Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Integrity 1st, Inc and OneDigital, a portfolio company of Onex. This transaction creates a strategic expansion into the Colorado insurance market. 

In today's competitive business landscape, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become a strategic tool for companies to achieve their corporate objectives. This is because M&A can offer companies various opportunities, such as expanding into new markets, gaining competitive advantage, accessing new technologies, and achieving economies of scale. So let's explore how M&A can be crucial to attaining corporate strategy.

Benchmark International’s client Corptemps, Inc., is a staffing company located in Niles, Ohio. They have a fierce reputation for providing high caliber candidates to the manufacturing, warehousing, heavy industrial, clerical, and food production industries for over 20 years. They have become an integral part of the business community by assisting with screening, hiring, and human resource needs.

C4 Laboratories (a provider of cannabis testing services) was recently acquired by SC Labs. SC Labs is a licensed and accredited cannabis testing agency with locations spanning: California, Colorado, Michigan, Oregon, and Arizona.

The global equipment rental industry is rapidly expanding, with the global market size forecast to reach $120.7 billion by 2027. The equipment rental industry is set to experience significant growth in the coming years and is becoming an increasingly important part of the global economy.

Owner’s compensation is a key feature that is addressed in various ways in a CIM. Some variables affect how owner’s compensation is treated in a CIM. Some of these variables include how much salary the owner is receiving, the role of the owner in the business currently, and the owner's role following a transaction. Combining these variables will determine how owner’s compensation is addressed in the CIM. A key point that must be known is that distributions do not affect adjustments to owner’s compensation. Distributions do not affect the income statement of the business, so they are not to be considered when making adjustments for owner’s compensation adjustments.

Benchmark International is proud to have been honored with two new M&A Atlas Awards from the Global M&A Network:

• Industrial Services Deal of the Year as sell-side advisor for the sale of ARC Abatement to West Fork IP, an affiliate of Fernandez Holdings
• Consumer Services Deal of the Year as sell-side advisor for the sale of Classic Emporium, LLC, to Champion Xpress Car Wash

Several elements play into a successful merger or acquisition, from finance to sales and from operations to HR. Leading up to a transaction, it’s not uncommon for business owners to focus more on these elements and not the area of marketing as an important part of their M&A strategy.

Consider putting your company on the market for several reasons. The reasons can vary based on the stage of your business's lifecycle and what your goals for the future may be. No matter your situation, it is always a good idea to step back and look at the big picture to figure out your options. 

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), based in Santa Clara, California, was the U.S.'s 16th largest bank until it failed after a run on its deposits in March of 2023, causing it to be seized by California's Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), which operates under California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. The DFPI placed the bank into the receivership of the FDIC. It worked in offices in 13 countries and employed almost 9,000 people full-time. The bank was a subsidiary of SVB Financial Group, and then the bank's assets were transferred to Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, N.A., after its failure. It was also the largest bank by deposits in Silicon Valley, a region known for being rich in technology companies. The bank's customers included tech startups, venture capital firms, and wealthy technology players. It was the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history, following Washington Mutual's collapse in 2008. At the time of failure, it has $209 billion in assets.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Florida-based JDI Ventures, Inc (“JDI,” DBA “Peak Performance Solutions”) and The Brydon Group, based in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Company valuations are crucial because they determine how much you can sell your business for, and the higher the valuation, the more money you walk away with. And several internal and external factors can affect your valuation. 

Refinitiv, previously known as Thomson Reuters, has released their League Tables for Q1 2023, and Benchmark International was revealed as the #1 privately held M&A Advisor Worldwide and in the United States for the Middle-Market and Small Cap Markets.

Our managing partner, Kendall Stafford, has been awarded the SHE for SHE Leader award by the Global M&A Network's Fifth Annual Top USA Women Dealmakers awards. The awards honor and celebrate brilliant, highly respected, and inspirational women from the United States deal communities, from boutique, middle-market firms to large-cap segments. The SHE for SHE Woman Leader award honors an influential woman from the private equity, venture capital, M&A, and restructuring transactional communities. 

The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Houston has announced the finalists for their 2022 Deal of the Year Awards, and Benchmark International is proud to be on the shortlist for two separate transactions.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the completed acquisition of Inspirant Group Inc. by 10Pearls LLC.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Sarasota, Florida-based R.J. Rhodes Engineering, Inc. and LJA Engineering, based in Houston, Texas.

Corporate America Today has named Benchmark International the Best Global Middle Market M&A Specialist 2023.

Benchmark International Facilitated the Transaction between Appellation Construction Services and Whiteley Infrastructure Group.

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, where the number of homes on the market exceeds demand for housing, so naturally, prices drop. However, in M&A, this is a bit more complex. 

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the Integrity Arts & Technology, Inc. (IDEAS) acquisition by Swagger Agency (20MM LLC).

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between Florida-based Ultra Clean Systems Inc. (Ultra Clean Systems) and Sweden-based Getinge AB (Getinge).

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between North Carolina-based Pet Specialties LLC (“Phydeaux”) and Kentucky-based Feeders Pet Supply.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated a transaction between North Carolina-based Movin’ On Movers and Massachusetts-based Piece by Piece Movers.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the transaction between Orlando-Based Bagel King Wholesale Inc. (Bagel King) and Austin Circle Partners.

In M&A transactions, many sellers often think the hard work is over as soon as they have found the right buyer and gotten the offer of their dreams. Experienced dealmakers recognize this as the start of the hard work in the process rather than the finish line. After an agreed-upon offer, there is a full due diligence process wherein the purchaser will review the entire historical performance, tracking, and operations of the business to be bought, which in and of itself can be a monumental task even before any financial audit or legal proceedings begin. This process is typically managed to utilize a universally accessible location for files, along with a master checklist of which items are where to assist in making the process more fluid.

We proudly announce that Opus Connect has named two of Benchmark International's esteemed team members to 2023's Top 25 Women in M&A. Amy Alonso, Senior Transaction Director, and Kendall Stafford, Managing Partner, have both been awarded the outstanding honor.

Cross-border mergers and acquisitions offer key geographical diversification benefits for buyers and businesses alike. Gaining new exposure in new regions can lower business and operational risks under different economic and regulatory conditions. Buyers often look for cross-border deals when their core markets become saturated, when business slows down, or if they can find regulatory or monetary benefits in another country. Cross-border deals are important because they allow companies to expand their offerings by entering new markets or adding new products, services, intellectual property, or technologies. Cross-border M&A can bolster revenue opportunities and cost synergies while scaling efficiency as company operations expand to a broader market.

In most businesses, books are kept on one of two typical bases: cash or accrual. Some business owners choose one or the other for a specific reason. Others work under the guidance of their CFO, bookkeeper, controller, tax advisor, accountant, or other financial specialists of choice and review the resulting reports to measure operations. However, the two bases of accounting have major differences and can significantly impact the perceived performance of a business. For example, if you've been grappling with the potential sale of a business, most acquirers prefer books on an accrual basis. There are many reasons for this, but the primary reasoning is that accrual basis financial statements follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), whereas the cash basis financial statements do not. However, both bases have their merits depending on the type and function of the business.

For the sale of a company, the parties involved can choose to structure the deal as an asset sale or a stock sale. An asset sale is when a company sells all of its assets or a portion of them. In this type of deal, the seller remains the legal owner of the business but no longer owns the assets sold. Under a stock sale, the buyer purchases equity from the selling company’s shareholders. There are several different reasons for sellers and buyers to pursue one type of transaction over the other.

Positive news surrounding middle market M&A continues to swell as well as continue into 2023. A recent survey conducted by Citizens Bank revealed a great deal of optimism for middle-market M&A activity this year. Essentially, businesses have remained resilient even during challenging economic times. In addition, interest in M&A deals continues to be a top priority by both middle-market companies and private equity (PE) firms as both buyer and seller pipelines return to pre-covid levels. To summarize, all indications point to 2023 being a great year to consider selling your business. So if you have been hesitantly holding off, it is time to start the conversation. 

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Steck Manufacturing and Milton Industries. 

George Steck started Steck Manufacturing Company as Steck's Paint & Body Shop in 1946. Steck has continuously manufactured tools and equipment for the collision repair industry in it’s original location in Dayton, Ohio, for over fifty years. 

Milton Industries, Inc. was founded in 1943 as a family business based in Chicago, Illinois. Milton has been the product of choice for accessories for the past 70 years. Their products have various applications and support a range of different industries such as: automotive, fleet maintenance, construction, and manufacturing. Milton remains the industry forerunner in high-quality accessories and fittings. They are still confidently living up to their legacy of superior products and reliability, to this day. 

This acquisition furthers Milton Industries' aggressive growth strategy by complementing each other’s existing product lines. 

 "This is a textbook example in many ways. Both parties were extremely professional, and our client prepared to move quickly. Developing a strong business relationship with this buyer in a past proved to be very efficient to close a second deal back-to-back." – Director Etienne Deslauriers., Benchmark International 

2023 holds a positive outlook for middle-market business valuations. Results of the survey, 2023 M&A Outlook from Citizens M&A Advisory show good signs for company performance and high motivation for growth this year. The annual survey polls 400 leaders of US middle-market companies with $50 million to $1 billion in revenue and private equity firms actively buying and selling companies in the same revenue range.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Remata (Pty) Ltd & Remata Communications and Printers Production House (Pty) Ltd (Remata) by the Formeset Group of Companies.

Benchmark International is happy to announce the completed acquisition of The J. J. Elemer Corporation by Action Bag Company.

If you are a business owner and want to keep up with all the latest business, finance, and M&A news and insights, these ten sites are a must-add to the bookmarks in your browser, or a follow on social media.