In recent years there has been a significant degree of volatility in the market, but it is generally agreed that we will likely enter a “buyer’s market” soon. Most hear “buyer’s market” about real estate or consumer goods,

Mergermarket has released their global financial advisor rankings for the first half of 2023 and Benchmark International ranked prominently in several prestigious categories.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Marlyn Group by Letsema.

Dynamac, Inc. (Seller) is an Illinois based, precision computer numerical control (CNC) machining facility.  Dynamac employs the latest in high-speed machining and sophisticated automation to satisfy the myriad challenging demands from their customers. Their niche expertise is CNC production milling and turning of aluminum, stainless, kovar, copper and brass.   

Correctly calculating adjusted EBITDA is essential in an M&A transaction, and all parties must be familiar with the adjustments. EBITDA is used to evaluate a company’s profitability of its core operations by removing items dependent on capital structure, such as interest,

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between CCDI, Inc. (Cocoa Beach, Florida) and Black Powder Holdings DBA Black Powder Partners (North Carolina).

Benchmark International successfully facilitated the transaction of M&M Extendo (also known as Extendobed), an aftermarket automotive manufacturer specializing in truck bed slide trays and extenders. The company supplies standard and customizable truck bed slides, extenders, and accessories to fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and working professionals.  

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between New Jersey-based CDM Group, LLC (“CDM,” DBA EPIC Software Development) and Minnesota-based Aubrant, LLC.

Benchmark International is thrilled to announce the strategic relocation of our Cape Town Transactions Team to our new home in the vibrant and prosperous town of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Renowned for its rich history, striking natural beauty, and thriving business landscape, Stellenbosch offers an ideal blend of cultural richness and cutting-edge business opportunities.

Benchmark International has been honored with a Gamechangers™ Progress Champion Award for diversity and fostering inclusion.

Behavioral healthcare services M&A has been on the rise in recent years due to the high demand for mental and behavioral health services in the US. The behavioral healthcare market saw a 45% increase in 2022 versus the prior year and remains a fast market in early 2023.

The global fintech (or financial technology) market was valued at $194 billion in 2022. From 2023, it expects to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8% to reach $492.81 billion by 2028. 

The global disaster restoration industry is currently valued at $41.2 billion. The worldwide demand for disaster restoration services expects to increase significantly through 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% to reach a market value of $80.1 billion.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Florida-based Hole Montes Inc. (Hole Montes) and Virginia-based Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. (Bowman).

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Blue Wave Capital and Consulting, LLC (“Blue Wave”) and Houston-based Pelican Energy Partners (“Pelican”).  

Seller financing is when the seller of a business acts as a lender to the buyer by offering financing for all or some of the purchasing price. The Buyer and Seller negotiate the terms of

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Sunny Morning Foods, Inc. (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Burris Logistics (Milford, Delaware).  

The appliance market is a large household and commercial appliance industry. It includes electrical consumer appliances such as air conditioners, washing machines, clothes dryers, microwave ovens,

Benchmark International is pleased to announce Bidvest Branded Products Holdings' acquisition of Green Home Products. For over a decade, Green Home Products has blazed a trail in introducing environmentally friendly, compostable food packagings solutions, such as bagasse and plant-based bioplastic products, to the Southern African market. Established by Catherine Morris, the company has earned a reputation as an industry pioneer, leveraging a strong brand, high-quality products, and an experienced workforce to meet growing demand. Its strategic location and established supplier and customer relationships facilitate the prompt delivery of goods and services to its broad clientele. With an emphasis on social responsibility and sustainability, the company has remained at the forefront of the industry.

The communications industry has witnessed rapid changes and advancements in recent years, driven by technological innovations and changing consumer demands.

Electrical contractors are a vital component of the construction industry and support broader economies. These businesses employ many workers and generate billions of dollars annually by providing essential services that power societal infrastructure, including

Leveraged Buyout (LBO)

A leveraged buyout occurs when a company is acquired using a significant amount of borrowed money to cover the purchase cost. This is done so they can avoid committing large amounts of capital to an important acquisition.

An acquisition is a transaction in which one company purchases another or a portion of its assets. The acquiring company, also known as the buyer, assumes control of the target company, the seller, by purchasing its stock or specific investments.

The global online event ticketing market was valued at $27.6 billion in 2022 and projects to reach $40.4 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. 

If you are considering selling your business, there are many reasons why you are better off with the guidance of a professional M&A team. There are many reasons why partnering with Benchmark International to sell your company can make a significant difference in both the process and the result. 

When selling a business, most owners focus on the bottom line, typically represented by EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization). However, while EBITDA is an essential metric for valuing a business, it is not the only one that matters. There are other factors that potential buyers consider when evaluating a business, and as a seller, it is crucial to understand these factors to get the best possible value for your company.

The global wine industry is enjoying a ripe comeback following a few challenging years due to restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic. The strong comeback is expected to sustain into the future. In 2023, the global wine market is valued at $333 billion and is expected to grow annually at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% between now and 2027. By 2027, a little over half of all spending, and 26% of volume consumption, will be for out-of-home consumption (e.g., in bars and restaurants).

The staffing industry has experienced steady growth over the past decade, which expects to continue in the foreseeable future. The lower middle market is an ideal space for mergers and acquisitions in the staffing sector, as this industry segment typically comprises small and medium-sized businesses. For staffing companies in this market, selling to a more prominent firm can offer a range of benefits.

The architectural services industry comprises various companies that design and plan buildings and structures spanning residential, institutional, leisure, commercial, and industrial spaces. Key areas of expertise include knowledge of design, construction, zoning, building codes, and building materials.

The value of the global packaging market forecasts to increase from $917 billion in 2019 to $1.05 trillion in 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8%. The market has seen consistent growth over the past ten years thanks to the expansion of new areas, changes in substrate choices, and shifting ownership dynamics. Also, many vendors in the packaging sector are working to grow their market share by building new production facilities for paper packaging. 

Vertical Integration

Vertical integration is a strategy that involves a company expanding its operations into other stages of its supply chain. This means that a company takes control of its suppliers, distributors, or both. Vertical integration can be achieved in two ways, either through backward integration or forward integration.

The manufacturing industry enjoys growth despite labor shortages, supply chain problems, and economic woes. 2023 holds many opportunities for the sector to capture more growth and turn risks into positives. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues are finally on track to ease this year. This is due to improved production and transportation capacity and replenishing inventories.

No matter what business you are in, we all know that life becomes much easier when we have our finances in order. Whether preparing for Tax season, doing an audit, or ensuring that your business is operating at its highest potential, having accountable financials is vital. This becomes especially true when you are trying to sell your business. Not only do your financials need to make sense to you, but they need to be as attractive as possible to potential buyers. A key to making this financial transition as smooth as possible lies in the hands of one person: your bookkeeper. 

After a very active year in 2021 and a reasonably robust market in 2022, M&A deal-making in the healthcare sector will soar in 2023 thanks to much corporate cash and private equity sitting on plenty of dry powder. Healthcare and health services companies are expected to actively explore M&A, divestitures, and other types of transactions, making it an attractive marketplace for parties.

We are proud to announce that our very own Brittney Zoeller, Global Creative & Brand Strategy Director at Benchmark International, has been named among the Top 10 Inspiring Women Leaders of 2023 by Industry Era Women Leaders magazine.

The global industrial distribution market was valued at $7.72 trillion in 2022 and is forecasted to reach $11.93 trillion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%.

How do Economic Conditions affect the Lower Middle Market? 

The lower middle market is typically defined as companies with an enterprise value (EV) between $5 million and $100 million. A range of factors, including economic conditions, interest rates, and availability of financing, influences M&A activity in this market segment. In recent years, lower middle market M&A has been driven by several factors, including a strong economy, low-interest rates, and the availability of financing. Here are a few ways that current economic conditions can affect M&A activity in these key industries:

Don’t Delay

As a business owner, an exit plan is critical to preparing you and your company ready for retirement or your next act. Unfortunately, many business owners do not realize the importance of exit strategies, so they don’t feel like it’s worth taking the time to craft one. This is often a huge mistake. It doesn’t matter if you do not plan on selling or retiring soon. However, it’s wise to have an exit strategy for several reasons. 

If you are considering selling your company, you have several options for pursuing the sale, and you have quite a few decisions to make. And this is a journey you do not want to take lightly. You’ve worked so hard to build your business. When you sell it, you want everything right to get the value you deserve. In addition to extracting value, you want the process to be as painless as possible. These are the reasons you should consider having the representation of a reputable mergers and acquisitions firm. Partnering with the right M&A advisor can significantly affect your sale price.