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2021 Was a Record Year For M&A - And 2022 Could be, Too

After the trials and tribulations of 2020, no one really knew what to expect going into 2021. Yet, for the world of M&A, it couldn’t have been a more pleasant surprise.

Last year has most certainly been a record year for M&A deals, making a huge comeback from 2020. In 2021, the number of announced deals exceeded 62,000 globally. That’s up an unprecedented 24% from 2020. Deal values reached an all-time high of $5.1 trillion.

Almost all sectors are showing signs of recovery from 2020. Values are up and multiples are rising, with strategic M&A multiples at an all-time high (a median multiple of 16x EV/EBITDA).

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction of a Collection of Companies that Cater to the Automotive Space

Benchmark International successfully facilitated the transaction of a collection of companies, each offering products or services that cater to the automotive space. The group of companies provides auto collision repair, scrap metal recycling and shredding, auto impound, auto sales and rental, and towing services to the Houston market.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

The companies include Sterling Interest Investment DBA Elite Collision Center, McKaskle Industrial Complex DBA Fort Bend Recycling, Stor’N Texas DBA H-Town Scrap Metal Recycling Metro, Area 5 Vehicle Storage, Athena Investments DBA Area 5 Auto Sales, Athena Auto Leasing, Lockwood Vehicle Storage, and related entities.

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Key Insights in Selling an Architecture Business

Mergers and acquisitions in each industry have their own oddities, and architecture is no different from any other in that regard. However, the following similarities always seem to rise to the top when selling a firm.

Lead Architects are the Key to the Business’ Value.

At the end of the day, like all professional services businesses, the most valuable asset walks out the door every day – and – there is nothing you can do to force them to come back the next day. Acquirers are very aware of this, and when buying architecture firms, they will take extreme measures to ensure that they will return not only the day after the deal closes but for years to come. As a result, almost every deal in this space involves broadening corporate ownership to include, typically, the most senior/valuable 10% of the firm, covering the rainmakers, the client managers, the project managers, and the most brilliant experienced architects. If the owner falls into one or more of these categories, they should expect to retain some equity and sign a multi-year employment agreement.

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Surge in Private Equity Deal Activity 2021

Private equity transactions on a global scale returned to form in 2021 following the challenges posed by the pandemic, with private equity firms deploying record amounts of dry powder held as they looked to invest cash accumulated during the pandemic.

According to Mergermarket, a record was set for the percentage of M&A deals that involved private equity, with buyouts comprising 27% of global activity in 2021. This totalled 8,548 deals worth $2.1tn, nearly doubling the previous record set in 2007. Deal volume was also staggering, showing a 60% increase year-on-year.

Looking to 2022, it appears that global private equity deals might continue in the same vein, as private equity houses still have approximately $2.3tn of cash reserves. This, coupled with increasingly positive economic conditions such as a brightening global economic outlook, seller-favourable valuations, and low interest rates, are instilling confidence in the market.

Feel like it's a good time to sell?

At Benchmark International, the Transactions Teams stay abreast of industry trends to ensure the best and most suitable deals are completed for clients. As a result, throughout 2021, Benchmark International in the UK and Ireland has completed 18 transactions involving a private equity buyer. These include:

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How Potential Tax Changes Could Impact M&A

There are several changes to tax policy on the table in the United States under the Biden administration. The administration has discussed tax increases on high-income earners at some point in the future, while the timing is yet to be determined. If you are a business owner considering the sale of your company in the next few years, you may want to speed up your timeline because waiting could mean you have to pay higher taxes if laws do change.

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Supply Chain Issues Are Fueling M&A Transactions

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normalcy in several aspects of the world as we knew it, and one of the things hit especially hard has been the global supply chain. These supply chain problems have impacted nearly every industry and business, both large and small. Because of so much continued uncertainty in supply chains—uncertainty that is expected to last for years—business owners and executive leaders are reassessing operations and seeking paths to gain more control.

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Benchmark International’s Gregory Jackson Named International CEO Of The Year (Corporate Finance)

Gregory Jackson, Benchmark International’s CEO, was named International CEO of the Year (Corporate Finance) by the Gamechangers™ 2022 Global Awards, adding to his growing and impressive list of accolades.

Gamechangers™ is a leading corporate news publication, serving the finance sector since 2003. They provide a global audience of more than 245,000 senior executive-level subscribers with valuable information.

The Gamechangers™ Global Awards are the largest program of their kind in the market, celebrating achievement, innovation, and brilliance in the industry. They have a legitimately independent nomination process, and the industry itself chooses the winners. They rely on reader insight and experience for the nominations and look for exemplary businesses that are the benchmark of achievement in their field on a global level. Firms of all sizes are recognized, and the awards represent an endorsement of outstanding work. In addition, the awards are the only industry honors awarded purely on the basis of voter participation.

Steven Keane, Executive Chairman of Benchmark International, said, “I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of this award. Greg inspires our team to raise their game every single day, and his dedication combined with their talent is why we earn such high esteem and respect from our industry peers.”

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Acquiring A New 401(k) Plan In An M&A Transaction

There are basically four possible outcomes for retirement plans in an M&A deal: 

  • The plans of both companies are merged.
  • The plan at the acquired company is terminated.
  • Both plans from both companies are maintained.
  • The plan from the acquired company is frozen.

So, what do you need to know if these circumstances apply to a deal that you are involved in?

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Why Home Healthcare and Hospice is Getting Investor Attention

Investors are currently seeking opportunities that will allow them to invest their funds in safe-havens.

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Building a Management Team

To have a successful business, you need to create a winning management team. There are several things to keep in mind when you are building that management team. It’s important to recognize the different backgrounds, personalities, and experiences of your employees in order to best direct their strengths in a way that will benefit your business.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Shift Traffic Events Limited and Chevron Traffic Management Limited

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Scunthorpe-headquartered Shift Traffic Events to Oxfordshire-based Chevron Traffic Management.

Shift Traffic Events specialises in traffic management within the events and utilities sectors, including high profile events such as the London Marathon. The company employs over 150 people and has depots in Scunthorpe and Essex.

Chevron Traffic Management provides physical and digital traffic controls for organisations working within utilities, rail, high-speed network, local authorities and events which need to disrupt normal traffic flow. It has 30 depots across the UK, including one in Scotland which operates as Class One Traffic Management. The company has been owned by Triton, an international investment firm, since 2018.

Chevron Traffic Management is part of the Chevron Group of companies, which includes Chevron Green Services, Chevron Green Consultancy, Class One Traffic Management and Highway Resource Solutions (HRS).

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

The acquisition is part of the company’s buy and build strategy and will help Chevron Traffic Management to expand their existing capabilities in traffic management within the events and utilities sectors, alongside other specialisms like digital services and arboriculture.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Healing Educational Alternatives for Deserving Students, LLC and Health Connect America, Inc.

Posted on January 11, 2022 By in Deal completions

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Healing Educational Alternatives for Deserving Students, LLC (“HEADS”) and Health Connect America, Inc. (“Health Connect America”).

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

HEADS, founded in February 2012, is a trauma-focused Medicaid therapeutic services provider to at-risk children and families. HEADS provides cognitive behavioral therapy to individuals and families, specialized therapeutic foster care, 24/7 crisis support, and congregate care.

Health Connect America is a multi-state behavioral health platform that treats a comprehensive mix of issues, including conduct disorder, substance abuse, autism disorders, and emotional disturbance. Health Connect America provides mental and behavioral health services to children, families, and adults across multiple states.

Palladium Equity Partners, LLC (“Palladium”) acquired Health Connect America in August 2021, which is Palladium’s seventh platform investment in the broader healthcare industry and the recent acquisitions bring the firm’s total investments in healthcare, including follow-on acquisitions, to 46 across its last four funds.

Senior Transaction Associate Sunny Yang Garten at Benchmark International added, “We are very excited about this transaction. We understood the client’s goal and presented multiple options for the client to consider. Health Connect America provides a large platform. This acquisition further extends its footprint into Florida. There is a great strategic fit between HEADS and Health Connect America. On behalf of Benchmark International, we wish both companies continued success.”

 

Schedule A Call

 

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

Europe: Michael Lawrie at +44 (0) 161 359 4400 / Enquiries@BenchmarkIntl.com

Africa: Anthony McCardle at +27 21 300 2055 / McCardle@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 Classic Emporium, LLC And Champion Xpress Car Wash

Benchmark International’s client Classic Emporium, DBA Rain Tunnel Car Spa, a New Mexico-based company providing vehicle wash, detailing and quick lube services, has sold to Champion Xpress Car Wash, a family-owned and operated business with multiple locations across New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Iowa.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Perfusion.com, Inc. and Epic Healthcare Travel Staffing, Inc.

Perfusion.com (PDC) is the leading provider of staffing services to the U.S. perfusion industry. The company’s core perfusion staffing services include autotransfusion, blood management and biologics services, the sale of disposables, capital equipment leasing, training and education services and patient transportation. The company is headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida.

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Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Englander Enterprises Inc. And ESAM, Inc.

Englander Enterprises, Inc. (EEI), of Clearwater, Florida, provides mission-critical electronic and electromechanical solutions for aerospace, defense, and homeland security applications. Founded in 1993, EEI’s clients include an elite list of Tier-1 defense prime contractors and government customers, with solutions integrated into a broad array of the country’s highest-priority defense platforms and programs.

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