Benchmark International is delighted to announce the successful sale of Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours Limited (Arblaster) to Specialist Tours Limited (Specialist Tours) for an undisclosed sum.

Strategic Investment in Leading Developer of Pharmacy Management Software

Benchmark International’s Major Transaction Team had the opportunity to represent Transaction Data Systems, Inc., doing business as Rx30 ("Rx30"), in a transaction with new investor GTCR completed on Monday. GTCR’s strategic equity investment in Rx30 will accelerate Rx30’s new product development and continued growth. Rx30's CEO, Steve Wubker, and the existing management team will continue to lead the company.

Rx30 is a leading national developer and supplier of vertical enterprise software that offers pharmacy management software solutions to the independent, hospital, long-term care and specialty pharmacy markets. Dedicated to the independent pharmacy market for the last 35 years, Rx30 offers a suite of market-leading software solutions to enable prescription filling, pharmacy management and other critical functions for its pharmacist customers.

Kendall Stafford, Managing Director of Benchmark International, stated, “It was a pleasure to advise Rx30 on this transaction. It was important for CEO Steve Wubker and the existing management team to partner with an equity investor that would add both healthcare and technology expertise to help accelerate the growth of the company. GTCR was the perfect fit. The transaction allowed the founding shareholders to exit happily at close, knowing their company is in good hands, with the existing management team continuing to grow the business and a new equity partnership in place to support their vision. It will be an exciting road forward for Rx30 and we were fortunate to be a part of the company’s growth and starting this next chapter. We wish each party the best of luck.”

If you are considering a strategic partnership or exit, Benchmark International should be your first call.

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the successful sale of Systems Up Limited (SystemsUp) to iomart Group plc (iomart) in a deal worth up to £13 million.

The dust is finally settling on the post-election period. The build up to the election was marked by low levels of activity prompted by uncertainty for investors, so recent ONS statistics delivering the news that Q1 of 2015 had historically low-levels of M&A activity in the UK should come as no surprise. As the Conservative party has secured its first majority for over two decades and is poised to deliver their first budget next month on the 8^th July, Benchmark International reviews the press to see what business publications are saying about UK M&A activity in light of the Tory victory.

The biggest fear for any buyer in an M&A transaction is purchasing a problem rather than a solution.

This is the first of three blogs that will give you, the business owner looking to sell your company, an insight into the art of due diligence and its important in the M&A process.

Throughout our 10 blog series, we have discussed the different processes and stages recommended for you, a business owner, to take that could make your company more valuable and saleable.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Yeovil Plumbing Supplies Limited to the Bradfords Group.

David Cameron has vowed to lead a government for “one nation” and will make “Great Britain greater” after securing the 326 seats needed for the first majority Conservative government since 1992.

In our penultimate blog we will discuss legal issues in your business, and the importance of tackling them.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the successful sale of Academy Design & Technology Services (Academy Design) to Integrity Trade Services Inc. (Integrity) in a deal for an undisclosed sum.

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the successful sale of AF Cruden Associates Limited (AF Cruden), to Arch Henderson LLP (Arch Henderson) for an undisclosed fee.

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the proposed sale of W. Corbett & Co. (Galvanizing) Limited (W. Corbett) to Hill & Smith Holdings PLC (Hill & Smith) in a deal valued at £10.5 million on an Enterprise Value basis.

A recent survey suggests that circa 60% of UK companies are planning to acquire assets over the next 12 months, with the appetite for cross-border transactions at an all-time high.

Benchmark International’s US team has stepped up efforts to help a local university competing in the Clinton Foundation’s Hult Prize Competition, encouraging students to form profitable businesses that provide social good through health care and education for those living in poverty. The judges, including Bill Clinton, will determine the ultimate winner based upon the viability of the business and the degree to which the targeted social benefits appear achievable.

Following the successful acquisition of a business represented by Benchmark International’s UK Transaction team, a Castle Bromwich-based company has posted substantially improved pre-tax profits of £1.7m, compared to £16,000 in 2013.

In the final three instalments of our 10 blog series, we will discuss running your business as though selling is not a necessity, tackling problems that may lead to legal disputes and the importance of first impressions of your company. 

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the successful sale of Seven Seas Logistics Limited (7seas) to a private buyer, for an undisclosed fee.

Being mindful of our impact on our local and wider environment is a shared responsibility, and Benchmark International takes this responsibility seriously by actively participating in a number of environmental schemes.

Although it may seem trivial, it is fundamental for you, as a business owner, to consider the reliability of your management and financial information.

Benchmark International is proud to sponsor this year’s Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) InterGrowth event on 13^th April, one of the largest middle-market Mergers and Acquisitions event in North America.

US food consortium Heinz is set to merge with Kraft Foods Group, creating what both companies describe as one of the largest food and beverage company’s in the US, encompassing high profile brands such as Kraft, Heinz and Oscar Mayer.

One of the richest men in the world believes the UK is the best place in the world to invest.

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the successful sale of Lancelyn Lighting Limited, trading as ‘Lancelyn Theatre Supplies’, to Northern Stage Services Limited.

You, as a business owner, need to be aware of the vulnerabilities faced by your business if the products and services you offer are easy to replicate.

Under the proclamation that “Britain is walking tall again”, Chancellor George Osbourne delivered the 2015 Budget, announcing that the national debt target has been met and predicted the “end of austerity” a year early.

Benchmark International’s own Andy Hancock is running the 2015 Greater Manchester Marathon, on 19^th April, to raise money for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

“Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything…” Steve Jobs

At the halfway stage of our 10 blog series we’ve already discussed removing owner dependence, demonstrating growth in sales, profits and cash with good projections, reducing customer and supplier dependence, adding depth in staff, and making sure your business’ brand values are clear, attractive and resilient.

Benchmark International is delighted to announce the sale of Contronics Limited (Contronics), which has been acquired by two private investors, for an undisclosed fee.

Benchmark International has advised on the successful sale of Wimpole Printing Limited (Wimpole) to Greens Digital Limited (Greens Digital), for an undisclosed fee.

In this instalment, the fourth of our 10 blog series, we will discuss the importance of brand values.

Benchmark International has advised on the successful sale of PDC Utility Services Limited (PDC) to Siteserv Group (Siteserv), in a deal which bolsters the industrial services division of its subsidiary, Deborah Services Limited (DSL), for an undisclosed fee.

In the third instalment of our 10-blog series about the steps business owners may wish to consider when working toward maximising value and saleability, we look at some of the external and internal factors at play:

We’re pleased to bring you the second instalment of our 10-part blog series about the steps you can take to improve your business in the eyes of an acquirer, before taking it to market:

Over the course of a 10-blog series, we will highlight the key steps business owners should take in order to maximise the value and saleability of their business. Industry specialist and founder of ‘Prepare to Sell’, Richard Wright, advises 10 key steps.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the successful sale of Michael Robb (Accountancy and Taxation Services) Limited to JM Taylor Limited.

The Aberdeen-based company Michael Robb (Accountancy and Taxation Services) was established in 1998 as a one-man business catering for all the needs of small to medium sized business, including accountancy, taxation, VAT, and payroll services. The continued success and growth of the Company has meant constant additions to staff, which now numbers five.

The acquirer, JM Taylor Limited, offers financial and accountancy services to the local business community. Established in 1978, JM Taylor has vast experience and acts as accounts/business consultants and independent advisers to circa 2,000 clients, both large and small.

The Company is ideally located for this acquisition as it has offices in three locations in the north east of Scotland, Aberdeen, Ellon & Blackburn.

Discussing the deal, Benchmark International Chief Operations Officer, James Thornton noted, “The opportunity generated 38 interested parties, resulting in two firm offers.

“With two competing offers providing a competitive atmosphere surrounding the deal, our client was afforded the opportunity to select an acquirer which would best suit his objectives and those he holds for the company.

“The timeframe in which the deal was completed is also worthy of note, just over eight months from the initial marketing phase being undertaken. On behalf of everyone involved at Benchmark International, I would like to wish them all the best for the future.”

For several years, Private Equity firms have been slowly shifting their focus toward sub-$50 million acquisition opportunities. These smaller acquisitions offer bolt-on opportunities for firms to integrate into their current portfolios, and also represent reduced risk for firms still wary of over exposing themselves following the uncertainty of the past few years.

Benchmark International will sponsor ACG Intergrowth 2015, held at the Waldorf Astoria Resort, Orlando Florida, 13-15 April.

Benchmark International has advised on the successful sale of Formations Direct Limited to Xephyr Limited in an all-cash deal amounting to nine times the Company’s EBITDA.