings companies have significant synergies with RSK and the joint venture will expand their services to a wider range of sectors in a greater geographical area.

Post-acquisition, Pellings will become part of RSK’s geosciences and engineering division. The companies' current leadership team, including its managing director Richard Claxton, will join RSK and continue to drive the business forward.

RSK’s founder and chief executive officer, Dr Alan Ryder, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with the company [Pellings], a growing business that will enhance RSK’s service offering to its clients.”

On behalf of everyone at Benchmark International, we would like to wish both parties every success for the future.

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Is It Time To Sell My Business ?

Determining whether it is a good time to sell your business is one of the most challenging decisions a business owner has to make. There are innumerable factors that affect this decision and it’s important to not get overwhelmed. A few things to take into account are financial situation, the company’s future/outlook, the opportunity cost of time, and the type of deal structure being pursued.

Financial Situation

Usually, the first factor that business owners consider when making the decision to sell is the financial impact this will have on their lives. It’s important to analyze one’s current lifestyle and how a potential sale would change that – what the payoff would be. Unless a business owner is in a troubled situation, they’ll want to make sure that the decision to sell will not hinder their long-term lifestyle. A hasty decision here can have a catastrophic economic ripple effect. But, selling at a time that maximizes economic profit can potentially result in lifelong financial freedom.

 

Company’s Outlook

If an owner is at a point to even consider selling a business, there’s a high probability that they’ve put in a significant amount of time, effort, and capital into it. Pondering this decision generally stems from a plateau in company growth or changes in the industry landscape. When this stage is reached, one must determine if they are in a position to take the company to the next level or if it is better to move on after building it to this point. It’s important to understand that being aware of “when to get out” is not a slight on the owner. Rather, it is the recognition of an opportunity to pursue other goals. The business has been a large part of life, the employees are important, and the hopes of a successful future is why companies are built. So, the key is to make sure that the “hands” the company is going to be in moving forward satisfy the needs of all the key people that are going to be impacted by a
potential transaction.

 

Time

Letting go of something that has been such a large part of one’s life can be very daunting. The fear that this is “the end of the line” for a business owner is often what doesn’t allow an individual to make a decision with sound judgement. The opportunity cost of time needs to be taken into consideration – that is, what you can allocate time to in life that you were unable to do before. Perhaps an exit can allow more time with family or another business venture; all such options open up more once the full scope of a business sale is analyzed beyond the initial fear.

 

Deal Structure

The type of deal for a business sale is arguably the most important factor when making the decision to sell. The beauty about this is that deals can be structured in almost any way imaginable. Many owners think that selling a business is an “all or nothing” type of transaction. But the reality is that majority of business acquisitions are centered around partial sales and/or long-term seller incentives. It is perfectly reasonable for a founder/owner to retain ownership to “keep some skin in the game” or to have a management agreement that allows them to continue being involved in the company. Owners need to educate themselves on the kind of deal structures most suited for them and understand that the scope of deal types is far more customizable than people realize. 

 

As has been pretty clear, there is no cookie-cutter process behind making the decision to sell a business. Individuals need to take countless variables into consideration when doing something of this magnitude. A great way to begin this process is to narrow down what aspects of the decision are most important to the owner and then analyzing each variable individually. Most importantly, don’t forget that if a deal is thinkable, it is achievable.

 

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Is The End Near?

For the last several years, the saying has been “There’s never been a better time to sell.” Multiples have been high. Buyers have been plentiful. Debt has been cheap.  Optimism has run strong. The truth is, it is undeniably still a great time to sell; it’s never been better.  But …

It takes time to sell and for the first time since emerging from the Great Recession, certainty about whether or not the later part of the new year will be a good time to sell- the best ever – is down. Anyone who says they can predict these markets is a fool.  But the probability of a turn is certainly high and increasing as we begin this year.

The good news is that the signs indicate not an immediate downturn but rather one that can still be beaten to the finish line. Selling a business should take six months to a year. Thus anyone moving out now on a process should be able to take advantage of these good times – if they get started fast and, more than ever, move diligently and place a higher emphasis on certainty of close when selecting their winning bidder.

The change in the tea leaves really began in November and accelerated throughout December. Some of the key indicators include:

  • In a December Duke University poll, almost half of responding U.S. CFO’s stated that they believed a recession was likely to occur in 2019. Even more compelling, more than 80% of those CFO’s felt recession would strike by the end of 2020.[1]Right or wrong; the respondents to this poll are the key influencers of the amount of M&A activity generated by strategic buyers – and those most responsible for bad deals. If the economy does sour, or they simply believeit is going to sour, they will not be sticking their necks out for adventuresome acquisitions at record multiples.
  1. The public markets provide several signs.  The first is the relative comparison of the large caps, to the midcaps, and then to the small caps. The M&A market for privately-held companies can essentially be seen as a microcap extension of the public markets. While we all know the public markets did not do well last year, what most have not commented upon is that in the last four months of the year, according to the Wall Street Journal, (2) large caps were down 5.5%, midcaps were down 8.6% and small caps are down 16.4% going into the last trading week of the year.We’ve not yet seen the extension of this extrapolated line into the private markets but one must wonder how long the trickle-down effect will take.  Smaller companies tend to do well at the beginning of an upturn and larger cap companies do better at the end.
  • Debt is becoming a more attractive alternative for investors. This will be problematic to the sellers of businesses for various reasons. Most obviously, M&A buyers are large consumers of debt. They use it to buy companies. If they must pay more for their debt, they have less money left in their accounts to offer sellers. Less obviously but probably more significantly, the historically abysmal returns debt has offered for much of the last decade have led many typical debt investors, including insurance companies and pension funds, to provide equity to private equity funds. Flush with this extra cash, PE funds have been on a buying spree which is commonly stated to be the driving force behind today’s frothy valuations. As those investors shift back to the more normalized bond markets, private equity will have less energy and vigor for aggressive bidding.
  • The financial press seems to be of the mind that the artificial boost to strategic buyers provided by the recent tax cuts has run its course. Is this a fair assessment or simply “Trump-bashing”? We have no idea but we all know that in the markets, sentiment is often more important than reality. Perhaps the fact that 2018 saw increasingly attractive results for sellers was a result of those tax cuts carrying the bull market on around for one last lap. Again, we are not talking certainties here, just indications and probabilities.
  • The strong dollar has dampened the ability of foreign buyers to compete in the US markets.With yet another class of buyers lowering their activity levels, it may not be long before the laws of supply and demand kick in and the equilibrium point on the old supply and demand curves shifts down and to the left.
  • China has largely gone home. As 2018 proceeded, the Chinese government tightened its grip on the export of capital. In the last half of 2018, the US government began to make Chinese investors feel unwelcome as well. Numerous high-profile deals were killed in a very visible fashion as a result of regulatory interference on both sides of the Pacific. These included, most notably, the purchase of Recurrent Energy Developments operations by Shenzhen Energy in August and then Broadcom’s acquisition of Qualcomm.  According to CNN Money, Chinese investment in the US fell by 92% between the first half of 2018 and the first half of 2017 – 92% - and has been declining steadily since the second half of 2016.[1]Add to this the late 2018 US-China financial cold war and China’s slowly increasing realization that it has been splurging on debt that is now coming due and proving hard to pay down, and the spigot is now approaching the closed position.
  • Forecasted growth of companies in the US public markets has taken a definite downturn. The S&P 500 saw collective growth of 7.3% in sales and 8.2% in profit year-over-year in the third quarter. The Wall Street Journal has been consistently predicting over the last three months that those same figures in a year will have fallen to 5.4% and 4.1% respectively.[1]While the private markets are not the public markets, both are selling that intangible asset known as future cash flows and if buyers feel the big companies can’t continue to deliver outsized returns, they are likely to share at least some of that sentiment when it comes to the private markets.
  • Divided government might bring an end to the pro-business approach demonstrated over the last two years. The people that matter state that decreased regulation, lower taxes, and a more tolerant enforcement environment have benefited their businesses and increased the prices they are willing to pay for companies. But a period of more compromise is now inevitable and the uncertainty of the 2020 elections will likely only grow and bring with it a sense of increased risk that will affect valuations.
  • All good things must come to an end. We have enjoyed a ten-year bull market in M&A, both private and public.  That qualifies as “long in the tooth” to be as polite as possible.  It seems that 4% GDP growth is not sustainable. Unemployment can’t go any lower. Further tax decreases seem unlikely. The federal deficit and debt are growing. Interest rates are not likely to drop. Confidence and sentiment could not be higher than they were three months ago and are in fact a bit lower now than they were then.

The good news is that we’ve seen absolutely no indication that the market for private companies has yet been affected by these indications. Furthermore, changes in valuation, whether favorable or unfavorable, have not historically occurred rapidly. If there is to be a drop in multiples, it will be perhaps not gradual but at least measured. That said, the probability we now face is that we are more likely than before to look back from a spot twelve months in the future and say “I remember when it, was the best time to sell.”

Author:
Clinton Johnston
Managing Director
Benchmark International

T: 1-813-898-2363
E: Johnston@benchmarkcorporate.com

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between NRG Automation Ltd and Indutrade AB

Benchmark International has advised on the transaction between NRG, a supplier of motors and controls for gates and barriers, to Indutrade.

NRG is a specialist supplier of drives, motors and controls for industrial, commercial and residential doors and shutters, also offering a range of gate and barrier automation. Customers are manufacturers and installation contractors of doors, shutters and gates in the UK and Ireland.

Indutrade’s portfolio company, Ellard Ltd, has high synergies with NRG, as it is a specialist manufacturer and distributor of drives and controls for industrial, commercial, and residential doors and shutters. As such, there is a crossover of products/customers leading to opportunities to cross sell.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Post-acquisition, a new management group has been formed from both companies, ensuring Ellard and NRG can fully capitalise on the many opportunities the venture creates.

James Robinson, Transaction Leader on the deal, commented: “It has been a pleasure to work with Paul and Andy over the months and we are delighted that the sale has gone through to the most suitable acquirer and right home for the business. We wish Paul, Andy and the new owners the very best for the future.”

On behalf of everyone at Benchmark International, we would like to wish both parties every success for the future.

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Intec UK Limited and NRL Group Limited

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the transaction between Intec UK, a specialist recruitment business in the energy and power sector, to NRL Group, a recruitment company with a c£170M turnover.

Intec has more than 35 years' experience, placing both temporary and permanent candidates with an engineering and technical skillset in various industries, offering a full complement of recruitment services.

Intec’s services will complement NRL’s recruitment capabilities within the technical sector, increasing reach in associated sectors and taking the combined group turnover to about £180m.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Andrew Redmayne, chief executive of NRL, said: "NRL is delighted to announce the successful acquisition of Intec UK Ltd.

The acquisition is part of our strategic growth plan and we are pleased to welcome Intec’s employees, contractors and clients to the NRL Group.

We are excited about the future development opportunities that the acquisition will create for both NRL and Intec, to offer all our clients an unrivalled recruitment service experience."

On behalf of everyone at Benchmark International, we would like to wish both parties every success for the future.

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2019 is the Year to Put Your Exit Strategy in Motion; Here’s why:

M&A Activity has remained steady over the last year, but can the same be expected of the years to come? A closer review of the annual activity for 2018 indicates that the peak of the M&A cycle is slowly coming to a plateau. It’s time for business owners to reflect and decide whether riding out the next few years is truly worth it.  

Here’s what we know about M&A activity and what we can predict based on current trends. Year over year, the total number of completed deals has been on a slow and steady decline from 2015 to 2018. In 2015, there was a total of 16,566 deals completed. Whereas, in 2018, there have been 10,734 deals completed so far. Although there has been an impressive total deal value of more than $800 billion completed in deals so far in the US for the 2018 cycle, that value is a decrease from previous years.  

What business owners have to look forward to in the coming years is a bit of uncertainty, especially following the anticipated 2020 presidential elections. 2019 is expected to be another great year for M&A transactions, but it may very well be one of the last for this incredibly hot activity we have experienced recently 

Following the 2016 elections, there was a short pause in activity followed by a quick uptick and a wave of transactions. The 2018 midterm elections were an indication of the coming “blue tsunami” predicted in 2020, with the Democratic Party taking hold of the House of Representatives. A change in political leadership can unsettle the ship that so many have been sailing upon for the last four years. President Trump’s 2016 campaign was centered on economic surety, and that surety brought a wealth of support for M&A transactions to follow. Should a new leader be at the helm of the nation following elections, volatility in the market is certain 

In addition to an anticipated election, there is no denying that the successful economic swing that has taken place thus far has also had an effect on the current market standing. A fourth interest rate increase is anticipated before the end of 2018, and three additional hikes are estimated to take place in 2019. Buyers will be wearier of transaction decisions as interest rates increase. They will not want to pay high valuations as those seen in previous years because the purchase risk will increase as a result.  

Now is the time for business owners to act before the market shifts from a sellers’ market to a buyers’ market. Steadily increasing interest rates will give more power to buyers in transaction negotiations. Business owners should keep this in mind before they decide to wait a few more years to put their exit plans in place.  

Moreover, the market is predicted to become somewhat saturated over the next decade as more adults are coming to retirement age. Baby Boomers make up approximately 60% of privately-held businesses in the in the US, and this means the number of businesses on the market are going to increase a great deal.  

As a result, valuations for businesses will likely decrease. Buyers will have many options at their disposal for their ventures, so they will have a higher competitive advantage against sellers. Sellers can take advantage of the current market and get ahead of the game now.  

A transaction can take anywhere from one year to eighteen months to complete on average. Getting a business on the market sooner rather than later will give sellers the power to take advantage of lower interest rates and getting a deal locked in before the market is filled with a myriad of new businesses.  

A sell-side mergers and acquisitions firm helps business owners derive the most value for their businesses in a sale. Benchmark International is a firm with decades of experience and a wealth of dedicated professionals who are looking out for our clients’ best interests in a transaction from start to finish. If you want to learn more about where the market is headed and what your options are, we can help you formulate an effective exit strategy now. 

 

WE ARE READY WHEN YOU ARE. 

Call Benchmark International today if you are interested in an exit or growth strategy or if you are interested in acquiring.

 

Schedule A Call

 

Americas: Sam Smoot at +1 (813) 898 2350 / Smoot@BenchmarkCorporate.com

Europe: Carl Settle at +44 (0)161 359 4400 / Settle@BenchmarkCorporate.com

Africa: Anthony McCardle at +2721 300 2055 / McCardle@BenchmarkCorporate.com

 

ABOUT BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL

Benchmark International’s global offices provide business owners in the middle market and lower middle market with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. To date, Benchmark International has handled engagements in excess of $5B across 30 industries worldwide. With decades of global M&A experience, Benchmark International’s deal teams, working from 13 offices across the world, have assisted hundreds of owners with achieving their personal objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses.

Website: http://www.benchmarkcorporate.com
Blog: http://blog.benchmarkcorporate.com/

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