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Benchmark International's Client Diagnostics Research Group Was Acquired By Ima Group

On October 12, 2021, it was announced that Diagnostics Research Group (DXRG) was acquired by The IMA Group (IMA).

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Benchmark International is a Finalist in nine categories for the M&A Advisor Awards

Posted on October 27, 2021 By in Awards + M&A Awards + Recognition + #BenchmarkAwards

Benchmark International has been listed as a finalist in nine categories in the 20th Annual M&A Advisor Awards, presented by The M&A Advisor. The awards are known as the benchmark for dealmaking excellence, recognizing the leading M&A transactions, restructurings, deal financings, products/services, firms, and professionals. The winners will be announced at the Gala Ceremony live event held on November 17, 2021. 

The impressive categories in which Benchmark International is a finalist are listed below. 

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between H4 Aerospace (UK) Limited and Eirtech Aviation Services Ltd

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Hemel-Hempstead-based H4 Aerospace (UK) (H4A) and Shannon-based Eirtech Aviation Services (Eirtech).

H4A is a UK CAA DOA, enabling it to undertake the engineering design and certification of modifications to commercial aircrafts, which range from main cabin reconfigurations with new seats and monuments, to cockpit avionic system upgrades. With its head office and main design office based in Hemel Hempstead, the company is within easy reach of all the main airports in and around the M25 area.

Since 2009, Eirtech has been providing a range of cost-effective professional aviation services and bespoke solution packages to airlines and airline leasing companies such as tailor-made engineering services, advanced composite repair services, and asset management solutions, ensuring regulatory compliance. Headquartered in Shannon, Ireland, the company also has engineering facilities in Dublin, Belfast, Great Britain, and Singapore.

Do you have an exit or growth strategy in place?

The acquisition of H4A is in line with the continued global expansion plans of Eirtech and brings to the company both CAA P21 J approval and EASA P 21 J approval capability under one roof.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Nortech Solutions Group Ltd and Nijhuis Saur Industries B.V.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Nortech Solutions Group (Nortech) and Nijhuis Saur Industries (NSI).

Nortech is a multidiscipline engineering, design, and project management organisation, operating across multiple sectors including upstream and downstream oil & gas, petrochemical, chemical, energy, nuclear, water, and iron & steel.

NSI delivers solid and adaptive solutions for sustainable water use, energy, and resource recovery. With its headquarters in the Netherlands, NSI operates in 130 countries globally, employing over 350 specialists in Dubai, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Germany, Poland, Russia & CIS, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA.

The deal will enable NSI to expand its engineering capabilities in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, paving the way for further investment and growth.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Menno M. Holterman, President and CEO of NSI, commented: "Nortech adds a wealth of engineering and industry knowledge to the NSI group, which will support the group’s mission to ‘Stand For Water’. Nortech also has a specialist staffing recruitment division, which will help NSI to scale up its global workforce quickly to execute major projects like some of the recently won mega projects in the biofuel and refinery upgrading market in Europe and the Middle East.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Sixth Sense Trading Ltd and MCG Group Holdings Ltd

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the transaction between East Kilbride-based Sixth Sense and Watford-based MCG.

Established in 2009, Sixth Sense is a national training provider of IT and digital apprenticeships, providing SVQ accredited courses to 140 learners through a direct contract with Skills Development Scotland.

MCG is a recruitment, consultancy and project-based solutions company within aerospace & aviation, construction, education, healthcare, and technology. The company works with, supplies and employs people both in the UK and internationally.

The acquisition is the third by MCG in 12 months, as part of a five-year growth strategy.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Grant Henderson, COO of MCG, said: “The acquisition of Sixth Sense fulfils both a business and personal ambition in increasing our training capability for our internal staff, as well as externally to our valued customers.”

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Warnock Tanner & Associates and Computech

The seller, Warnock Tanner & Associates, has been operating a successful IT services/management company for over 25 years.  WTA Consulting’s customers range in size from small local businesses to Fortune 500 businesses.  WTA specialized in Complete Consulting, Development & Implementation Services for Oracle Primavera.

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Benchmark International Awarded Corporate Strategy Of The Year For Fingerprint Process

Benchmark International was awarded Corporate Strategy of the Year in the M&A Advisor’s M&A Awards for our proprietary Fingerprint process.

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The Impact of U.S. Infrastructure Investment on M&A

The U.S. Senate recently passed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, titled the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), to improve the country’s roads, bridges, and utilities. The bill does face an uncertain future in the House of Representatives, where its support is more limited. Still, the Democratic Party could use the reconciliation process to get the bill passed into law. 

The bill includes:

  • $73 billion for electric grid and power infrastructure
  • $66 billion for passenger and freight rail
  • $65 billion for broadband investments
  • $55 billion for water systems and infrastructure
  • $50 billion for Western water storage 
  • $39 billion for public transit 
  • $25 billion for airports
  • $21 billion for environmental remediation projects 
  • $17 billion for ports and waterways
  • $15 billion for electric vehicles
  • $11 billion for road safety

So, what might this all mean for M&A? 

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction of PolicyPak Software, Inc. and Netwrix

Posted on October 15, 2021 By in Deal completions

PolicyPak Software is a desktop management software solution for IT administrators. PolicyPak enables companies to manage, secure, automate, and report upon both Windows applications and the Windows operating system. PolicyPak works with on-premises and remote work Windows environments. The software plugs in alongside Windows and is managed by various PolicyPak suite components.

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Benchmark International’s Jack Redwood Shortlisted for Young Dealmaker of the Year

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that Associate Director, Jack Redwood, has been shortlisted by the Thames Valley Deal Awards in the category of Young Dealmaker of the Year.

The leading event in the region’s corporate finance calendar, the awards bring together corporate finance advisers, lawyers, bankers, private equity investors, accountants, and funding specialists.

The Young Dealmaker of the Year award will be presented to the person who has had the most significant impact on completion of deals within the region and, over the qualifying period, Jack led and completed a list of impressive list of deals. Deals included the sale of Suttons Seeds to BVG Group-owned Thompson & Morgan, the transaction between RivaNet to NPIF-backed Intec Business Solutions, and the sale of Adelante Software to Aquiline Capital Partners-backed ClearCourse Partnership.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Open Learning Holdings (PTY) LTD and Kagiso Capital (PTY) LTD

Benchmark International is pleased to have advised Open Learning Holdings on the sale of their wholly-owned subsidiary, the Open Learning Group (Pty) Ltd, to Kagiso Capital (Pty) Ltd.

Open Learning Group (Pty) Ltd (OLG) is a private Higher Education institution specialising in distance learning educational programmes. Considered as the most affordable, effective , and flexible vehicle to achieve further education, distance learning opportunities are in high demand by both students and corporates wishing to upskill their staff. Higher Education and Training (HET) programmes offered by OLG range from NQF Level 2 to NQF Level 7, providing an extensive pipeline of programmes for students committed to bettering themselves and their career opportunities.

OLG and their subsidiary Business School of Excellence (Pty) Ltd also offer Technical Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) courses through learnerships, providing knowledge and skills for employment in a specific sector. These, together with Further Education and Training (FET) short learning certificate programmes, are offered in a blended approach, including distance learning, online learning, and contact sessions.

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

Lebogang Mosiane, the Chairman of OLG, commented on the transaction, saying, “Kagiso Trust since 1985 has invested in education, primarily being driven by its mission to eradicate poverty. Acquiring Open learning group simply provides a higher education articulation path curated for the needs of those who need the necessary skills to be active in the economy ”, while Jan Kitshoff added: “The acquisition of OLG by Kagiso Capital will provide them with a solid platform to expand their value offering within the broader education landscape.”

Kagiso Capital (Pty) Ltd is an investment holding company wholly owned by Kagiso Trust. The primary purpose of Kagiso Capital is to ensure the longevity of the Kagiso Trust and to diversify the investment asset base of the Trust beyond its current investments in FirstRand Limited, MMH Limited, Discovery Limited and Kagiso Tiso Holdings (Pty) Ltd. Kagiso Capital drives a diversification strategy through meaningful investment in innovative and growing businesses that are committed to economic transformation.

Lebogang Mosiane, speaking on behalf of Kagiso Capital, said, “We would like Open learning group to be the preeminent education platform, where future industries will come recruit talent that will add value to their businesses. We hope this will narrow inequality and transform South African industries to be competitive globally.”

Andre Bresler, representing Benchmark International’s South African office, added, “It was a genuine privilege to be selected to advise the shareholders of Open Learning Holdings (which includes institutional shareholder Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (SA) Ltd) on this transaction, the professionalism and attention to detail was outstanding throughout the process. We are delighted with the outcome for all parties and wish continued success as they embark on this exciting new chapter.”

 

Schedule A Call

 

Africa: Anthony McCardle at +27 21 300 2055 / McCardle@BenchmarkIntl.com

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

Europe: Michael Lawrie at +44 (0) 161 359 4400 / Lawrie@BenchmarkIntl.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 $7B across various industries worldwide. With decades of global M&A experience, Benchmark International’s deal teams, working from 14 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.benchmarkintl.com
Blog: http://blog.benchmarkcorporate.com

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between KeCo Limited and Sabert Corporation Europe

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the transaction between Cambridgeshire-based KeCo and Brussels-based Sabert Europe.

KeCo is a fast-growing UK manufacturer and provider of sustainable foodservice packaging made from paperboard and bagasse. The company has its own trademarked StrEAT® range, as well as owning Karrott, a unique AR app offering customers the opportunity to integrate digital and active marketing within packaging.

Do you have an exit or growth strategy in place?

A subsidiary of US-based Sabert Corporation, Sabert Europe offers high-quality and sustainable solutions for delivery, takeaway and catering. The acquisition enables Sabert to enter the UK market and increase renewable material manufacturing.

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The Latest Sales Trends Heading Into 2022

Every business owner should be keeping up with the top sales trends being used to boost companies’ bottom lines in today’s tech-driven economy. So what does the future hold? Use these sales trends insights to make sure you’re doing every last thing you can to take your business to the next level.

Social Selling
Over the last decade, selling has evolved immensely. More than 90% of consumers do online research before buying something these days. And that’s why social selling is becoming so integral to the sales process. Social media connects you with consumers already interested in what you do, so you already have the upper hand by simply having them as an audience. You are also able to build better relationships with them, which will translate to higher customer retention rates.

And don’t forget about the power of referrals. 70% of companies have reported that referrals convert faster than any other type of lead. If your consumers are happy with what you are doing, they will be more likely to recommend you to their friends and family—something that social media makes it easy to do in just a click or two.

Social selling also comes with a few other added benefits. It increases your brand visibility by actively engaging with people online, and it also keeps your brand top of mind. This means you get higher-quality leads. And with high-quality leads, you can expect to see higher sales numbers.

Value-Based Selling
Customers are savvier than ever. They can see through gimmicks. Simply shoving deals in their faces doesn’t work so well anymore, especially in the B2B sector. This is where value-based selling comes in.

Data shows that 87% of high-growth companies use the value-based approach, and with good reason. By focusing more effort on showing customers the direct benefits or personal value they can enjoy from using their products or services, you’re more likely to close more deals.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI adoption for sales teams is projected to be at 139% for the next three years. This is because business leaders are realizing how it can make a massive impact on sales numbers by helping with processes and tasks. Did you know that AI is capable of performing 40% of sales tasks?

AI can help you gather valuable data on customers that you can use to craft marketing strategies to increase your sales. It can also provide value by offering suggestions to customers based on their recent transactions. But that’s not all. AI can also predict trends in your sector to help you stay ahead of the game, boost productivity by automating menial tasks, identify leads with a higher chance of conversion, and improve customer satisfaction.


Ready to explore your exit and growth options?
Personalized Customer Experience
When you give your customers a more personalized experience, they are more likely to do business with you. Research shows that nearly half of all buyers will make an impulse purchase after getting a personalized shopping experience. Because most customers appreciate a level of personalization, they are willing to give you their personal information or create online profiles. And this is really half the battle when it comes to building a solid customer base. Additionally, when customers feel more engaged on your website or app, they are more likely to do business with you. As long as you can offer them convenience, speed, helpfulness, and friendly service, getting personal can take you a long way.

Outsource Sales
80% of logistics leaders have reported that the matter of outsourcing is no longer a yes or no question—it’s just a question of how much needs to be outsourced. The global outsourcing market is projected to grow to $82.2 billion by 2022.

By outsourcing, you will have a dedicated sales team that is laser-focused on identifying leads, reaches different segments through different platforms, and converts potential customers. Meanwhile, your company saves money and gets the sales expertise needed for the job while you focus more on your business. Outsourcing can also help small businesses with scalability issues. If your company experiences rapid growth, an outsourced sales team is ready to handle it.

Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM)
91% of companies in North America have a functional CRM solution integrated into their system. And guess what else? 65% of sales reps using mobile CRM have a higher chance of meeting their quotas. CRM makes it easy for reps to see all the data they need in a centralized system. Because it also stores customer data, CRM can suggest products depending on their past purchases. It can also improve your relationships with your customers by giving you a complete understanding of their needs and preferences.

Omnichannel Sales
Selling today is all about unifying your sales channels and creating a single commerce experience. This gives customers the freedom to choose how they want to buy your product while expecting the same level of service no matter which they choose. 73% of shoppers look at different channels when searching for a product, such as websites, social media, and physical stores. By being visible across channels, your company has a better chance of being chosen by a customer. Omnichannel sales also make the buying experience more convenient. In fact, businesses using omnichannel sales retain 89% of their customers. Yet, 55% of companies do not have an omnichannel strategy in place. It’s simple. Get ahead of the competition by nailing down your omnichannel sales structure.

Target Millennials
Millennials live through technology. In the U.S. alone, 82.2 million Millennials use the Internet, spending about $600 billion every year. They are the most likely customer segment to try new technological features that you offer. And 68% of Millennials prefer a more integrated shopping experience. This is why having that omnichannel sales strategy is so important. Offer them a seamless shopping experience that focuses on technology.

Don’t Forget Generation Z
Generation Z now makes up 32% of the global population, and they have a collective $45 billion in spending power. They represent a huge chunk of the consumer population, and they are spending more and more. Gen Z-ers are digitally entrenched, with an affinity for content from sites like YouTube and Instagram. You should use these preferences to your advantage. And the best part of securing their brand loyalty is that they are poised to be customers for the coming decades because they have just recently come of age. That’s a massive sales opportunity you don’t want to overlook.

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Benchmark International Awarded Leading Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor Of The Year

Benchmark International was named Leading Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor of the Year by Acquisition International’s ACQ Awards.

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The Myth Behind Multiples: How Buyers Really Value a Business

A topic common to the mergers and acquisitions market is the measure known as the business valuation multiple. This method determines a company’s value by its potential to earn in the future. It calculates a business’s highest value by assigning a multiplier figure to its current revenue. Multipliers differ based on the industry, economic climate, and other factors. There are a few ways in which multiples can be applied. Common multiple methods include:

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Systems Assurance Limited and CloudCoCo PLC

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Sheffield-based Systems Assurance by Warrington-based CloudCoCo.

Systems Assurance is a Microsoft Gold B2B reseller of IT hardware, software, and solutions, working with SME and public sector clients through its portfolio of cloud subscriptions and migration services. In the year ending 31 December 2020 the company generated revenue of £6.09m and an adjusted EBITDA of £209k.

CloudCoco is an AIM-listed provider of IT and communications services to businesses and public sector organisations. The acquisition of Systems Assurance marks part of CloudCoco’s buy and build strategy.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Chris Wheater, director at Systems Assurance, said this about working with Benchmark International: “There are many companies out there offering to find a buyer and help sell your company. So it's a big step to finally pick one, sign up and pay your money. I’m happy to report that Benchmark provided a great service and did what they said they would. We recently completed our sale and I would have no hesitation in recommending them. James Robinson and Roger Forshaw were supportive every step of the way and their experience and calm heads are just what is needed especially in the latter stages. A great service all round.”

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What Buyers Are Saying About Benchmark International

We love to hear positive feedback from our clients, and we often share past client experiences with other parties. We showcase how Benchmark went above and beyond for sellers to get a deal across the line, or how value was added to a specific transaction. However, if you are considering hiring an M&A firm to represent you in a sale, isn’t it just as important to hear how buyers perceive the firm?

Benchmark International prides itself on a strong reputation within the lower middle market. Our company’s reputation spans vendors, clients, prospective clients, and buyers. Our team recently attended a conference where we had the opportunity to mingle with some of the most active investors within the lower middle market. The feedback we received from the buyers was highly encouraging and continues to reinforce our position as the best M&A sell-side representative in the industry. 

 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

 

So, what are buyers saying about Benchmark International?

  • Benchmark International has the best deal flow within the market. This means that buyers recognize the quality opportunities that our firm represents. They also recognize us for having the most sectors and diversified listings in the space. When a buyer is looking for a unique opportunity or a quality business, they know to call Benchmark International.
  • The Benchmark International team does a great job of following up. Our deal team always strives to close the loop on the buyer’s level of interest, gather market feedback, or push the buyer forward with the process. There is no other firm in the industry that provides clients with the deal expertise and team size that Benchmark International offers. This allows our team to pick up the phone and discuss your deal with a potential buyer. Buyers have often shared that, in other cases, once they receive a Confidential Information Memorandum, they rarely hear back from the sell-side representative. But our team chases buyers during every part of the process, including trying to get a decision on a buyer’s level of interest on a Teaser, trying to gather a buyer profile and Non-Disclosure Agreement, gathering feedback from the Confidential Information Memorandum, feedback after conference calls and meetings, and so on.
  • The quality of the information in your Confidential Information Memorandum exceeds other firms. When our clients go through our Benchmark 360 process, our team puts on their buyer hats and asks the tough questions. We want to ensure that the business for sale is presented in the best light, that our team fully understands the offering, and that the seller has the opportunity to think through how their company is positioned for market. Putting on our buyer hats allows us to anticipate the questions and information a buyer will find important for their decision-making process.
  • The Benchmark International team is always professional. We understand that emotions can sometimes get the best of people. It does not matter which side of the table you are on, when you want a deal to go forward and the deal has hit a hurdle, we know it can be frustrating. The good news is that our deal team has seen a lot of hurdles and usually has the tools and options to overcome any issues if all parties want to work through them. One thing the Benchmark International team prides itself on is always being professional, even during hard conversations. Oftentimes, we all want the same outcome—a successful deal completion—and Benchmark International needs to take the emotions out of the conversation and ensure that everyone keeps their eye on the ball in order to move the deal forward.

The lower middle market is a tough market. Our deal experts not only have the experience to hold the seller’s hand throughout the process, but also stand up to the largest buyers within the market. Our reputation provides our clients the opportunity to have their Teaser reviewed by buyers that many cannot get in front of, let alone have long-term relationships with that allows our phone calls to be answered. This is critically important because having an M&A firm with a strong buyer reputation will help a seller maximize results once they go to market.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between North Country Family Practice and an Undisclosed Buyer

Benchmark International facilitated the Transaction between North Country Family Practice, P.A., located in Southlake, a suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas market, and an undisclosed buyer.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Endevis and Job.com

Endevis operates three divisions, including professional contract staffing, direct professional placement, and recruitment process outsourcing across the United States. The leadership team alone now has over 150 years of combined experience in the recruiting business. Endevis’ industry reputation, experienced leadership, and passion for helping clients made them a prime target for acquirers.

Job.com is becoming an industry force in the staffing space.  They are reinventing the way employers attract, hire, and retain the right teams. Job.com uses advanced data science to put people back in control of their own success and unifying the staffing supply chain so companies can reduce the time and cost to hire the appropriate candidates and uphold great retain rates.  By joining Job.com, endevis will grow rapidly, reaching more clients and candidates and continuing to revolutionize the recruitment industry. 

Transaction Director Matthew Kekelis commented regarding the deal completion, “I truly believe that there was no better match for endevis than Job.com.  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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