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Merger & Acquisition Advisor
Trusted Merger & Acquisition Advisor
Your business is unique. It represents your life's work. And pursuing a merger or acquisition will be one of the most important transactions you will undertake. You need a M&A Advisor that understands your situation and can craft a customized solution that meets your financial and personal goals.
Whether you are looking to sell your business, merge, acquire another entity or recapitalize your business, we act as your advocate and trusted Dallas Merger and Acquisition Advisor. We manage the entire process. We guide you through the complexities of a transaction from A to Z. Our goal is to execute a transaction that achieves excellent results and meets your goals.
Sell-Side M&A: We Maximize Your Business Value
Has a strategic buyer, competitor or private equity firm approached you about buying your business? Are you considering how to exit or obtain liquidity for your business? Are you wondering if the time is right to seek a buyer?
We specialize in selling middle-market commercial and industrial companies. Clients are generally owners of companies with $15 - $250 million in revenue who desire to explore an exit or liquidity event, such as a company sale, divestiture or recapitalization. No matter which situation you are in, Wilcox Investment Bankers’ guidance and advocacy can dramatically increase your odds of success and maximize the value you receive.
Routinely, our clients close their deal at a higher value and with better terms than what they expected. Additionally, clients have the peace of mind and confidence knowing they have approached their transaction professionally and prudently, having done the right thing for their family, company, employees, and customers.
We Create Competition: More Buyers, More Bids and a Higher Price
Our approach ensures you achieve the highest price, multiple strategic options and the best deal terms possible. We customize each engagement according to your financial situation, goals and capital market possibilities. We advantageously position your business and orchestrate an aggressive and systematic approach that creates competition among interested and credible buyers. Underlying our methods are adherence to extensive industry research, in-depth due diligence, rigorous financial analysis and active transaction management while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality.
Here is an example of our approach and how we generate excellent results for clients. We marketed this company to a number of qualified parties, including strategic and private equity buyers, to create competition for our client’s business. We received the following range of bids. Note the differential between the high and low bids – quite significant.
Before we commenced marketing the business, our client was convinced that Buyer G would be the winner and pay the most. Ultimately, however, our client elected to close the deal with Buyer B at a 10% higher valuation than the initial bid, and higher than Buyer A’s final bid. The result: a much higher price and millions of additional dollars to our client.
As an owner, what if you had NOT created competition for your business and NOT fully tested the market? Or what if instead you had engaged in a direct, one-on-one negotiation with Buyer B or C or…? Regardless, you would not have determined the maximum value the market was willing to offer and most likely would have forfeited substantial value that otherwise would have been yours. And you would never know it. Further, without the leverage of having multiple bids, it would have been difficult to negotiate the best terms.
The example above is typical. Our approach and experience in managing the business sale process from A to Z not only ensures the best outcome for you, but it also enables management to focus on running the business while we focus on the transaction.
Our Method
-
Formulating a Plan to Improve the Odds of Success
Because selling a business is a complex process, having a plan in place prior to the undertaking dramatically improves the chances of a successful transaction and reduces the risk of the sale falling through and wasting a significant amount of time and resources. For most business owners, selling a business is something that happens only once in a lifetime, so it is important to do it right.
Over the years, pre-sale planning has increased deal proceeds by millions for our clients and has made it possible to close many complex transactions without costly delays and unnecessary risks.
From the outset, Wilcox Investment Bankers works with you to create a viable and executable sales plan. We help identify and articulate your goals and show you the available options to assure you make well-informed decisions. We surface issues before the sale process begins and craft creative solutions that enhance value and reduce surprises.
We create a customized marketing and sales plan. We then run an aggressive and systematic company sale process that creates a competitive market among multiple prospective qualified buyers. This approach ensures that we comprehensively test the market in order to find the right buyer, achieve your best financial outcome and satisfy your goals.
A plan to sell a business should include the following:
- Identify your goals to ensure they are realistic and achievable.
Perform strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis to objectively assess the business and what drives value. - Ensure that the management team is capable and key managers are in place.
- Prepare a preliminary financial valuation of the business in order to ensure that valuation expectations are aligned with market realities.
- Conduct a thorough housekeeping. A buyer will send in its due diligence team to review and assess a number of matters: financial, tax, legal, insurance, assets, facilities, employment, customer, vendor and environmental. Better for us to deal with these proactively and get your business in order now instead of having to manage them during a transaction and risk the buyer uncovering issues that could imperil the deal.
- Obtain an accounting audit, or at a minimum, a sell-side quality of earnings report from a reputable third party well versed in transactional due diligence. The money and effort spent is returned in multiples.
- Prepare for how to deal with important transaction elements and terms. Common terms to consider include the tax consequences of selling assets vs. stock, non-compete agreements, indemnification, contracts with customers or vendors, intellectual property issues, and the retention of key employees.
- Identify your goals to ensure they are realistic and achievable.
-
Executing a Sale to Achieve Superior Results
Wilcox Investment Bankers delivers superior results by carefully defining your goals, aggressively marketing the business, developing a competitive environment among buyers and creatively negotiating and closing the transaction at the best possible terms and highest price. Our objective is simple - create a competitive bidding environment among qualified buyers, which ensures you obtain a true market test for the business, puts the negotiating leverage in our hands and delivers multiple good options.
Our experience in managing the business sale process from A to Z not only ensures the best outcome for you, but it also enables management to focus on running the business while we focus on the transaction.
A typical business sale takes six to eight months and can be described in three phases...
Phase 1: Deal Preparation
This phase begins with identifying your goals and business attributes. Based on these discussions and the review of relevant due diligence materials, we prepare a comprehensive descriptive informational memorandum that tells a compelling story about the business highlighting the important attributes, value creators, potential buyer synergies and investment points. Also included in the memorandum is a recast set of historical financial statements and credible financial projections to demonstrate the company’s earnings and cash flow power.
Simultaneously, we research the company’s market and competitive environment to determine the most logical set of qualified potential buyers. We then go a step further and identify a number of less obvious buyers, which may pay a premium in order to move into a new market, pick up valuable market share or acquire a new technology.
Phase 2: Sales & Marketing
In this phase, we approach pre-screened prospective buyers, ensure confidentiality agreements are in place, and provide the descriptive informational memorandum to interested parties. We answer questions and respond to data requests and facilitate all communication and information flow with prospective buyers. We also coordinate and host client site tours and meetings.
Phase 3: Transaction Execution
During this phase, we negotiate the deal price and terms, providing justification for a premium valuation. We assist you in deciding the ultimate buyer and work with the buyer and its due diligence team to fulfill data requests and manage on-site visits. We work with each party’s legal counsel to negotiate legal documents and assist in driving toward the final closing.
-
Corporate Divestitures to Increase Shareholder Value
Wilcox Investment Bankers also provides divestiture services for public and private corporations, boards of directors, and special committees. The spin-off or divestiture of non-core assets and corporate divisions is a valuable option for increasing liquidity and improving long-term shareholder value. We work with you to formulate a customized sales plan to achieve the best solution. Our hands-on approach makes it possible for the business unit to continue operating with minimum distraction during the sale process, providing your organization with the manpower and resources to navigate the due diligence process and guide the transaction to a successful closing.
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How Can We Help You?
Call us:
(972) 691-2080
Or fill out our form
Exit: Selling Your Business For Maximum Price
Download our free booklet that answers 7 key questions that owners should consider before selling their business.
Trusted Merger & Acquisition Advisor
Your business is unique. It represents your life's work. And pursuing a merger or acquisition will be one of the most important transactions you will undertake. You need a M&A Advisor that understands your situation and can craft a customized solution that meets your financial and personal goals.
Whether you are looking to sell your business, merge, acquire another entity or recapitalize your business, we act as your advocate and trusted Dallas Merger and Acquisition Advisor. We manage the entire process. We guide you through the complexities of a transaction from A to Z. Our goal is to execute a transaction that achieves excellent results and meets your goals.
Sell-Side M&A: We Maximize Your Business Value
Has a strategic buyer, competitor or private equity firm approached you about buying your business? Are you considering how to exit or obtain liquidity for your business? Are you wondering if the time is right to seek a buyer?
We specialize in selling middle-market commercial and industrial companies. Clients are generally owners of companies with $15 - $250 million in revenue who desire to explore an exit or liquidity event, such as a company sale, divestiture or recapitalization. No matter which situation you are in, Wilcox Investment Bankers’ guidance and advocacy can dramatically increase your odds of success and maximize the value you receive.
Routinely, our clients close their deal at a higher value and with better terms than what they expected. Additionally, clients have the peace of mind and confidence knowing they have approached their transaction professionally and prudently, having done the right thing for their family, company, employees, and customers.
We Create Competition: More Buyers, More Bids and a Higher Price
Our approach ensures you achieve the highest price, multiple strategic options and the best deal terms possible. We customize each engagement according to your financial situation, goals and capital market possibilities. We advantageously position your business and orchestrate an aggressive and systematic approach that creates competition among interested and credible buyers. Underlying our methods are adherence to extensive industry research, in-depth due diligence, rigorous financial analysis and active transaction management while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality.
Here is an example of our approach and how we generate excellent results for clients. We marketed this company to a number of qualified parties, including strategic and private equity buyers, to create competition for our client’s business. We received the following range of bids. Note the differential between the high and low bids – quite significant.
Before we commenced marketing the business, our client was convinced that Buyer G would be the winner and pay the most. Ultimately, however, our client elected to close the deal with Buyer B at a 10% higher valuation than the initial bid, and higher than Buyer A’s final bid. The result: a much higher price and millions of additional dollars to our client.
As an owner, what if you had NOT created competition for your business and NOT fully tested the market? Or what if instead you had engaged in a direct, one-on-one negotiation with Buyer B or C or…? Regardless, you would not have determined the maximum value the market was willing to offer and most likely would have forfeited substantial value that otherwise would have been yours. And you would never know it. Further, without the leverage of having multiple bids, it would have been difficult to negotiate the best terms.
The example above is typical. Our approach and experience in managing the business sale process from A to Z not only ensures the best outcome for you, but it also enables management to focus on running the business while we focus on the transaction.
Our Method
-
Formulating a Plan to Improve the Odds of Success
Because selling a business is a complex process, having a plan in place prior to the undertaking dramatically improves the chances of a successful transaction and reduces the risk of the sale falling through and wasting a significant amount of time and resources. For most business owners, selling a business is something that happens only once in a lifetime, so it is important to do it right.
Over the years, pre-sale planning has increased deal proceeds by millions for our clients and has made it possible to close many complex transactions without costly delays and unnecessary risks.
From the outset, Wilcox Investment Bankers works with you to create a viable and executable sales plan. We help identify and articulate your goals and show you the available options to assure you make well-informed decisions. We surface issues before the sale process begins and craft creative solutions that enhance value and reduce surprises.
We create a customized marketing and sales plan. We then run an aggressive and systematic company sale process that creates a competitive market among multiple prospective qualified buyers. This approach ensures that we comprehensively test the market in order to find the right buyer, achieve your best financial outcome and satisfy your goals.
A plan to sell a business should include the following:
- Identify your goals to ensure they are realistic and achievable.
Perform strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis to objectively assess the business and what drives value. - Ensure that the management team is capable and key managers are in place.
- Prepare a preliminary financial valuation of the business in order to ensure that valuation expectations are aligned with market realities.
- Conduct a thorough housekeeping. A buyer will send in its due diligence team to review and assess a number of matters: financial, tax, legal, insurance, assets, facilities, employment, customer, vendor and environmental. Better for us to deal with these proactively and get your business in order now instead of having to manage them during a transaction and risk the buyer uncovering issues that could imperil the deal.
- Obtain an accounting audit, or at a minimum, a sell-side quality of earnings report from a reputable third party well versed in transactional due diligence. The money and effort spent is returned in multiples.
- Prepare for how to deal with important transaction elements and terms. Common terms to consider include the tax consequences of selling assets vs. stock, non-compete agreements, indemnification, contracts with customers or vendors, intellectual property issues, and the retention of key employees.
- Identify your goals to ensure they are realistic and achievable.
-
Executing a Sale to Achieve Superior Results
Wilcox Investment Bankers delivers superior results by carefully defining your goals, aggressively marketing the business, developing a competitive environment among buyers and creatively negotiating and closing the transaction at the best possible terms and highest price. Our objective is simple - create a competitive bidding environment among qualified buyers, which ensures you obtain a true market test for the business, puts the negotiating leverage in our hands and delivers multiple good options.
Our experience in managing the business sale process from A to Z not only ensures the best outcome for you, but it also enables management to focus on running the business while we focus on the transaction.
A typical business sale takes six to eight months and can be described in three phases...
Phase 1: Deal Preparation
This phase begins with identifying your goals and business attributes. Based on these discussions and the review of relevant due diligence materials, we prepare a comprehensive descriptive informational memorandum that tells a compelling story about the business highlighting the important attributes, value creators, potential buyer synergies and investment points. Also included in the memorandum is a recast set of historical financial statements and credible financial projections to demonstrate the company’s earnings and cash flow power.
Simultaneously, we research the company’s market and competitive environment to determine the most logical set of qualified potential buyers. We then go a step further and identify a number of less obvious buyers, which may pay a premium in order to move into a new market, pick up valuable market share or acquire a new technology.
Phase 2: Sales & Marketing
In this phase, we approach pre-screened prospective buyers, ensure confidentiality agreements are in place, and provide the descriptive informational memorandum to interested parties. We answer questions and respond to data requests and facilitate all communication and information flow with prospective buyers. We also coordinate and host client site tours and meetings.
Phase 3: Transaction Execution
During this phase, we negotiate the deal price and terms, providing justification for a premium valuation. We assist you in deciding the ultimate buyer and work with the buyer and its due diligence team to fulfill data requests and manage on-site visits. We work with each party’s legal counsel to negotiate legal documents and assist in driving toward the final closing.
-
Corporate Divestitures to Increase Shareholder Value
Wilcox Investment Bankers also provides divestiture services for public and private corporations, boards of directors, and special committees. The spin-off or divestiture of non-core assets and corporate divisions is a valuable option for increasing liquidity and improving long-term shareholder value. We work with you to formulate a customized sales plan to achieve the best solution. Our hands-on approach makes it possible for the business unit to continue operating with minimum distraction during the sale process, providing your organization with the manpower and resources to navigate the due diligence process and guide the transaction to a successful closing.
Buy Side M&A: Supporting You from Start to Finish
At Wilcox Investment Bankers, we help many clients sell their business, but we also advise those wanting to buy a business. Our buy-side M&A experience has given us the inherent knowledge and critical insights that come from sitting on both sides of the table; insights which serve to guide your business toward smart acquisitions and successful outcomes.
Buying a business is a complex undertaking, From uncovering unique targets that closely meet your key acquisition criteria to closing the deal, we facilitate your purchase process from start to finish. We help you:
- Find willing sellers and screen potential targets
- Evaluate the strategic benefits and understand the risks involved with buying a specific business
- Negotiate advantageous deal terms, transaction structure and valuation
- Assist in raising capital to support the acquisition
- Coordinate financial and operating due diligence
- Aid you in maintaining good relations with the seller, and
- Help overcome any sticking points that arise along the way to a successful closing
Executing a Business Acquisition
The Wilcox Investment Bankers process for executing an acquisition extends from the development of corporate strategy to the ultimate closing of a transaction. We analyze markets and recommend acquisition strategies most likely to maximize your shareholder value. We help you obtain additional capital if needed to finance your purchase. We undertake a comprehensive search to identify and contact acquisition candidates based on your strategic, operational and financial criteria, and we evaluate interested candidates to determine which opportunities should command your highest priority.
Once you express interest in a given target, we perform a thorough analysis of the business, its competitive position and future prospects, and we determine the value of the target – both to its current owner, and to you (making assumptions for certain synergies that you may realize in the acquisition). From drafting of the letter of intent to the closing, Wilcox Investment Bankers acts as your quarterback, moving the process forward to a successful closing.
Depending on your needs, we can act as your outsourced business development and acquisition team. We understand that sometimes you need an able and helping hand to run a thorough buy-side process. We save you the time and money involved with hiring a full-time business development team.
Acquisition Strategy and Buy-Side Business Search
If you want a big picture viewpoint before venturing into the acquisitions market, Wilcox Investment Bankers can provide valuable counsel. We identify and carefully analyze your potential acquisition options. We review strategic alternatives, size markets and business opportunities, and determine what type of business would add the most to your shareholder value. We determine the value and availability of potential acquisitions. With our unique combination of financial and operating experience, we are skilled at helping you develop viable acquisition strategies to assure you pay the right price for the right target company.
Financing the Acquisition
When you need additional capital to fund a business acquisition, Wilcox Investment Bankers helps you connect with and choose among the many sources of capital. We help you understand key capital market factors including current conditions in the debt and equity markets, the tradeoffs involved with debt or equity financing, and the appropriate valuation for the business you are acquiring. We access our extensive network of commercial banks, mezzanine lenders, high net worth investors, family offices, Business Development Companies and private equity funds to connect you with appropriate capital sources, and we guide you through the entire funding process.
Services
How Can We Help You?
Call us:
(972) 691-2080
Or fill out our form
Exit: Selling Your Business For Maximum Price
Download our free booklet that answers 7 key questions that owners should consider before selling their business.