Benchmark International is a worldwide company, with offices in the UK, South Africa, Europe and the USA. A global company requires a large number of employees – a figure that is currently growing for Benchmark International.

Sourcing the right candidate for the role is probably one of the most difficult things to do, particularly now as a third of the global workforce are millennials – a generation that receives a lot of negative press and by all accounts is not a group of employees you would want in the workplace.

Words that are synonymous with the group are entitled, unfocused, narcissistic, lazy, selfish – among a whole host of other words with negative connotations.

But what has cultivated such an entitled (enter other negative words here) generation? Or what has caused such a backlash against them?

In a popular viral video, motivational speaker and marketing consultant Simon Sinek gives four reasons as to why this has happened and ties it in to why it is now causing problems in the workplace. He attributes it to PARENTING.

Sinek claims that millennials have been subject to failed parenting strategies, derived from being mollycoddled in such scenarios where children have received participation medals when they’ve placed last, or received top grades in school for work because of the persistence of a parent. This then causes a problem in the workplace as parents are not there to secure a promotion for their child.

TECHNOLOGY

Technology is a problem for millennials according to Sinek because of engagement in social media. He states that millennials are constantly engaged with social media because it is an addiction – when a person receives a ‘like’ for a status, picture etc., or receives a message, dopamine is released from the hypothalamus in the brain, the same chemical that is released when someone smokes, drinks, or gambles. Sinek says that technology is being used to deal with stress, much like an alcoholic would depend on alcohol, and has prevented millennials from developing meaningful relationships, as they will turn to technology as opposed to a friend.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the sale of Sonne Tribble. LLC dba Chris’s Custom Cabinets. Chris’s Custom Cabinets is a well-established manufacturer of high-end, custom cabinets for luxury home builders, remodelers, and individual homeowners.

The acquirer is a high net worth individual who was looking to acquire and run a single business in the Mid-South region. This individual’s experience in the construction industry and personal hobbies made this venture a good fit. The buyer plans to continue the legacy of Chris’s Custom Cabinets and make the business grow.

The Benchmark International team put in the man power to search various local markets to find the perfect buyer for this organization. In addition, the team worked alongside all involved parties to see the deal through to completion. Benchmark International brought its expertise to the table to bring the deal through to the closing. The deal was accomplished by utilizing the SBA program, which provided the prior owner a liquidity event and exit strategy.

You’ve probably noticed by now that Benchmark International is growing. Geographic expansion is the most obvious outward sign of our growth. We didn’t reinvent the wheel of corporate strategy. Given the current economic climate, many other organizations are expanding geographically as well. They’re looking to capture a greater share of their existing markets, penetrate new markets, and attract new talent amongst many other things. These decisions, in terms of geographic expansion, are usually more calculated than many of us would or will ever realize.

While organizations are expanding geographically, many of these organizations are relocating their headquarters altogether. There are a few easily discernible and comprehensible considerations for expansion/relocation with many of them relating to taxation. We’ve witnessed the exodus from the Northeast to the South, really since the commercialization of air conditioning, but now we are seeing movement from all directions into the South. Quite frankly, the tax landscape is much friendlier in the South.

 The multi-billion dollar leasing giant Hertz (NYSE: HTZ) announced in 2013 that they were relocating from Park Ridge, NJ to Estero, FL. They distinctly noted that the cost of doing business in New Jersey had become too much in comparison to other states such as Florida. In fact, the state of Florida and Lee County offered Hertz $84mm in tax credits. Florida’s corporate tax rate is noticeably more appealing at 5.5% compared to New Jersey’s 9%. Another selling point was Florida’s income tax rate of 0% in comparison to New Jersey’s bracketed income tax up to 8.97%. You might ask, why would income tax rates factor into Hertz or any company’s decision to expand or relocate? Well, Florida’s 0% income tax has been a noticeable driver behind its population growth. Consequently, the talent pool is expanding rapidly and the talent pool is undoubtedly a draw for a multi-billion dollar organization like Hertz. Between the glaring differences in tax rates, the county and state tax credits offered, and many other tax factors not discussed here (property tax for instance), it was an easy decision for Hertz to relocate.

Another case of corporate relocation to the South is that of CKE Restaurants. You’re probably familiar with their Frisco Thickburger making fast-food restaurants: Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. They announced in 2016 that they were consolidating their St. Louis, MO and Carpinteria, CA corporate offices and moving them to Franklin, TN. Much like Hertz’s case, the tax implications were too great to ignore. California’s corporate tax rate is 8.84% in comparison to 6.5% for Tennessee. Tennessee’s income tax rate is 0% (with the exception of dividends) in comparison to California’s bracketed income tax up to a staggering 12.3%.

We could discuss at length several other advantages, especially relating to taxation, of expanding or relocating to the South, but these are just some of the most transparent ones. Barring a dramatic philosophical shift in tax philosophy in the South, it seems that we’ll continue to witness substantial business growth for big and small businesses alike.

Benchmark International has successfully represented Residential Air Conditioning Services LLC in their sale to Coastland Enterprises LLC DBA Temperature Pro.

Residential Air Conditioning Services, LLC provides AC service, repair, and AC installation, as well as heating repair in Houston, Texas. The company services and installs all brands of HVAC-R equipment for commercial and residential customers as well as for new construction.

The Benchmark International team worked hard to find a buyer that would be a good fit for Residential Air Conditioning Services, LLC. Ultimately, the team found a buyer that was looking to expand its market share in the Houston area, and they got the client the best value for his business. The acquirer, TemperaturePro®, is a growing professional air conditioning and heating service with many locations throughout the United States.

Lance Abney, owner of Residential Air Conditioning Services, LLC stated “Working with Benchmark International allowed me to achieve my exit goals within an appropriate timeline. The team at Benchmark International’s Austin office was able to reach out to a multitude of buyers to find a deal that fit my needs. I would recommend using Benchmark International to anyone looking to sell their business.”

Benchmark International’s Global CEO, Gregory Jackson, has been named the CEO of the Year by Corporate Insider for their 2018 M&A Awards. This marks the seventh award for Benchmark International this year and a second individual award for Mr. Jackson.

The M&A Advisor has named Benchmark International the winner of the North American Deal of the Year and the Financials Deal of the Year for their 10th Annual International M&A Awards. Here are some photos from the event:

FINANCIALS DEAL OF THE YEAR
Acquisition of Silexx Financial Systems by Chicago Board Options Exchange

The acquisition of Silexx Financial Systems by Chicago Board Options Exchange was chosen as the Financials Deal of the Year. Managing Director, Dara Shareef, steered this deal through to the end. He said what made this deal unique was the client’s acknowledgment that to get the best deal he possibly could, he knew he needed to use a mergers and acquisitions firm.

NORTH AMERICAN DEAL OF THE YEAR
Acquisition of Gasco Afilliates, LLC by Tech Air

The sale of Gasco Afilliates, LLC to Tech Air was chosen at the North American Deal of the Year. Managing Director, Tyrus O’Neill headed the team that closed this transaction. He said it took a lot of tenacity and determination to get the client the best possible value for the company. 

The Benchmark International Team at the M&A Advisor Awards 2018 in New York:

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of Lightning Package to Bunzl.
Watch the client testimonial video here: https://vimeo.com/277326226

It takes capital to start a business and it takes capital to grow a business. However, when you have exhausted your personal reserves, what are your options? There are a handful of ways additional capital can be gained to continue the growth of your business. Simply put, there are four categories that most types of capital fall into when you’re looking to grow your business: your own revenue, debt, public equity, and private equity options.

Your Own Revenue

Most start-ups begin from your own pocket. This might be a good way to get the ball rolling, and you can hit up friends and family for additional funds along the way as well. As long as your business grows at a steady pace, this might even be a reasonable ongoing source of capital as it encourages organic growth. This capital pool allows you to stay in control and if the business changes, you can make adjustments accordingly.

Using your own revenue to grow the business allows you to remain in control, but it may take longer to reach your growth objectives. Opportunities could potentially be lost because there is not enough available capital to take on new projects. Additionally, if you spend all your time and money concentrating on growth, you may never get to see the full value of your work because all your profits are going back into the business.

Debt

All businesses have some sort of debt whether from a bank loan, credit card loan, or mortgage for a business property. You just need to decide how you plan to use debt to help your business grow. Using debt allows you to grow your business without giving away any of your ownership in the business. Taking on debt for new equipment, for example, will increase your company productivity and allow you to pay down the loan quicker.

Running a business is a romantic fantasy built on expectations of immediate gratification. People who venture on their own to start a new business are excited by the prospect of creating their own schedules and doing what they love. The hard work necessary; however, to build a business up and keep it running are often underestimated. Many business owners reach a point of burnout and lose their original passion. This is something that is hard to envision from the start because of the initial excitement.

As a business grows, the responsibilities of the owner often shift from doing what he set out to do: his passion, to doing behind-the-office tasks such as HR tasks, managerial tasks, dealing with legal issues, operational issues, etc. The more the business grows, the more the owner gets enveloped in these tasks. It can be disheartening to get separated from one’s passions, but how can one be reunited with the tasks he knows and loves?

If you feel you aren’t as close to your passions as you were before, there are some strategies you can implement into your business and your life to help you regain control of those passions and utilize them again.

 Take Some Regular Time for You

It is important to stay connected with yourself to maintain balance and obtain satisfaction in what you do. So, make time to do things you enjoy. Start a new hobby; start exercising regularly; watch a new movie; read a book. You need time for you and you need time to unwind and relax, so you can start each day with a fresh outlook. We have all heard the expression “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” It’s true. If you are not giving time to yourself and being mindful of your individual needs, you won’t perform your best in your business. Relaxation breeds innovation. A maxed-out body and mind cannot perform well. You will get burned out and your passion will dwindle.

 Set Boundaries, and Stick to Them

Work is just that: work. So, set specific time frames for work. This is related to needing time for yourself, but this is also related to having a set routine. Work stress can spill over into your life at home if you don’t set boundaries. Things run smoother when you separate your work life and your personal life. Consider not taking any work-related phone calls after a specific time, and decide a maximum number of hours you will dedicate to the business each weekend.

Be diligent in doing this and make it a priority. Odds are you won’t be any more useful to the business by forcing yourself to stay late and go on little-to-no sleep day in and day out. That will make you burnout even faster.

Take Vacations

Aside from regular time to yourself in your daily and weekly routines and managing boundaries, you need to take real time away from your work occasionally. This is absolutely essential to your envisioned success. Stepping away can be tough if you are the only person running your business, but it needs to be done. Entrepreneurs often fall into long workdays and working too many days each week. So, you need to make a decision on how many weeks and weekends you will give yourself away from the business - and actually take them off. Staying constantly plugged in to your work will lead to dissatisfaction.

 Delegate

Focus on what’s important to you. If making sure your customers are happy with your services is most important or bringing a new innovative idea to the table is center stage, then focus on that. You can hire someone to do the daily tasks you don’t enjoy, so you can get back to the exciting parts of your business. If you can’t afford a full-time employee, then contracting, part-time work, or outsourcing are options you can consider.

 Stay Connected with Friends and Family, and Remember Why You Started

Friends and family may not always see your vision, but most of the time, when you are getting near the finish line and seeing real progress, they see it too. If you feel burnout creeping in on you, you might feel like moving further from those who are close to you. This is not the best idea. Everyone who has watched you build your business from the ground up knows how important it is to you, and they will want to see you succeed. Loved ones can remind us of our purpose and help drive us back into our passions and stay the course for the long run.

Additionally, remind yourself why you decided to start your own business. Were you excited about creating your own schedule and making your own decisions? What pushed you to make that move? Put those motivations to work. Rework your schedule and see if you can find one that works better for you. Do something fun for your employees. Change something in the office. Take charge and remember that you created this business, and you decide where it goes and how it runs. Remind yourself of all the incentives you pictured for yourself and picture the long-term success. Push through the hard times with these initial motivators in mind.

 Get a Mentor

Mentorship is a great tool to utilize when you feel overwhelmed in your business. Look for business leaders in your industry and seek guidance. Ask them how they got where they are. There are many ways you can seek a mentor: through email, social media, meeting for coffee, etc. Don’t let fear of rejection turn you away from this idea.

Many successful people are happy to share their “secrets,” or methods, for success because they want to see others be successful too. This will also give you an opportunity to discuss your struggles, both internal and external, with someone who has experienced the same or similar plateaus in their career. This could be the motivation you need to get yourself back on track.

 Seek Innovation

What’s new? What’s missing? How can you add to your business and your industry? Bringing in new and innovative concepts to your business will give you an edge, and will allow you the opportunity to put your initial skillset to work. You came into your business with fresh and new ideas, all revved up for the future. Bring that passion back. Start researching what’s missing from your service offerings or your business as a whole. See what industry leaders are doing to stay on top and implement those strategies into your company. If something is missing from your industry altogether, then bring it in and give your company an edge over your competitors.

 Consider a Merger or an Acquisition with a Larger Company

At some point, organic growth seems to be a game of implementing new ideas while managing a larger and larger staff. Delegating gets more difficult, and you fear the business may fall apart if you step away for a few days to focus on you. The reality is you will eventually burnout. It is inevitable if you fail to see it when it is happening. All the above steps are great resources and tools you can use to take your business to the next level while maintaining your passion.

However, once you find yourself stuck in an office all the time running backend operations, and you aren’t a part of the team that’s bringing in new ideas and implementing them, it’s probably time to consider using a strategic partner, a manager who can run the backend operations while you do what you love and bring in new methods to further your footprint in your market.

You can sell a portion of your business, build a partnership, and continue growing the business you have raised from infancy. This inorganic growth method can help you achieve what you have planned for your business faster than you can on your own, and it can bring you back to doing what you love and being the innovative leader you are.

If you have found yourself stuck in managerial roles and want to get back to the front side of the business that you know and love, using a sell-side mergers and acquisitions firm like Benchmark International to find a strategic partner may be a good option for you.

 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.

Retirement is a time of life where all the work people have completed comes to fruition. Most people live on pension plans that require careful attention to detail and proper budgeting to ensure they last throughout retirement. However, a small number of retirees have the means to retire and live in luxury. For these people, the world is their oyster, and they can go wherever their hearts desire. Here is a breakdown of ten of the world’s most lavish retirement destinations.

1) MONACO – France borders the Principality of Monaco on three sides, and the Mediterranean borders the small country on one side. The Principality of Monaco has an area of approximately 2.02km (0.78 mi) and more than 19,000 inhabitants per square kilometer, which makes it the second-smallest independent, and most densely populated, sovereign state.

Getting around Monaco is easy as there is plenty of public transportation and the country is small on foot as well. Monaco offers world-class entertainment with the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Monaco Yacht Show, and the Casino de Monte Cristo. Real estate in this small locale is coveted by many because of its proximity and easy access to the rest of Europe.

Moreover, Monaco is known for its relaxed tax laws and its secure banks. Folks looking to retire here are sure to enjoy the finer things life has to offer.

2) DUBAI – Dubbed as one of the world’s cleanest cities, Dubai is a hot destination for travelers from all corners of the globe. In 2016, Dubai was the fourth most visited city in the world. The skyline boasts impressive buildings, including the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest manmade structure in the world. Additionally, the city offers more than 70 shopping centers, several water parks, camel rides, the world’s largest choreographed fountain system set to music, and other tourist attractions for visitors.

Dubai does not offer permanent residency, citizenship, or retirement visas to non-native persons. However, this doesn’t mean one cannot retire there as long as permits are consistently renewed every 2-3 years. There are two types of investment visas that retirees can obtain if they wish to stay in Dubai: the business investment visa and the real estate investment visa. Additionally, if a retired adult has a child working in the UAE with a Labor Card and valid residency permit, then he or she can qualify for the dependency visa and move to Dubai with that visa. For the dependency visa, sponsors (adult children) typically need to make at least $65,000 USD per year.

3) SINGAPORE – Like Dubai, retiring in Singapore requires a residency visa through an investment, in most cases. A permanent residency visa can be obtained through a work permit after a year of working and living in Singapore and must be renewed every five years.

However, this country is valued for its rich climate, first- world amenities, favorable exchange rate, and the fact that English is an official language of the nation. Retiring in Singapore will require a higher cost of living and given that it’s one of the world’s largest financial and cultural centers; this is no surprise. However, living here is about enjoying the cosmopolitan lifestyle rather than trying to make savings stretch.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the successful merger between the off-site monitoring division of Corporate Security (Cor-Secure (Pty) Ltd) and Off-site Monitoring (Pty) Ltd (OSM)

Established in 1984, Corporate Security has extensive technical knowledge and experience within the South African security industry. The company offers a range of security services, focusing on the design and installation of off-site monitoring (OSM) and other technically orientated security products.

Utilising select imported and local security products; Corporate Security offers a substantially more cost-effective security monitoring option boasting proven efficacy. The company’s 14-year investment in the Control Room has culminated in a state-of-the-art off-site OSM CCTV control station as well as an analytics system.

Off-Site Monitoring (Pty) Ltd offers its customers a premium 24-hour surveillance service for essential day-to-day systems and security.

A recent article in the Harvard Business Review made a perhaps surprising conjecture: that as far as mergers and acquisitions are concerned, those companies that focus on what they’re going to get from an acquisition are less likely to succeed, in terms of the deal outcomes, than those companies that focus on what they can give to the process.

Acquiring companies being in ‘take’ mode was a dangerous place to be, it claimed. Indeed, corporate giants are not immune from this conundrum either, if we think about, for example, Microsoft and Google wanting to get into smartphone hardware in ‘taking’ from Nokia and Motorola respectively.

A buyer in ‘take’ mode means that the fortunate seller can increase price, especially if there is more than one potential buyer in the picture, and effectively remove the future value of the transaction. Buyers on the take, really knowing what they want, are also more prepared to pay top dollar – which, in and of itself, poses a problem in eventually getting a good return. But companies with a ‘getting’ focus also tend to lack adequate understanding of their new markets, making failure even more likely.

Having something to give to the deal, however, really benefits outcomes. This could mean anything that makes the acquired company more competitive in its market, and especially if the buyer is the only partner who can offer this new competitive edge.

The much-talked-about Harvard Business Review article listed four main ways that the ‘giving mode’ buyer can increase the competitiveness of the bought company and ultimately secure better outcomes on the deal:

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of system integrator ECA to Israeli based IT infrastructure specialist, E&M Computing, trading as EMET.

Based in Reading, ECA has a presence throughout the UK and Ireland as an IoT and embedded industrial computer systems integrator providing core technology from world leading IT manufacturers, Advantech and DellEMC. Technology is utilised to create solutions for ticketing systems on buses and railways which has included work on the London Underground payment system, NHS Trust critical care patient record systems and BT's billing system.

Founded in 1984, EMET specialises in data centre, cloud, and information technology. The company has offices in Ramat-Gan, Rosh Ha'ayin, Petach-Tikva, Haifa and Ashdod with worldwide distribution hubs and a workforce of 850.

Who doesn’t love microbrews? The explosion of the craft-beer revolution has spread across the country.

Western cities, such as Portland, Denver, San Diego, Seattle, and Los Angeles are seeing a large increase in new jobs and establishments in small-scale breweries. This trend is spreading nationwide, and how do we explain this craft-beer boom? It’s relatively simple, the American breweries lack of distinct, indigenous brewing traditions in the past has been conducive to the rise of craft brewing. The small, independent, and traditional brewery adds to the eclectic style and diversity consumers are demanding. The niche styles of beer, particularly hoppy IPA’s, pale ales, infused blends, and specialty brews are leading the way. This changing landscape has created multiple opportunities for the M&A industry.

So, what does this craft beer boom mean to Benchmark International and the M&A industry? The sustained success of craft beer and the changing demographics of brewery ownership has led to more mergers and acquisitions and transactions than ever before. Since 2014, there has been more than one transaction per month. Global players, such as SAMMiller and InBev, are leading the way in the direct M/As of craft beers. What is more interesting in this recent trend of mergers, is the allowance of once previous competitors to combine styles and taste with new hosts to release new and creative craft beers. The rising popularity of craft beers has fueled industry growth and increased valuation multiples towards all-time highs over the last few years.

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the closing of eight deals in just eight days – a record amount closed for the company in such a short space of time.

The clients were from a diverse range of sectors, including those in building and construction, document management, manufacturing, ambulance services, IT, and the distribution of medical products. Benchmark International has capitalised on confidence returning to the market by executing this number of deals in as many days, conducting transactions with private investors, private equity firms and trade buyers, both domestically and internationally, with locations spanning Dublin, Israel and the USA.

What options are there for you when looking to retire? The three main ones are to sell, pass the company down to family or to shut it down completely.

The latter may seem dramatic and not sound so appealing, especially after years of establishing a business and investing copious amounts of time and money into the venture. Unfortunately, for the baby boomer generation, it is increasingly likely that this could happen if a well thought-out succession plan is not implemented.

There is much speculation as to why there is a succession crisis – here are a few possible scenarios as to why this has happened:

THERE IS NO ONE IN PLACE TO TAKE OVER THE BUSINESS

The generation after baby boomers, Gen X (typically those born between the early 1960s and early 1980s) are not as numerous as their predecessors. The generation after, millennials (typically born between the early 1980s and the millennium) are generally not yet of an age to take over a business.

Read also: Inspiring the Millennial Generation

RAPID CHANGES IN AUTOMATION & TECHNOLOGY

Those Gen Xers and millennials who do want to start a business will not want to take over one they feel is antiquated. A lot of businesses now have an online offering, or machines to automate the process, and this is changing how business is done. As such, the younger generations may not want to go into a business in an industry that will not be around for
much longer.

Benchmark International has been awarded the M&A Mid-Market Firm of the Year award for 2018 from Corporate LiveWire. Corporate LiveWire is a corporate news source that provides news from all corners of the globe to business professionals in the corporate sector.

Specifically, Corporate LiveWire focuses on companies involved in mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, MBOSs, and raising finance. They take a close look at the types of transactions completed in all shapes and sizes and analyze the current market. The Corporate LiveWire M&A Awards recognize and celebrate industry experts and dealmakers from across the world.

As stated on Benchmark International’s website, our perspective makes us different. We strive to help clients reach their maximum value for the sale of their business. To accomplish that goal, it’s important to also have good buyside perspective.

Buyers look at companies differently than sellers and some advisors. Certainly, a company’s financials are a common barometer for both sides to gage a company’s performance and success. And cultural fit is a must. Beyond those metrics; however, buyers prioritize characteristics to mitigate investment risk. These characteristics include, scalability, stability, resiliency, and the ability to grow.

Scalability is about a company’s ability to accommodate growth – to behave as a larger entity. Some acquisitions result in smaller companies becoming part of much larger organizations. The new structure sometimes brings new processes, systems, and reporting requirements. These changes in scale can introduce risk if personnel lack the bandwidth, appetite, skills, or resources to ramp up. Buyers seek assurance that the team is adaptable and capable of scaling.

Many investors also seek stability. The project-based business with wild swings in revenues or heavy seasonality, for example, presents significant challenges in performance, planning, and execution. For most investors, consistency is vital and this is often tied to a company’s revenue model. This is a key reason why buyers prefer recurring revenue models. For industrial services businesses, long-term or preventive maintenance contracts provide recurring revenue. Many equipment manufacturers have transitioned to providing a service rather than hardware. For example, some compressor manufacturers retain the physical asset and provide an “air as a service” guarantee for a monthly fee. And software companies achieve this by transitioning to a subscription, or software as a service (SaaS) model. Together with a “sticky” customer base – high switching costs or risk – these all provide a level of revenue stability that might otherwise be absent.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce it has successfully facilitated the sale of UBEO Business Services to Sentinel Capital Partners. Retained as sell side advisors, Benchmark International tasked its US Major Transactions Team with professionals based both in Austin, Texas and Tampa, Florida to spearhead this deal. Benchmark International’s Major Transactions Team handles company sales with enterprise values in excess of $100 million.

UBEO, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a provider of best-in-class document management equipment and related services. UBEO facilitates business technology integration by offering the newest, best, and most innovative ideas in hardware and software solutions to its customer base of approximately 6,000 mid-sized businesses, schools, and municipalities. With a team of more than 225 salespeople, technicians, and support staff, UBEO sells and services globally-recognized copier and printer equipment in major Texas metropolitan markets and operates seven sales sites serving the San Antonio, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston metropolitan areas.

Jim Sheffield, President and CEO of UBEO, said "We are very proud of the reputation we have built. UBEO outperforms its competition in the service categories that our customers value most – technical capability, service quality, and on-time delivery. Partnering with Sentinel well positions us for our next phase of profitable growth."

We’ve all heard it, the best measurement of a city’s growth is the number of cranes and projects going up. We’ve all heard buzzwords about Austin, TX being an “IT” city, but it’s not just Austin that is sprawling with new developments and high-rises. Stop and think about this type of buzzing activity throughout a 70 mile stretch from San Antonio, the home of the Alamo, to Austin-Roundrock. This, my friends, is the I-35 corridor, a stretch of interstate highway that connects San Antonio, San Marcos, Austin and Dallas. Almost everyone has benefited one way or another from the massive growth happening in the region. Better jobs, more activities for the young professionals, and an overall increased quality of life. The growth in the region has, of course, brought upon Central Texas its unique set of challenges that one does not think of
right away.

No, it is not practically unaffordable real estate and rent. The biggest challenge lies in making these interconnected cities feel like home 24/7. Going home sure in the knowledge that the roads will be safe, our lights will turn on, and that water will flow when we take a shower after a long jog in Town Lake (Lady Bird Lake for you non-Austinites).

With the increased growth in population over last decade, the Central Texas region, that is known as the i-35 Corridor, has experienced its unique set of challenges. While home builders and apartment complexes make fortunes from overpriced property values, there is an unsung hero behind the scenes: the engineers who make all this growth possible. As mentioned previously, everyone expects their roads to be safe, their lights to turn on, and their water to run. In Texas, these are all major engineering feats. No, we’re not just flatland sitting on enormous oil and gas reserves. Central Texas is home to the Hill Country, one of nature’s gifts to the world; and as its name implies, it has plenty of hills.

So, how does one exactly get water to flow up the hill? Well, we didn’t know the answer either, and quite frankly, we still don’t, but some of the Benchmark International teammates live on top of hills. So, not having water up there would be a problem. Engineering firms in Texas have long solved problems before the growth spurt in Central Texas. The Colorado River dam for example, or the Houston Port.

2018 has proven to be a year of great activity for Benchmark International. Benchmark International won awards from Corporate LiveWire, ACQ5, and International Advisory Experts. These awards are proof of the commitment Benchmark International places on setting the standard for quality performance and client satisfaction.

2018 MID-MARKET M&A FIRM OF THE YEAR

Corporate LiveWire awarded Benchmark International with the 2018 Mid-Market M&A Firm of the Year. As stated on their website “Corporate LiveWire provides business professionals and individuals in the corporate finance sector with information on the latest news and developments from around the globe. The resource offers regular up to date information on an array of subject areas such as corporate transactions, international markets, business strategy and changes in legislation.”

The Global Winner’s publication, by Corporate LiveWire, will be distributed to more than 90,000 businesses and professionals. Benchmark International will be a featured listing in this publication. The organization accepts nominations from its readers and analyzes industry best practices and track records for success when considering candidates for awards. Moreover, a third-party panel of judges is used to determine the final winners for the various award categories. The Corporate LiveWire Awards identifies the successes of businesses, finance firms and individuals who have led the way in every sector across the corporate finance world. Corporate LiveWire readers nominated Benchmark International, and after a review by the judging panel and the number of nominations considered, Benchmark International was chosen as the winner of this prestigious recognition.

INTERNATIONAL MID-MARKET CORPORATE FINANCE ADVISORY OF THE YEAR 2018

ACQ5 is a leading corporate magazine and news site. It is a finance sector news source for CEOs and CFOs and other corporate finance and private equity executives from all corners of the globe. ACQ5 hosts a legitimately independent nomination process and all award winners are chosen by the industry itself. Benchmark International was chosen as the International Mid-Market Corporate Finance Advisory of
the year.

Acquiring digital companies has become increasingly commonplace, with 2018 being no exception. The year has already seen a number of digital companies acquired, and these were not necessarily by those who operate in the same sector. Traditional retailers, for example, have been acquisitive in this area, particularly as they wish to gain access to next generation technology, as well as new capabilities.

Examples include Nordstrom, which acquired two digital companies, BevyUp and MessageYes. BevyUp facilitates communication between sales associates and encourages shoppers to share information with each other. MessageYes sends personalised notifications to shoppers, allowing brands to text customers.

Another traditional retailer also pursuing digital companies is Target, which acquired Shipt and has assisted it with offering a same-day delivery service.

Selling a business is a daunting venture for all business owners. It involves a lot of feelings and requires a lot of diligence and focus. Benchmark International are mid-market mergers and acquisitions specialists dedicated to sellers who are looking to exit their businesses. One team that is a part of the Benchmark International family is the Major Transactions team. The individuals who work in this area are skilled and prepared to work on acquisitions valued $100 million or more.

“With deals of this caliber, you always have to be prepared for speed-bumps. Forming a positive relationship with the seller early on is essential. They need to have confidence in your ability, and you need to reinforce that in all that you do,” stated Managing Director Kendall Stafford. Stafford plays a lead role in the Major Transactions team for Benchmark International. She explained the diversity of the team makes it strong. ‘When you have people with different strengths working together on the same deal, you cover all your bases. It really makes the transaction process run more efficiently.”

Staffordexplained the most rewarding part of being a leader on the Major Transactions team is knowing that she really gets to make an impact on the growth of individual businesses. “These businesses have the potential to grow into billion-dollar businesses, and we can say we were a part of that.”

As Benchmark International ventures into another year of service in the US, some employees have been along for the ride. This year marks another milestone for the following individuals. As Benchmark International instills in its team and philosophy that they “leave no stone unturned,” these Benchmark International team members do exactly that. Benchmark International gave each employee a brief interview and found out how they have grown professionally and what they see in store in the coming years. This is what they had to say:

Senior Associate, Emily Cogley, stated “Six years at any firm is a true testament to the strength of the company and loyalty of the employee. I enjoy being a part of a hardworking firm that often handles one of the most important decisions for our sellers in their lifetime.” Ms. Cogley has been a part of Benchmark International in the US since its inception. As such, she has seen the growth of the company and has had the opportunity to grow alongside it. “We opened offices in Austin [Texas] and Nashville [Tennessee] in the last two years. I am looking forward to helping the Tampa-based headquarters grow or helping start another Benchmark office in a new city,” she said.

You’ve just walked your client outside and thanked them for stopping by, another successful day of work accomplished. You lock the front door of your establishment and your phone rings. It’s your wife. She’s calling to let you know the test results you had been anticipating from the doctor came in. The doctor regrets to inform the family that the results showed your wife does, in fact, have cancer. Your heart stops as her following words become a blur.

Your immediate reaction is “I need to get home now.” You don’t know how to bring her comfort. You feel helpless; there isn’t a cure for cancer. There are treatments, but you don’t even know what her prognosis is yet. A flood of emotions fill you as all your responsibilities come to the surface of your mind. “My wife is sick, and she needs me. My business can’t run itself. My bills won’t pay themselves. The work won’t do itself. What am I going to do?”

We like to think scenarios like this will never befall us; unfortunately, they can, and they do. There are things that can come up in life at any time without warning, and we need to know our options. As a business owner, encountering a turn of life events such as this might give you a new perspective on what’s important to you. You might want to spend more time focusing on your family and less time on the business. You need to know that you have various options to achieve this goal, and each option has its advantages and disadvantages.

Here are some options if you want to take a step back from your business quickly:

Adjusted EBITDA is a term often used in mergers and acquisitions. EBITDA is defined as “earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.” It is the net income of a business plus interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization added to it. Adjusted EBITDA “adds-back” expenses a current owner may run through a business that do not reflect the typical costs to support operations. Typical add-backs include expenses that: 1) may be unusual or linked to a certain event (like a bad debt write-off or expenses related to move the business); 2) are at the discretion of the current owner (for example, payments to a spouse or child that is not active in the business); or 3) compensation to an owner or family member that may be more than the cost to replace the duties performed by that person. Typically, historical figures for adjusted EBITDA are used as a proxy to reflect the income stream a business will generate in the future.

Why is adjusted EBITDA important? Because it is commonly used to calculate, or impute, the value that is being put on a business. Value is a product of multiplying adjusted EBITDA by an EBITDA multiple. Value = An Income Stream times a Multiple. Conversely, Value divided by an Income Stream (like EBITDA) = Multiple. This is the same concept as a price to earnings multiple in the stock market. However, in the world of mergers and acquisitions, adjusted EBITDA is the income stream commonly used to determine value.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of CSM to OASIS.

CSM is a provider of storage for confidential archive material, confidential data and document destruction services. The company also provides services such as file and box retrieval, unit/furniture storage and an ISO accredited document scanning and digitalisation service. Operating around Central London from a freehold premises, the company is ideally placed to serve hospitals, legal firms and architects.

Operating in the records and information management (RIM) industry, OASIS stores information securely, controlling costs, staying ahead of regulatory requirements and creating value from clients' stored information. Services include records management and document storage, scanning and digital access solutions, data protection services and media vault, shredding and destruction, business continuity and GDPR solutions, and industry solutions. A company operating in Western Europe, OASIS has more than 30 locations across five countries: Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Netherlands, and Belgium.

The Benchmark South African Office has experienced extraordinary growth in the ten months following the company’s investment in Cape Town in response to demand to grow the African operations. The team is therefore proud to announce the opening of its Johannesburg office, the largest city in South Africa and one of the 50 largest urban areas globally.

Strategically, this expansion positions the company’s additional operations near the heart of the country’s wealthiest province, a full three months ahead of schedule. The early establishment of an office in this node was a decision necessitated by the level of activity Benchmark is engaged in with clients and buyers alike, and demonstrates the company’s continued
commitment and growing presence on the continent.

As a country, and in the context of Emerging Markets, South Africa has unparalleled potential as a destination for direct investment and features as one of the most dynamic and rewarding emerging market economies across the globe. As an M&A target region South Africa was recently ranked as the 28th most attractive destination for inbound M&A transactions globally. (According to Zephyr, a product of Bureau van Dijk).

Benchmark International’s Johannesburg office is headed up by Johann Haasbroek who, having worked with many of the current Benchmark team in the past, has extensive M&A, Corporate Finance and Banking experience.

Staying on top of industry trends and gaining practical knowledge is a top priority for Benchmark International. As such, gaining more industry knowledge requires commitment to professional development and creating more connections with potential clients and buyers. Throughout the mergers and acquisitions industry, there is a myriad of events and conferences specific to this field that Benchmark International has the opportunity to attend.

On the 25th May 2018, a new data protection regulation (the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR) replaces the Data Protection Directive with the aim of protecting the personal data and privacy of EU citizens. It must be adhered to by all companies conducting business in the EU, regardless of the location in which they operate.

So, in the context of M&A activity, how will this affect you? One of the changes places a heavier emphasis on the privacy of a company’s customers; therefore, companies will be scrutinised on how they collect, store, use and transfer personal data. The knock-on effect this then has is that during a transaction, an acquirer will carry out even more comprehensive checks on the target, examining internal data protection systems and processes and undertaking checks on contracts with suppliers and subcontractors, which must comply with the new regulation.

This is in an acquirer’s best interest, as they inherit any existing data protection liabilities from the seller post-sale and the penalties for a breach are steep, attracting a maximum fine of either €20m, or 4% of global turnover, depending on whichever figure is highest.

It also will have an effect on the communicating of personal data during the due diligence process between an acquirer and seller. Personal data can now only be disclosed if the acquirer can show a legitimate interest. While in the M&A process, an acquirer can prove that they do have a legitimate interest in the data this is unlikely to extend to every individual involved in the business, instead just encompassing members of the organisation such a managers. Care then has to still be taken to not personally identify any individual outside of this remit, so a seller must make sure they are cautious not to identify individual customers or employees and suitably anonymise this data.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Day 2 to Lynx.

Day 2 is an award-winning office furniture dealership and commercial furnishing scheme consultant acting as a subcontractor to architectural firms, as well as directly for private, public, and commercial clients. The company operates UK-wide although it has an international presence, conducting business in Europe and via a secondary premises in Qatar.

Lynx is a Canadian-based manager of private equity funds. The company seeks to invest in mid-market companies ($750k-$2.5M EBITDA) with the goal of building value through opportunistic acquisitions, strategic leadership and the timely use of financial expertise. Lynx finances its capital requirements through the issuance of high-yield debentures to qualified investors who enter into loan agreements with Lynx for periods of one to five years.

Commenting on the acquisition, Jim Meier, founder and Managing Director of Day 2 said: “I have been evaluating several options for the next chapter in the Day 2 story, and the Lynx team and company ethos have stood head and shoulders above the others.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Droitwich-based FastSMS and London-based Esendex.

FastSMS is a web-based SMS text messaging system provider enabling organisations throughout the UK to send and receive text messages via web browsers, email or by integrating applications through its application programming interface (API).

Esendex is a provider of secure business SMS solutions, delivered via its online platform, email-to-SMS, or its API. The company has a global presence with offices in Nottingham, Barcelona and Melbourne which are served by a 140 strong team.

Benchmark International is off to a strong start in 2018 with the first quarter at an end, many acquisitions completed and more in the final stages. 2018 has been a year of growth, which is highlighted by Benchmark International’s expansion into Tennessee and the addition of 16 new team members.

Benchmark International expanded the central support team, bringing in additional resources for all locations. Dylan Fraleigh and Oshane Hutchinson have joined central as the new IT Systems Administrator and Graphic Designer, respectively. They work closely with all teams and provide assistance to the IT and marketing departments specifically.

Hutchinson expressed that he is excited about his new role as a graphic designer. “The need for an artist to constantly evolve and grow is crucial, and Benchmark [International] fosters this need, and allows me to be creative in my work. This has been a big driver for me in my career, and I hope to support the Benchmark International brand accordingly,” he said.

In relation to his role, Fraleigh commented “What drew me to Benchmark International was its belief that the best teams should be enabled with the best tools. This embrace of emerging technologies is a thrilling prospect for anyone on the tech side of a business. I look forward to growing my own skillset while working to expand the suite of systems that help make Benchmark [International] a leader in the mergers and acquisitions industry.”

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of Secure Care to BrightStar Capital.

Secure Care, established since 2013, is an ambulance service provider for forensic and acute mental health patients providing a 24/7, 365 day service for the movement and care of people with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and dementia. Based in Sussex, the company is located across different sites throughout the UK including London, Leeds, and Birmingham with services provided to a range of clients including private hospitals, prisons, police custody suites and NHS trusts.

BrightStar Capital acquires or invests in stable, profitable businesses with untapped growth potential. The company works with shareholders that are looking to fully or partially exit and takes an active role in helping an existing or new management team grow the business. Typically, the company looks at businesses that have a turnover of £1m-£10m and a £250k-£1.5m EBITDA, operating in sectors such as manufacturing and distribution, media, services, health and wellness, leisure, and consumer and retail.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the transaction between McPhee Bros (Blantyre) (trading as McPhee Mixers) to Elaghmore for an undisclosed multi-million pound sum.

McPhee Mixers was established in 1971 and has developed since then to manufacture and supply its own brand of truck mounted concrete mixers for the construction and quarrying industry, as well as provide a servicing and repair facility.

The company provides its large multinational customer base with a unique product range, tailored to their requirements and, as a result, has been recognised as an industry innovator with a range of patents covering its products.

The company has a robust infrastructure, with a 70 strong team and premises in two locations, comprising a manufacturing plant in Blantyre and a service and repair centre in Chesterfield. As no other UK concrete mixer manufacturer has more than one location, this uniquely places the company in servicing its high profile customer base throughout the UK.

You’re sitting at your desk eating your lunch and reviewing the emails in your inbox when your phone rings. You pick up, on the other end of the phone is an inquirer looking to purchase your company. You haven’t given much thought to whether or not you’re open to selling your business, and here is someone who is ready to purchase it right now. What do you do?

Engage the Right Support Team

First things first, congrats! You might not be thinking to sell right now, and that’s okay, but now you know there is interest in your enterprise. If this inquiry has sparked curiosity in you to explore the possibilities of a sale, you need to be prepared. How do you approach an offer for your business out of the blue? Well, you don’t go into it alone, that’s for sure. You need to have the appropriate team in place to assist you should you decide to explore your options. You will need a sell-side mergers and acquisitions specialist to help you navigate the waters of a sale and break down your options for you.

When it comes to selling your business, it’s okay to acknowledge that you don’t know what you don’t know. Having a mergers and acquisitions firm on your side can help you determine what the approximate value of your business is against others in the same market. Furthermore, you can discuss what your aspirations are for your business and what you hope to achieve from a sale.

What Do You Want?

A call that catches you off guard might have you thinking what the buyer’s intentions are, but you need to think about your intentions. If you consider selling your business seriously, what do you want from a sale?

 

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of Intuition to LaingBuisson.

Established in 2003, Intuition is a specialist in the provision of media, intelligence and solutions for the delivery of consumer and B2B information on the private healthcare sector in the UK and for international travel. The company helps global healthcare providers all over the globe attract more clients through its range of consumer websites, which patients can use to make informed decisions regarding their choice of healthcare professional, hospital or clinic.

LaingBuisson, operating in a complementary sector and providing an excellent strategic fit for Intuition, is a leading provider of market intelligence, consulting and data solutions for the health and social care markets in the UK and the chosen provider of independent sector healthcare market data to the UK’s Office for National Statistics.

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Details:
Join Benchmark International, the creative deal structure experts to learn more about using various M&A deal structures to help achieve your goals in a Transaction. Based on our vast experience, we have completed transactions with creative deal structures to help maximum seller’s Transaction Value and address concerns during the M&A process. You will have peace of mind knowing that your concerns are common concerns that our deal teams deal with on a daily basis.

The M&A Advisor has named Benchmark International the winner of the North American Deal of the Year and the Financials Deal of the Year for their 10th Annual International M&A Awards.

NORTH AMERICAN DEAL OF THE YEAR
Acquisition of Gasco Afilliates, LLC by Tech Air

The sale of Gasco Afilliates, LLC to Tech Air was chosen at the North American Deal of the Year. Managing Director, Tyrus O’Neill headed the team that closed this transaction. He said it took a lot of tenacity and determination to get the client the best possible value for the company. 

“It’s an honor to learn that Tech Air and CI Capital’s acquisition of Gasco won North American Deal of the Year. This achievement is a testament to the entire Benchmark International team and the diligent effort that went into guiding the sell-side process from start to finish,” O’Neill said. ”I truly enjoyed being a part of a deal that delivered specific results for several members of a multigenerational business. It’s a double-win when the deal allows certain members of the business to exit early, while the younger generation remains to take advantage of a robust growth strategy and new capital partners. This is a great example of how Benchmark International’s unique fingerprint strategy generates amazing results in finding the ideal acquisition target and deal structure for our clients. We hope to continue strengthening the market by aligning our clients with the right buyers and creating value for both sides just like in the Gasco deal.”