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Benchmark International Is Proud To Be The Main Jersey Sponsor For Montverde Academy

Benchmark International is incredibly proud to be the main Jersey sponsor for Montverde Academy. Benchmark International aligns itself with partners that have the best-in-class programs. Montverde International Academy is a coeducational, independent school that serves grades Pre-K3-12. The academy strives to increase knowledge and to develop character through a nurturing and diverse community. In addition, Montverde International Academy is home to an athletic training Mecca, developing the world's best athletes. Their state-in-the-art facilities include an athletic complex that spreads over 33 acres, an Olympic-sized aquatic center, a 44 square foot indoor athletic center, a world-class equestrian center, and many more. The Montverde International Futbol club (MIFC) finished their season with a number 1 ranking and was crowned the 2019-2020 National Champions!

The Athletic Department believes that through athletic opportunity, they have the unique ability to build a solid foundation of young adults based on character, knowledge, and community. With similar beliefs as one another, Benchmark International is excited to help support the Montverde International Academy.

You can learn more about Montverde International Academy and their athletics here - Montverde Academy Athletics 

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Strategic Partnership Between Yuni Beauty, LLC and Rechemtex, LLC

Benchmark International’s client Yuni Beauty, LLC, a California-based all-natural wellness and beauty brand, has strategically partnered with Rechemtex, LLC in Dallas, Texas.

Yuni Beauty offers clean, natural beauty products for the body, skin and hair, and aromatherapy items. All products are created with non-toxic, vegan, quality ingredients and sustainable packaging. The company’s target market is busy, urban, active individuals that prioritize clean beauty, wellness, health, and stress relief.

Rechemtex is a Texas Domestic Limited-Liability Company.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Benchmark International proved value in finding a strategic partner for Yuni Beauty with experience in the industry through its proprietary multi-medium marketing strategies. In addition, Benchmark International incorporated several campaigns with local, regional, and national associations.

Transaction Director Amy Alonso commented, “We are thrilled that our client can step away from the business knowing that his legacy will be carried on and the company will continue to grow. It was a pleasure to represent Yuni Beauty in this partnership, and on behalf of Benchmark International, we wish both parties all the best in the future.”

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Benchmark International successfully facilitated the transaction of Writech Industrial Services Ltd & Writech Manufacturing Ltd to Waterland Private Equity

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the majority sale of Irish fire-protection systems company, Writech, to Waterland.

Established in 1981 by Thomas and Mary Wright, Writech provides fire protection system design, installation, manufacture, commissioning, and services across a range of sectors including logistics, data centres, life sciences, office, retail, and food & beverage.

Sons Ted and Alan Wright took over the business in 2008, now generating more than €20m in revenue. Writech will use Waterland’s investment to expedite expansion plans in Europe and the UK, as well as increase output at its Mullingar centre, creating over 30 jobs.

Do you have an exit or growth strategy in place?
Waterland is a Dutch-based private equity house, headed by Laura Dillon in Ireland. The investment group has €8bn in assets under management across Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Poland, and Switzerland.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Casoria Company Limited and OQEMA AG

Posted on August 26, 2021 By in Deal completions

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the transaction between Casoria and OQEMA has completed.

County Cavan-based Casoria was established in 1998 and is a distributor of a range of chemicals and metals to the Irish market.

With headquarters in Mönchengladbach, Germany, and a base in Oxfordshire, OQEMA is a global chemical manufacturing and distribution company. It is one of the largest chemical distributors in Europe with almost 1,250 employees currently working at 45 locations in 23 countries.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

The management of Casoria will remain in place and the company will join part of the OQEMA Western Hub, which also includes the existing Irish based businesses of the group.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Total Nutrition Technology, LLC and Brandless, Inc.

Total Nutrition Technology of Leesburg, Florida, is a full-service nutritional supplement source providing services ranging from product development through fulfillment. Founded in 2003, TNT has been included on the INC 5,000 list of fastest-growing companies and is the leader in its markets served, with products shipped throughout the United States and internationally.

Brandless of San Francisco provides a wide range of premium quality lifestyle products in the wellness, beauty, and home categories. With a focus on clean certifications and better living, the Brandless family of products is closely aligned to the superior offerings and reputation gained through the addition of Total Nutrition Technology.

Of the combination, Total Nutrition Technology Founder and CEO Lourdes McAgy commented, “We are exceedingly happy to be joining the Brandless family. Their focus on quality and delivery aligns perfectly with the way that we have built TNT, and we strongly believe that this combination will power both companies to an increased position of leadership in this space.”

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

The acquisition is backed by Clarke Capital Partners of Provo, Utah. Clarke is a family office focusing on founder-led businesses and multiple investments in the consumer products space.

Benchmark International Transaction Director William Sullivan stated regarding the transaction, “We were able to source a strong number of highly qualified buyers very quickly for Lourdes’s great company, providing her with the options that she deserved. Brandless was the most strategic choice, with perfect synergies to set them up for immediate expansion from day one. We could not be happier about this fantastic partnership.”

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The Current State Of Commercial Real Estate

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on all classes of commercial real estate. Yet, it also created some new opportunities within the commercial real estate (CRE) market, such as affordable rental prices, improved digital communication and payment facilitation, as well as new opportunities for business owners and investors. And further recovery is well underway.  

CRE prices fell 11% between March and May of 2020. Since July, prices increased 7%, erasing over half of those pandemic declines. With investors sitting on wealth, more investment in stocks and bonds took place, which pushed prices up and interest rates down. With inflation being a growing concern, more investors may look to commercial properties with leases that have built-in rent increases to keep pace with inflation.

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What is Private Equity and How Active is it in the Current Market?

While you may be hearing that the M&A market is currently active, numbers speak volumes. A recent article from U.S. News cited that private equity (PE) has inked more than 2,300 deals for the first five months of 2021. Year-over-year, this is just over a 21% increase in deal volume. In fact, according to Pitchbook data, in the first half of 2021, PE firms closed on 3,708 deals worth a combined $456.6 billion. That’s almost two-thirds of the $711.6 billion deal value recorded in the entire year of 2020, and the two years prior. It is estimated that there is roughly $3 trillion of dry powder—also known as available funds—on hand for investment, with even a large amount of assets under management.

Historically low-interest rates and record levels of fundraising have left private equity with dry power that they must put to use. The combination of these factors has created competitive bid scenarios for many sellers. It appears that many private equity firms believe that this trend will continue for the coming months. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, roughly 7% of private equity firms believe that the investment landscape will deteriorate in the coming months.

You may be asking yourself, “What is private equity?” Private equity firms obtain capital to invest in private companies. They have a set period of time to make the investments with the goal of optimizing return for their investors. Their investors tend to be institutional investors such as insurance companies, pension funds, endowments, etc.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

The firms typically invest in mature companies with predictable, steady cash flow and a need for operational changes or growth capital. Private equity firms will utilize their capital, connections, and expertise to help improve the managerial, financial, and operational aspects of the business. Their goal is to increase the profitability of the company as this will help drive the value of the company upon exit. The firms make investments with a ‘buy and build’ mentality.

Private equity firms realize their returns when they sell the investment. The firms tend to have a goal of roughly 20-30% return on their equity. Private equity firms will use leverage to help maximize their return. They also charge a management fee, typically a percentage of total assets under management, also known as AUM.

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Growing Business Trends For 2021-2022

Our world continues to change, and businesses must remain adaptive in order to keep pace with their competition and consumer demands. Thanks to new technologies, changing customer priorities, societal movements, and of course, repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic, business owners can expect certain industry shifts that began leading up to 2021 to continue into 2022.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Premier Choice Telecom Limited and Daisy Communications Ltd

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of hosted telephony solutions provider, Premier Choice Telecom, by Daisy Communications.

Established in 2001 by managing director Nicholas Stansfield, Premier Choice Telecom is a telecommunications service provider to businesses throughout the UK. The company provides telephone system installation, maintenance, cabling, network service billing, and other associated telecom services.

Daisy Communications is part of a wider Daisy Group, offering a variety of communications services to SMEs, with the transaction enabling Daisy Communications to boost its offering within the health, education and charity sectors.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

This highly strategic acquisition will see Premier Choice Telecom bring 1,500 customers and a 40-strong workforce to Daisy Communication’s team of 465 employees.

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EXTRACTING BALANCE SHEET CASH AT DEAL CLOSING

Most deal valuations are set out as a multiple of earnings, plus surplus assets. Nick Hulme’s article, Valuing Companies, is a great read for more detail on this.

As he mentions in the article, surplus assets come in many forms, and can include lump sums of cash sitting on the balance sheet, the company’s premises/real estate (if the sellers are going to keep these personally post-close) and even the yacht or Bentley in some cases.

Below are some simple rules for sellers to keep in mind when considering Free Cash, the most common surplus asset we encounter on our deals.


Rule #1 – Have Realistic Expectations 

A buyer will only allow you to extract cash at completion that is truly surplus to the requirements of the business going forward.

Think, perhaps, in terms of how much cash you could extract yourself without affecting the ongoing operations of the business, and how much you’d ordinarily want to leave in the business to guard against mid-month and month-to-month fluctuations in cash requirements.

Need help with a business offer?

In some cases, this cash can be extracted in a tax efficient manner (for example, in the UK where Capital Gains Tax is presently significantly lower than Income Tax, subject to certain conditions being met).

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Silver Sport Transmissions and The Wharton Automotive Group

Silver Sport Transmissions, the seller, is the largest and most versatile elite distributor of Tremec Corporation’s transmissions.  Their in-house engineering department’s experience is second to none and continually outshines bringing a client’s classic car “up to speed” through various product offerings.  The company prides itself on high quality and innovation in its respective field.     

The Wharton Automotive Group, consisting of McLeod Racing and FTI Performance, is owned by NHRA Nitro Funny Car driver and businessman Paul Lee.

Paul Lee continues to grow this sector of the driveline market. With the outstanding success of McLeod Racing, Lee sets his sights on growth in acquisitions. In 2019 Lee purchased the leading racing transmission and torque converter company, FTI Performance. In addition, he continues to grow his business strategy with the acquisition of Silver Sport Transmissions.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

“The team at Benchmark International, including Matthew Kekelis and Jack Chilcutt, did an excellent job of guiding Silver Sport Transmissions as the Sellers representative. Great representation is so important in today’s M&A market. As the Buyer, I was impressed how smooth and issue-free the transaction went to closing.” says Wharton Automotive Group president Paul Lee. “This transaction was the next step for Wharton Automotive Group’s goal of becoming the leader in the automotive driveline segment of the Worldwide Automotive Aftermarket industry.”

Transaction Director Matthew Kekelis at Benchmark International added,  “I genuinely believe that there was no better match for Silver Sport than Paul Lee and his team at The Wharton Group. Their professionalism and attention to detail throughout the acquisition process were outstanding.  We wish the best for all moving forward in this exciting new chapter.”

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Who Are Financial Buyers and What Opportunities Do They Present?

Financial buyers are the companies we work with that are typically labeled as private equity (PE), a family office, a hedge fund, etc. In the traditional sense, a financial buyer is primarily concerned with the cash flow generated by a company or asset that they acquire. They think about investment opportunities (clients to us) through the rate of return they can obtain from years of bottom-line enhancement and an eventual resale of the asset at a premium, or much higher valuation, than when they bought it. Like trading stocks, but with more hands-on involvement, they wish to “buy low and sell high.”

There’s a strong chance, however, that many of the buyers you’re likely to see now as a seller in the lower-middle market fit the mold of what I call the “new-look” financial buyer. Your traditional private equity funds, for example, now tout an investment strategy with no timeline for an exit on their portfolio companies. This approach emphasizes the “culture” their respective firms bring to the table for the seller, and in a highly competitive buyer market vying for deal flow, this might make all the difference.

The new-look financial buyer focuses on employee retention, low-cost growth initiatives, management equity rollover, and various other incentives to promote an environment free from the traditional return-over-everything stigma. Go to the “About” or “Approach” section of many of these firms, and I am willing to bet you’ll see words like “collaborate,” “legacy,” “partner”—perhaps even with a chart comparing their firm side-by-side with the traditional PE model to demonstrate explicitly how they’re different. This is especially prevalent in the lower-middle market where our clients are often owner-operated, founder-led businesses cultivated across generations and spanning multiple decades.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

A financial buyer must now separate itself from the competition, which is good news for our clients. As mentioned above, time horizons for financial buyers have increased in length as many PE firms now reorient as long-term investors. Many will make it a point to let our clients know they don’t intend to dramatically cut costs (including through personnel changes) as this would directly conflict with the evolving model.

At the same time, financial buyers (i.e., private equity groups and other institutional investors) can be lucrative partners for our clients through a variety of value-adding benefits that they bring to the partnership. These buyers, for example, often bring economies of scale through established and profitable portfolio (“platform”) companies and are therefore able to jumpstart revenue via access to untapped markets or unrealized customers bases. Furthermore, these platforms absorb back-office duties that might have previously slowed down the productivity of key employees, and even owners. Also, while exit strategies have become more relaxed from a timing perspective, financial buyers will not hold the asset indefinitely, and for sellers who maintain equity in the merged company post-acquisition, this means the opportunity to take a “second bite of the apple” upon exit.

When dealing with a financial buyer, be sure to ask some important questions:

  • Are you a committed capital fund? It’s important that they have financing available instead of “shopping” the deal after locking a client into a letter of intent.
  • Have you closed a deal before? Have you closed a deal in this space before? Note: a website with no portfolio page of active or inactive past deals can be a red flag.
  • What does your capital stack typically look like (i.e., how much leverage will they use or how much debt will be placed on the balance sheet on the company)?
  • How long has your fund been around?
  • Do you have operating partners in the space?
  • Why are you interested in our client?
  • How do you plan to integrate our client into your firm or existing platform company?
  • Culture is important to our clients. Can you speak to culture?
  • How do you typically structure your deals?
  • What is your timeline for a completed transaction?
  • Am I able to speak with owners of previous companies for deals you’ve completed?
  • My employees mean everything to me. What do you plan to do with them?

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Seller questions to the buyer will, of course, become more specific as the deal progresses. However, the basic questions above are a good starting point and represent the beginning of a potentially meaningful and lucrative journey for sellers considering PE for the next phase of their company’s growth.

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Benchmark International’s Kendall Stafford Wins Emerging Leaders Award

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that our very own Kendall Stafford has been named an Emerging Leader by The M&A Advisor’s M&A Awards.

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2021 Energy & Sustainability Report: Progress, Trends, And M&A

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed to the world just how unprepared entire business sectors can be when it comes to unexpected events of mass proportion, and just how delicate our global supply chains actually are. COVID has been a health crisis that impacted lives, economies, and industries. Climate-driven events and disasters occur on a more concentrated scale but have proven to be extremely costly and disruptive to multiple sectors in various geographies—a problem that appears to be growing more prevalent.  

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Capital Network Solutions Limited and Flow Communications (UK) Ltd

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that Barry-based Capital Network Solutions (CNS) has been acquired by Hemel Hempstead-based Flow Communications (Flow), as part of its new buy and build strategy.

Established in 1996, CNS is a cyber security and infrastructure consultancy, ensuring data security and best practice for its clients. It is a highly accredited CREST Penetration Testing company and one of the largest IASME Cyber Essentials Certification Bodies within the UK having issued more than 3,000 certificates.

Flow is a network and security solutions provider, addressing the IT demands of the UK’s leading corporations. The acquisition of CNS complements Flow's current service offerings and aligns to the Flow vision.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Following the acquisition, CNS will continue to trade under its name and see an enlarged group employing 50.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Westgate IT Limited and Acora Ltd

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Bath-based managed service IT provider, Westgate IT, and Sussex-based Acora.

Established in 1997, Westgate IT is a provider of IT support, subscription and cloud-based services, and bespoke security solutions.

Acora is an award-winning managed IT services company based in London, Sussex and the Midlands. Services range from the design and build of complex solutions to the day-to-day management of services. Acora is backed by Palatine Private Equity, an independent private equity firm headquartered in Manchester.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

This highly strategic acquisition is of significant importance to Acora, allowing it to further expand into the South West with greater access to local talent, an additional service centre and more than 100 clients.

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Understanding Working Capital in the M&A Process

What is Working Capital?                                                                                 

In the process of selling your business, it is important to understand working capital as you accept an LOI (Letter of Intent) and move into the due diligence stage. Buyers require the business that they are purchasing to leave a predetermined amount of working capital to continue running the business and cover the short-term obligations.

In simple terms, working capital is calculated by subtracting your company's current assets (excluding cash) from your current liabilities (excluding debt). However, the calculation can become more complex in practice. Typically, in the LOI, the buyer will outline how the working capital “peg” will be calculated. The “peg” is a benchmark amount of working capital that is agreed upon toward the end of due diligence by the buyer and seller. The buyer typically considers current assets to include items such as accounts receivable, inventory, and prepaid expenses as necessary to maintain the ongoing operations. Items such as lines of credit, short-term debt, and taxes are not included in this calculation.

How Does Working Capital Influence the M&A Process?

When buyers are reviewing your company for potential acquisition, they want to ensure liquidity once they take over. The minimum level of working capital is considered to be part of the valuation and accounted for in the price included in the LOI. It is important to note that most M&A transactions are set on a cash-free and debt-free basis, meaning the seller maintains cash in the business but is responsible for paying off bank debts.

The working capital analysis is typically part of the buyer’s diligence process, which will involve the analysis of balances at the account level. Some items under the accrued expense or accounts payable may not be operational in nature and therefore are excluded from the calculation. However, the buyer may determine that an item was improperly omitted from the balance sheet and they may adjust the balances. The primary reason for this analysis is to accurately determine what a true normalized level of working capital should be given the company's historical financials.

How Are Working Capital Targets Determined?

In most cases, the buyer will use a historical average, which is typically 12 months to calculate the appropriate target at closing. The reason is that the buyer will be basing their valuation on the revenue, EBITDA, and working capital needed to generate this income will need to be provided. As a seller, it is important to remember that your EBITDA will typically reflect account receivables as revenue and account payables as an expense. The 12-month period for working capital is used to average out potential fluctuations as this correlates to valuations, which are typically based on a multiple of the trailing 12-month EBITDA. Seasonality should also be considered in the calculation. For example, working capital could be much higher or lower depending on if the deal were completed during the peak season. In this case, the buyer would be required to pay more as the working capital would likely be much higher or lower than average. On the other hand, if the transaction were completed during the off-season, working capital would be reduced.

 

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Adjustments During Diligence

As the seller, prior to the closing, you will deliver an estimate of working capital that you believe the business will have at closing. If this estimate exceeds the working capital target, you will receive an amount equal to the excess as an increase in the purchase price. However, if the estimate were less than the working capital target, the buyer would reduce the purchase price. After the closing, the buyer will perform their own calculation to determine the amount of working capital the acquired business had at closing. The purchase price would be further adjusted if the buyer’s calculation differs from the amount of the seller’s estimate. This process is typically referred to as a “true-up.”

Negotiating the Working Capital

During the true-up process, there is sometimes a dispute between the buyer and seller regarding the working capital calculation. From the seller’s point of view, they will argue that working capital should be calculated consistently with the methodology that was used to calculate the working capital target amount. This means that the seller is arguing that the purpose of the working capital adjustment is to compensate for deviations from the target working capital amount. For such changes to be calculated fairly, the closing amount of working capital must be calculated using the same methodology that was used in calculating the working capital target amount.

On the other hand, the buyer will sometimes argue that the purpose of the adjustment is to ensure that the business is delivered at closing with adequate working capital and that it should be made by calculating working capital in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Both the buyer and seller viewpoints sometimes make their way into the purchase agreement regarding how working capital is to be calculated.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated a Transaction Between Aschinger Electric Company, Inc. and Guarantee Electric

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Aschinger Electric Company, Inc. and Guarantee Electric.

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Medtech M&A On Track For Strong Second Half Of 2021

In the first half of 2021, medtech M&A deals already surpassed the total number of deals from last year, and this bustle in activity is forecast to continue through the second half of the year, as medtech companies have stockpiled billions of dollars in cash. The dollar value of deals in 2021 is also expected to far outpace that of 2020. Eleven megadeals were announced in H1, with a total deal value of around $128 billion.

Medtech M&A activity kicked off 2021 right out of the gate, with at least 10 deals announced in January alone. Companies emerged from 2020 flush with cash reserves and were ready to spend on dealmaking. The medtech sector recorded a total of 33 deals in the first half of 2021. That's up from 25 total in all of 2020. In fact, the first quarter of 2021 was the busiest for medtech M&A since 2016. While the initial rapid momentum may have slowed, the second half of 2021 should be abundant with new deals.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Just For You Personal Support Services and AccordCare

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Just For You Personal Support Services (“JFYPSS”) and AccordCare, Inc. (“AccordCare”).

JFYPSS is a College Park, Georgia-based home care company that provides personal care, skilled nursing, respite care, and companionship services. Established in 1996 with the goal to provide personal care services allowing disabled and elderly persons the opportunity to achieve and maintain optimal levels of independence in the community. JFYPSS is AccordCare’s fifth transaction in 18 months.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

AccordCare is a premier in-home personal care company providing services to people of all ages and levels of need. More than just personal care, it is specialized care custom-designed to meet a patient’s specific needs. They provide full-service private duty home care that is customized to patient’s needs, allowing them to stay in their home where they can feel the most comfortable. The company is based in Marietta, Georgia, and serves more than 1,300 clients daily.

Brandon Ballew, CEO of AccordCare, said in a press release, “Just for You has a great reputation and a commitment to providing excellent care to clients and driving an employee-first culture; it made them a natural fit for AccordCare.”

Senior Transaction Associate Sunny Yang Garten at Benchmark International added, “This acquisition represents a tremendous opportunity for both businesses and their teams. It was a pleasure to represent JFYPSS in this transaction. On behalf of Benchmark International, we wish both companies continued success.”

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between ARC Medical, Inc. and Typenex Medical

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between ARC Medical, Inc. based out of Tucker, GA and Typenex Medical out of Chicago, IL.

ARC Medical offers circuit filters for the anesthesia market and humidification for the respiratory, long-term acute care, and home care markets in the United States. Best known for its circuitGuard, ThermoFlo, and FilterFlo products, ARC Medical was founded in 1990 by Harold Norris.

Regarding the transaction, Mr. Norris stated, “The ARC Medical team is very excited about the future of circuitGuard, ThermoFlo, and FilterFlo. The Typenex partnership presents great opportunities for both companies, as well as the customers we serve.”

Acquirer Typenex Medical is a national provider of medical solutions to the healthcare industry. The company was founded in 2004 and has grown from a single product (Original Typenex Blood Band) company into a diversified firm offering an array of solutions across the healthcare industry.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

The acquisition is backed by a private investment company, Chicago Venture Partners. Since 1998, the group and its affiliated entities have invested in over 200 portfolio companies.

Benchmark International's Senior Associate Jason Donker commented, “The combination of ARC’s unique product suite and Typenex’s vast reach and marketing capabilities will be truly powerful, and will hugely benefit both parties. It is always exciting to make such a highly synergistic marriage, and we are looking very forward to watching the combination grow moving forward.”

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP and Blixt Group

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Essex-based law firm, Fisher Jones Greenwood (FJG), and private equity firm, Blixt Group.

FJG is a multi-award-winning firm of solicitors covering a broad spectrum of fields such as residential conveyancing, family law, probate, and immigration and asylum, as well as some niche specialisms. The company operates from four offices across Essex and one in London, employs 158 staff and has a £7.3m turnover.

Do you have an exit or growth strategy in place?

Blixt is a private investment firm partnering with lower mid-market companies across Europe. Headquartered in London, the company targets businesses valued between €20m and €200m and has access to over €250m of committed institutional investor funding. Blixt is aiming to invest nationally in the legal sector with the goal of creating a national firm with a turnover of at least £100m in four to five years, and FJG is a springboard for these acquisitions.

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Benchmark International's Tampa Office Featured in "Workplaces Reimagined"

Benchmark International’s new Tampa headquarters has been spotlighted by The Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2021 feature called Workplaces Reimagined.

The series showcases how business offices in the Tampa Bay region have changed since the pandemic, focusing on new, innovative spaces in Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota counties.

Workplaces Reimagined features one office per month in the weekly edition, and our fantastic new Tampa location in the MetWest building was covered by the publication on July 30, 2021. Our 15,000+ square-foot office was recognized for its welcoming atmosphere, sweeping views, unique décor, and ample amenities that enhance the workspace for our team.

It is just another example of how Benchmark International goes above and beyond to make sure our teams have everything they need to continue to be leaders and trailblazers in the community, and in our industry.

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10 Mistakes To Avoid When Selling Your Company

Selling a business comes with its share of challenges and concerns. Many business owners do not realize just how much time and energy is required to facilitate the sale of a company and are blindsided when they embark on the M&A process. The good news is that many of the pitfalls around selling can be avoided by learning from others' mistakes, like the 10 outlined below.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Millwork 360 LLC and The Marwin Company

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Millwork 360, LLC (“Millwork 360”) and The Marwin Company, a portfolio company of Validor Capital, a private investment firm.

Millwork 360, based in Tampa, FL, is a manufacturer of building products, including doors and custom moldings for residential and commercial projects. The company is proudly associated with Mastergrain Fiberglass Door Systems and exclusively distributes for the state of Florida.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

For 70 years, Marwin has been a leading supplier of specialty access products for the single and multi-family new construction markets. Marwin’s line of attic stairways and specialty door products are offered exclusively through professional building products, and dealers provide exceptional value supported with superior customer service.

Senior Transaction Associate Sunny Yang Garten at Benchmark International added, “It was a pleasure to represent Millwork 360 in this transaction. There was a great strategic fit between Millwork 360 and The Marwin Company. Jamie and her team were extremely responsive during this process. This acquisition represented a tremendous opportunity for both businesses and their teams. On behalf of Benchmark International, we wish both companies continued success.”

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Benchmark International Facilitated the Transaction of Denmon Engineering Company, Inc to Volkert

Posted on August 1, 2021 By in Deal completions

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the sale of Denmon Engineering Company, Inc (Denmon) to Volkert. Denmon, located in Monroe, Louisiana, is a professional civil engineering and surveying firm specializing in public works. The firm, established in 1983, has grown to serve clients within Louisiana including private entities, levee districts, state and local governments, and engineering firms.

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