Services:
Business Sales
Amalgam Corporate Finance offers a professional and comprehensive business sales service, starting from the moment the initial decision to explore the potential to when the sale is made, right through to completion, allowing the vendor to continue to focus on the day-to-day aspects of running the business. The experience of our professionals and the structured process that we adopt results in successful sales maximising the value of the business that the vendor has worked so long and hard for.
In particular, our business sales service incorporates the following:
Preparation of the Business for Sale
- Discuss requirements and assess business
- Guidance on and interactively agree approach for the sale
- Prime the business for sale
- Valuation of the business
- Research the market and identify potential purchasers
- Compilation of sales memorandum
Marketing the Business
- Marketing the business to potential buyers
- Dry run with client ahead of meetings with potential purchasers
- Liaison with potential purchasers and initial meetings
- Invitation of offers and control of the bidding process
Negotiation
- Receiving, analysing and responding to offers
- Negotiation with bidders to encourage the best deal structure & price
- Meeting with vendor to select preferred bidder
- Sign heads of agreement
Close
- Due diligence
- Agree legal documentation and final negotiations
- Completion
Amalgam Corporate Finance believes in effective project management to ensure a successful sale. We apply strict project management and reporting methods to ensure the goals and objectives are met on time and to the expected quality standard. By acting as partners throughout the life cycle, frequent interaction, full visibility of progress and the ability to make joint rather than isolated decisions is guaranteed.
Preparing your Business for Sale
Although the current economic climate may not provide ideal conditions for the sale of a business, it is a perfect time to start preparing a business to maximise the value of a sale in the future. Small changes can make a vital difference when it comes to selling a business. We will advise what buyers require when seeking an acquisition opportunity and suggest any necessary changes to help maximise selling potential, and importantly help maximise the price achieved. This involves identifying areas of potential weakness in the business and planned strategy, and providing advice on how such areas can be strengthened. This will incorporate operational, financial and personnel/management related issues. We also ensure that all legal, financial and intellectual property concerns are up to date.
MBOs/MBIs
Management buy-outs can be very rewarding for successful management teams, but the process is often time-consuming, technically complex and contains risk.
Amalgam Corporate Finance's experience of acquiring companies, structuring complex leveraged transactions and dealing with the providers of private equity and bank funding all come into play when advising a management buy-out team on the acquisition of their business. We endeavour to be as supportive as possible, taking as much of the strain as we can.
The service which we provide to management teams encompasses:
- helping to focus and refine the business plan and funding proposal
- evaluation of the likely funding requirements and the most appropriate sources of funding
- an introduction to several selected private equity providers and banks which specialise in funding leveraged transactions
- approaching and negotiating with the owners of the business and the chosen providers of debt and equity finance to structure the best deal possible
- co-ordinating the other professional advisers involved and, if necessary, helping to select other team members
Understanding the commercial reality of the situation and to ensure that our interests are firmly aligned with those of the management team, Amalgam Corporate Finance is paid typically on completion. Our focus is very clearly on project managing the transaction effectively and driving it to a successful completion within a suitable timescale.
We spend a great deal of time maintaining close relationships with the leading providers of private equity and leveraged debt funding to ensure that we are aware of their current focus (e.g. sector preference and transaction size) and to know the personalities involved. This understanding is important when trying to match the funding requirements of a business or transaction to the many sources available.
Business Acquisitions
Acquisitions can be one of the most effective ways to grow a business, but can be time consuming leading to resources being taken away from the core business. The potential cost, including that of wasted opportunities could be significant if appropriate planning and information gathering is not performed.
Our business acquisitions service includes:
- Identify targets and “opening doors”
- Financial and taxation due diligence
- Assistance with negotiations
- Advice on deal structure
- Steering the acquisition to a successful completion
Raising Finance
To aid a business acquisition, an MBO/MBI, or to enable a business to grow organically, additional finance is often required. Our support includes assistance with the preparation of forecasts, the broader business plan and grant and specific funding application requests. We will also support the business in its discussions and presentations with banks and other funding sources.
As well as debt finance, including short term bridging finance, we can also help to raise equity finance and are able to advise on raising funds on the PLUS market.