Merger and Acquisition Services
Engaging Ken Wolff & Associates, LLP (KW&A) to assist in selling a privately held business accomplishes two important goals - improves the likelihood of a successful outcome and insures that a greater value is obtained. Past experience in helping numerous companies with the sale of their business, or in the divestiture of certain assets or divisions, provides clients with expertise and extensive industry contacts not available elsewhere. Additionally, KW&A has advised companies on a broad range of strategic acquisitions, mergers, and joint ventures as well as other business repositioning matters.
Selling a privately owned business is both an emotional and economical change in the lives of business owners. The motivation may occur for numerous reasons, including:
- No successor management within the family or company
- Death or disability of the owner or key manager
- Financial success and/or a desire to take economic gain "off the table"
- Inability to add necessary capital to the business
- Ownership fatigue or unwillingness to deal with current business challenges
- Personal or family related matters
Regardless of the factors behind a company's motivation to sell, the time period needed to negotiate and execute an ownership transition can be extraordinary stressful for those involved. KW&A professionals have extensive "hands on" experience as buyers, sellers, and advisors in a variety of transactions and can help sellers avoid the many pitfalls that exist in business ownership change situations.
Services included in KW&A's merger and acquisition engagement work typically involve many of the following:
- Assisting clients determine goals and requirements
- Assessing and prioritizing strategic options
- Valuing the business under varying scenarios
- Preparing a profile memoranda and related presentation material
- Conducting a confidential search for potential buyers
- Screening and qualifying prospective acquirers
- Evaluating the financial and non financial aspects of potential candidates
- Coordinating, assisting, and advising on due diligence issues
- Structuring potential transactions to meet the client's economic and tax needs
- Assisting in the financing arrangement
- Negotiating final terms and resolving issues of difference
- Closing the transaction
Past representation of both buyers and sellers in numerous merger and acquisition situations provides KW&A with the knowledge and industry contacts to effectively represent clients. Most importantly, the staff understands the critical timelines, confidentiality, and emotional issues that are typically associated with merger and acquisition transactions. Client issue identification is critical and KW&A focuses on putting client objectives and issues foremost on the bargaining table as its client's advocate.