Should You Sell Your Company to a Private Equity Firm?
I am often asked by owners in the electronics industry about using private equity (PE) firms as potential buyers. It’s true that PE firms have completed a lot of deals in the PCB and EMS industries over the years. In... Read More →
Breaking Down Legal Preparations for M&A
When owners prepare for to sell, the only legal advice I ever give is for them to get a good M&A lawyer, but here are some general things owners should consider. First, get a good M&A lawyer. If your long-term... Read More →
Breaking Out of the Valuation Box
Many manufacturing companies are in a “valuation box.” That is, the value of the company, based on a market multiple, is not equal to the value of the assets. Or worse, once debt is paid off, the net proceeds would... Read More →
What Do Buyers Expect?
For sellers, the whole process is relatively simple: They may say it’s not just about the money, but in truth, it is. Sellers also want a quick process, most of their money upfront, and a reasonable expectation that any deferred... Read More →
How to Choose the Right Buyer
Choosing the right buyer is more difficult than you might think. It would be easy to say that a seller should just choose the deal with the highest offer, but there are many other considerations. Usually, a seller initially signs... Read More →
The Power of Projections
We are headed toward that time of year many of us dread—budgeting for the next year. This budgeting process becomes a huge tug-of-war because there is a lot at stake in terms of resources, bonuses, and pride. Unfortunately, many companies... Read More →
How to Announce a Deal
Congrats! You’ve sold your company, and now it’s time to celebrate by making an announcement—from the beach, golf course, or the deck of a round-the-world cruise, right? In fact, it really is better if the announcement has some careful thought... Read More →
With M&A Deals, Timing is Everything
Business owners frequently ask whether the time is right to sell their business. Timing can make all the difference in getting a premium value for your business. If all signs are positive, more buyers will be interested, investors and lenders... Read More →
Seven Drivers of Market Success
Throughout my years in electronics M&A, I have seen some companies succeed and others fail. A variety of factors determine the success of a company, from great leadership to a strong corporate culture and luck. I define a successful company... Read More →
Selling a Business vs. Selling a Product
Over the years, you became an expert at selling products, so much so that it became second nature. Now it is time to sell the business, and suddenly you feel uncomfortable. Many owners become educated by experiencing one or more... Read More →