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Healthcare Is A Hot Industry For M&A In 2023

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.

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Benchmark International's Kendall Stafford Wins "Top USA Woman Deal Maker Award"

Benchmark International’s own Kendall Stafford has won the Top USA Woman Deal Maker Award from the 4th Annual USA Growth Intelligence Forum and the USA M&A Atlas Awards.

The award singularly honors the A-list of the most talented, respected, and brilliant women dealmakers from private equity, venture capital, investment banks, legal, and restructuring transactional communities. It is officially “award winner recognition,” unlike industry lists, rankings, editorial praise, or write-ups.

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4 Reasons Why the UK has Deal Appeal

Political uncertainty in the UK has been a hot topic for the last year, particularly due to Brexit delays. This has had an impact on dealmaking throughout Europe in 2019, however, as we enter into 2020, greater optimism is expected with regards to deal activity.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

So, what are the reasons for this positive outlook, and what are the reasons for the UK’s deal appeal?

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Benchmark International Has Facilitated The Transaction Of Lovett & Tharpe To LTI International

 

Benchmark International has facilitated the sale of Lovett & Tharpe, Inc. to LTI International, LLC.

Lovett & Tharpe has been in business for more than 85 years, serving the needs of over 500 farm equipment dealers in the Southeast. Lovett & Tharpe distributes the product lines of more than 30 different manufacturers worldwide. Lovett & Tharpe operates from a 72,000 square foot warehouse in Dublin, GA.

Eddie Herrin, President of Lovett & Tharpe, stated, “The Benchmark International team facilitated the sale of my business from the earliest stages of marketing through the final agreement and completion of the deal. They acted in a courteous and professional manner and provided the insights and assistance I needed as a first-time seller. I would highly recommend Benchmark International to anyone considering the sale of their business!”

LTI companies offer procurement and distribution of specialized agricultural, industrial, hotel, construction and truck equipment, and spare parts. With over three decades of experience in procurement services and a team of seasoned industry veterans, LTI is a premier supplier to the US, Caribbean, and Latin-American marketplaces. LTI is a Georgia limited liability company with operations in Orlando, FL.

Benchmark International Director Leo Vanderschuur stated, “It was a pleasure to represent Eddie and Lovett & Tharpe in this transaction. Throughout the process, Eddie was exceptionally responsive, diligent, and professional. This acquisition represents a tremendous opportunity for both businesses and their teams to strategically accelerate the rate of profitable growth. On behalf of the numerous Benchmark International personnel that worked on this opportunity, we congratulate both teams on reaching this goal.”

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Benchmark International Facilitates the Transaction of In-O-Vate Technologies Inc. to Continental Materials Corporation

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the transaction of In-O-Vate Technologies Inc. ("InOvate") to Continental Materials Corporation ("CMC").

InOvate, based in Jupiter, Florida, is a leading manufacturer of premium, metal dryer venting accessories used in residential home construction. Founded by Rick Harpenau in 1996, and led by tenured employees James Ortiz and Cliff Budnick, InOvate has grown consistently through supplying quality engineered, superior products along with delivering excellent customer service.

In response to the transaction, CEO Cliff Budnick stated, "Benchmark helped create a strong first impression for InOvate when introduced to CMC. The InOvate team is excited to continue its growth as part of the CMC portfolio. Equally, we appreciate the ability to maintain our family-oriented culture while ensuring stability for our staff, customers, and vendors alike. "

Founded in 1954, Continental Materials Corporation is a public holding company with subsidiaries in heating and cooling manufacturing, building products, commercial door distribution, and manufacturing and aggregates mining and processing. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, CMC employs approximately 450 employees across the US.

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Senior Deal Associate, Sunny Yang Garten, added, "It was a pleasure to represent InOvate in this transaction. Throughout the process, Rick and his team were exceptionally responsive, diligent, and professional. This acquisition represents a tremendous opportunity for both businesses and their teams to strategically accelerate the rate of profitable growth. On behalf of the numerous Benchmark International personnel that worked on this opportunity, we congratulate both teams on reaching this goal."

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How Do I Know If I’m Ready To Retire?

Retirement is a significant decision that you have waited your entire life to make. Most people retire between the ages of 60 and 70, but everybody faces a different set of circumstances that dictate when they can retire. So how do you know if you are ready?

The most important factor in retirement is whether your financial situation will allow you to do so with security and peace of mind.

Do you have enough money saved? You want to live comfortably and maintain the standard of living to which you are accustomed. The last thing you want to do is retire and then realize you don’t have the means to live the way you are used to and end up having to downsize your dreams.

Are the markets in the right place so that you maximize your investment returns? Maybe your portfolio took a little bit of hit recently. Giving it a little time to recover can be a wise strategy. Consider where the markets are and where they are forecasted to be in the upcoming months. If you time it right, you can make the most of your decision.

Are you debt free? It may not be the smartest move to retire if you still carry debt you must pay, especially if it is significant. Retiring when you are debt free means retiring when you are worry free.

Do you need a plan to cut down on potential expenses? If you have a strong desire to retire but feel that you are not as financially confident as you would like to be, you can devise a plan to reduce your monthly expenses and ease some of the burdens.

Of course, there is more to the decision than just financial factors. You must consider whether you are mentally and emotionally prepared for retirement.

Are you no longer interested in pursuing career opportunities? If you are still hungry to attain work-related goals or you feel that you haven’t achieved everything you set out to achieve, then maybe retirement is not for you just yet. You do not want to retire and then feel that you are missing out or that you didn’t reach your full potential.

Do you find yourself thinking about recreational and social activities more than you are thinking about work? If you find yourself standing on the golf course, wishing you could spend more time there, then it may be a good time to consider retirement. Sometimes getting out before you are completely checked out is in the best interest of you and your business.

Do you have a plan for how you want to spend your time? It is not unheard of for people to retire only to become overwhelmed with boredom and a lack of purpose. Having a plan in place can help you stay busy and feel that you are achieving a new set of goals in life.

If you are retiring with your spouse, are you equally ready and on the same page when it comes to how you will spend your time? If you are in this together, make sure your plan is truly in sync. If one of you wants to travel the globe and the other one just wants to spend time with the grandchildren, there could be a conflict that you didn’t even realize you would have to address. Plan your vision for retirement together.

These are all critical questions to ask yourself when deciding if you are ready for retirement. But there is one more crucial question that you must address.

Do you have an exit strategy for retiring from your business? An exit plan is essential because it ensures that your business will make a successful transition into its next phase of ownership. Also, an exit plan will help you boost the value of your business so that you are prepared to sell at the ideal time.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?
A proven strategy for success regarding exit planning is to partner with a trusted advisor, such as Benchmark International. We can help you find the right buyer, maximize value, and craft a dream exit that leads to a happy and satisfying retirement.

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Benchmark International Facilitated the Transaction of Master Printing Group to JAL Equity

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the sale of Master Printing Group to JAL Equity. Master Printing is one of the Mid-South's leading marketing solutions providers. The company provides complete services from design and concept through the production of complicated collateral pieces. Additionally, the company operates a full-service graphic design, marketing, and advertising division as well as comprehensive direct mail services.

JAL Equity is a boutique private equity firm based out of Sarasota Florida and focuses on acquiring small businesses and operating them profitably over the long term. The company targets printing services, data services, direct marketing, and lead generation entities.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Senior Deal Associate, JP Santos, added, "The Benchmark International team is incredibly excited about the future of Master Printing Group under the ownership of JAL Equity. The previous owners did an outstanding job of building a company with an impeccable reputation in the market, and a brand that was built over generations. Jon and Susan were a pleasure to work for, and we're excited about what the future holds for them both. JAL Equity has proven to be successful in this industry, and the corporate and cultural fit amongst the JAL Equity and Master Printing Group was apparent from the first conversation."

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10 Things Most People Don’t Know About The M&A Process

1. Most M&As Fail
According to collated research and a recent Harvard Business Review report, the failure rate for M&A is between 70 and 90 percent. To effectively complete a deal, there must be a clear strategy and open communication among all parties.

2. Expect Due Diligence
Experienced buyers conduct meticulous due diligence. They want to know exactly what they are taking on, and that includes factors such as obligations, liabilities, contracts, litigation risk, and intellectual property. As a result, sellers should be prepared to provide very thorough documentation.

3. Priorities Change
Your company may be a good strategic fit today, and in a year from now. But people are fickle, and priorities can change, so a good offer today could be a non-existent offer later.

4. Employees Will Have Questions
In any sale of a business, employees are going to have questions about how the transaction will affect them. Also, the buyer will want to know how specific issues are handled. Will there be layoffs? Have confidentiality agreements been signed? What about any stock options? How will management be changed? These are just a few questions that should be anticipated.

5. Don’t Overlook Technology
These days, virtually every industry is impacted by technology. In the M&A process, it is important to think about how IT platforms will be consolidated or integrated, how technological changes can affect inventory, and how cloud management will be used, among many other factors.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

6. M&As Are Often Funded by Debt
Low interest rates on loans encourage M&A. In 2015, acquisition-related loans worldwide totaled more than $770 billion, the most since 2008.

7. Competition Will Result in the Best Deal
The more bidders there are on a sale, the more favorable the conditions are for the seller to negotiate a higher price and better terms. Even if there is only one serious bidder among several, the perceived level of interest can lead to brokering a better deal.

8. Synergy is a Must-Have
For an M&A deal to succeed, vision and strategy need to be synergized at the executive level and communicated to all management. M&As can fail due to a misalignment of vision for the culture, the industry, each company’s role, and more. The cultural fit of two companies can be crucial to how successfully they meld.

9. It Can Take Awhile
From beginning to end, most mergers and acquisitions can take a long time to be completed, usually in a period of around 4 to 12 months. The length of time depends on how much interest the seller has generated and how quickly a buyer conducts due diligence.

10. You Need an M&A Advisor
An experienced M&A advisory team can help ensure that the complex process of selling or buying a company goes smoothly, addressing all of the issues mentioned above on this list.

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Benchmark International Facilitated The Transaction Of Am Engineering, Inc. To Fremont-Wright, LLC

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the acquisition of AM Engineering, Inc. (“AME”) by Fremont-Wright, LLC (“Fremont-Wright”).

AME is a Florida-based business headquartered in Sarasota. AME specializes in civil engineering and land surveying projects for large and small-scale land development, water distribution systems, wastewater collection facilities, roadways, parking facilities, and site grading. AME offers both engineering and surveying services for residential and commercial clients. The sale to Fremont-Wright creates new growth opportunities for the business.

Fremont-Wright is a holding company based in Memphis, TN, and specializes in aerial and land survey, as well as civil and structural engineering. Its companies – Triton Engineering, I.F. Rooks, Colbert Matz Rosenfelt, and Harmsen – also offer services such as photogrammetry, environment management, volumetric services and utility design. Fremont-Wright serves the institutional, mixed use, commercial and residential industries. This acquisition fits well with Fremont-Wright’s continued nationwide growth strategy.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Shawn Leins, president and one of the owners of AME stated, “We are excited to join the Fremont- Wright team and look forward to continued growth and success.”

Regarding the deal, Transaction Director Leo VanderSchuur at Benchmark International stated, “It was a pleasure to represent AME in this strategic transaction. On behalf of Benchmark International, we wish both companies continued success.”

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Benchmark International has Successfully Facilitated The Acquisition Of Credex Systems, Inc. by Valsoft Corporation, Inc.

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the acquisition of Credex Systems, Inc. (Credex) by Valsoft Corporation, Inc. (Valsoft). Credex is a vertical software solution that offers loan origination and servicing software. The cradle-to-grave software solution originates and administrates a loan throughout its existence, serving financial entities and their client base. Valsoft acquires and develops vertical market software companies, enabling each business to deliver the best mission-critical solutions for customers in their respective industry or niche. A key tenet of Valsoft’s philosophy is to invest in well-established businesses and foster an entrepreneurial environment that shapes a company into a leader in its respective industry. Unlike private equity and VC firms, Valsoft does not have a predefined investment horizon and looks to buy, hold, and create value through long-term partnerships with existing management and customers.

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

Michael Lightfoot, President and owner of Credex said “The sale of Credex to Valsoft was a quick process that took a number of turns during diligence. Throughout the engagement with Benchmark, the team acted as true advisor helping to walk me through each step of the process, and maintain the majority of my attention on running Credex on a day-to-day basis. I also appreciate the speed and transparency Valsoft operated with, allowing to move from first interest to a deal closing within 5 months.

Chris Malouf, Associate of Mergers & Acquisitions at Valsoft, said “We are thrilled to have completed the acquisition of Credex. Pairing Michael’s expertise with our firm’s resources will allow us to seamlessly enter this market. We have plans to continue backing Michael Lightfoot as President of Credex and lead the charge for Valsoft’s expansion into loan origination and servicing.

Benchmark International Associate Transaction Director David Steverson stated, “We’re extremely excited for Michael Lightfoot, the Credex family, and the Valsoft team. This transaction allows Valsoft to maintain their investment thesis while entering a new market, loan origination and servicing. Partnering Credexproduct offering with Valsoft’s industry knowledge and wealth of resources will allow Credex to develop into a prominent player within this market.

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Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the sale of Machine Cutting Services (MCS) to Montsi Investments

Benchmark International has successfully facilitated the sale of its client, Machine Cutting Services to Montsi Investments, a 100% black-owned family investment company operating in South Africa and Ghana.

Machine Cutting Services, based in Modderfontein, South Africa, offers on-site machining services, products sales and rentals to, inter alia, the power generation, petro-chemical, mining, paper and sugar milling, and heavy engineering sectors. The company is an agent and distributor of prestigious, global brands of on-site machining tools as well as top quality plumbing tools.

Montsi Investments recognised the value in adding MCS to their stable of investments, which includes companies such as aggregate producers in South Africa and Ghana. Through their acquisition of the company they plan to expand its geographic footprint in Africa and leverage the improved B-BBEE score to secure new business.

“With a prior attempt at selling the business by another advisory having been unsuccessful, I was beginning to think I’d never get to retire, but the Benchmark team really came through for me and delivered on their promise to assist me in finding succession for my business”, stated the seller Mr Derek Holliday, adding “I felt well supported by Johann throughout the sale process. His expert guidance was invaluable.” 

Ready to explore your exit and growth options?

“We knew that a completely fresh approach to a wider market would be required” says Johann Haasbroek, the Transaction Director at Benchmark International. “The buyer was identified through the Benchmark process and once we conveyed the unique advantages that they would gain by acquiring the business; such as the growth that could achieved though the company’s superior ability to navigate the South African legislation in which the company operates, the buyer saw the potential for growth and engaged.”

Encouraged by what the deal indicates about the South African M&A industry, Andre Bresler the Managing Director at Benchmark International, concluded “This transaction is testament to the ever-increasing maturity and success of the BEE industrialist and investor market where strong interest was forthcoming from a number of strategically motivated buyers with impressive portfolios and track records of success, capable of adding genuine synergistic value.”

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Global M&A Activity to Reach Record Figure of £2.4 Trillion in 2018

Worldwide mergers and acquisition activity will hit £2.4 trillion ($3.2 trillion) next year, as deal-making is elevated on an increasing global economic tide, according to recent forecasts.

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Giving in Order to Receive: A Surprisingly ‘Warm and Fuzzy Glow’ in the Harvard Business Review

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.

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Benchmark International Advises on the deal between Sui Generis Holdings Limited to Milbank Concrete Products Limited

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that a deal between Sui Generis and Milbank has been agreed.

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Medical Sector M&A in Rude Health: Medisec Acquisition Part of Wider Trend for Synergetic Deals

We’ve recently been seeing at first hand the rise in medical and healthcare sector mergers and acquisitions both domestically and internationally, with Dublin-based Clanwilliam Group’s synergetic acquisition of Cheshire-based NHS technology provider Medisec (brokered by Benchmark International) the most recent example.

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Benchmark International Advises on The Sale of Levy Brothers & Knowles Limited to NNZ

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that a deal between Levy Brothers & Knowles Limited (LBK) to NNZ has been agreed.

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Greening Due Diligence: Environmental Factors to Consider in M&A Preparation

‘Green-washing’ is pretty much endemic in the business world, with every company worth its salt aiming to showcase its environmental credentials, whether rightfully or as a PR exercise.

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Benchmark International Advises on the Deal Between SigmaRoc and Topcrete Limited

 

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The ‘Urge to Merge’ is Alive and Kicking Globally – With a Trend towards Smaller Deals

In a much-talked-about piece in the New York Times recently, Hernan Cristerna, Co-Head of Global M&A at JP Morgan Chase, diagnosed the global mergers and acquisitions market as alive and very much kicking – in spite of ongoing Brexit anxieties and considerable political uncertainty around the Trump administration.

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Benchmark International Opens Ireland Office

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that after an exciting year of growth, we are expanding our international reach to Ireland.

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Benchmark International Advises on the Sale of Furlong Business Solutions Limited to Volaris Group

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Furlong Business Solutions to Volaris Group.

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Post-Brexit Benefits for Mergers and Acquisitions

Irrespective of the outcome and the eventual deal Britain strikes with the EU, there will be greater uncertainty for businesses in the near-term.

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What Do Major Mergers and Acquisitions Mean for Small Retailers?

It seems as though every other day, the headlines announce a new acquisition among major retailers. The giants in the industry are diversifying their products, sucking up more stock, and building mighty kingdoms that boutique and small business owners can’t even throw stones at. How can these smaller businesses possibly compete? First, take a look at what’s happening…

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The Importance of Disclosure Schedules In Mergers & Acquisitions

Disclosure schedules are an integral part of any merger or acquisition (M&A) transaction. They contain information required by the acquisition agreement—typically a listing of important contracts, intellectual property, employee information, and other materials as well as exceptions or qualifications to the detailed representations and warranties of the selling company contained in the acquisition agreement.

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Timing: A Critical Factor in M&A

Timing is, without doubt, one of the most critical factors in mergers and acquisitions; a recent report found that it is, in fact, the single most reliable predictor in terms of creating real shareholder value.

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ROC Northwest Client Testimonial {Video}

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To Sell or Not to Sell: The Top Four Reasons Entrepreneurs Choose to Sell

Entrepreneurs, by nature, are people who spend a considerable amount of time looking for the next opportunity. And for them, 'the next opportunity' often includes a suitable time to sell their company.

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Europcar Looks to Boost Low-Cost Presence With Goldcar Deal

French rental car company, Europcar has made its fourth acquisition of the year in the form of Europe's largest low-cost car rental agency, Goldcar.

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Competition Watchdog Clears Path for Asset Management Mega Merger

Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given the go-ahead for the £11 billion merger of Scotland-based asset management companies Standard Life and Aberdeen Asset Management.

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Benchmark International wins ‘International Mid-Market Corporate Finance Advisory of the Year’ for a third time

Benchmark International is proud to announce that it has, once again, been named ‘International Mid-Market Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year’ at the annual ACQ Global Awards.

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Benchmark International Expands Into South Africa

A Manchester-based M&A specialist has expanded into South Africa with the opening of an office in Cape Town.

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Apple Continues Acquisition Trail with Lattice.io

Following news last week that Apple had completed a deal to acquire sleep-tracking device company Beddit, the tech behemoth has completed yet another acquisition in the form of Lattice.io.

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Lavazza Weighs M&A Options in a Strengthening Coffee Market

Italy’s largest coffee group by sales, Lavazza now have the capacity to spend up to €2bn on acquisitions to further its global ambitions within a strong industry dominated by Nestlé and JAB of Switzerland.

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Apple Gets Into Beddit With Latest Acquisition

Last week it was revealed that Apple had completed a low-key deal to acquire Beddit, a Finnish company that makes sleep-tracking devices compatible with apps for both iOS and the Apple Watch.

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Coach Bags Kate Spade

New York design house of modern luxury accessories and lifestyle brands, Coach Inc has acquired its rival Kate Spade & Company for $2.4 billion, a figure “not justified strictly by the numbers” according to the New York Times.

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An Apple/Disney Merger on the Cards?

Apple has hit the headlines this week with the media speculating whether or not they are set for a mammoth acquisition due to its significant and ever-growing stash of cash.

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SiriusXM Gets Connected With Automatic in $100 Million Deal

This week it was announced SiriusXM would acquire San Francisco-based connected car company Automatic Labs Inc. in a deal worth $100 million, according to TechCrunch.

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UK Companies Set For A Rampant 12 Months Of M&A Activity

According to a recent report, UK companies are braced for a surge in deal-making this year, as executives prepare their businesses for life away from the European Union.

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Exova to be bought by Element Materials in £620m deal

After several weeks of speculation, it has been announced that global lab testing specialist Exova has accepted an all-cash takeover from its industry rival Element Materials Technology Group.

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Becton Dickinson acquires C.R. Bard in $24 billion deal

In the biggest deal of the company’s 120-year history, medical device giant Becton, Dickinson & Company has announced its acquisition of C.R. Bard for $24 billion.

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