After receiving a number of unsolicited approaches from trade buyers, the shareholders of the business decided it was time to sell the company and realise their investment. One shareholder/director wished to remain with the business post sale and grow it further but did not want to risk their equity investment hence the reason for the sale.

Whilst the shareholders had made the decision to sell the business, they did not know who would be interested in acquiring them.

The shareholders required advisers to identify buyers and manage the online sales process on their behalf.

Prior to commencing the sales process we undertook a full strategic review of the company’s operations, this highlighted a number of areas that needed addressing prior to commencing the sales process.

We devised solutions that addressed each of the issues which were successfully implemented. Six months after this period, the sales process commenced.

The strategic review highlighted significant growth potential in the company in both the home and export markets. It was therefore likely the buyer would have been a large international trade player.

Our market research identified large buyers throughout Europe and North America. Each buyer was contacted and received a copy of the Information Memorandum that we had prepared; obviously this was released once confidentiality agreements had been executed.

A number of meetings ensued; we chaired all meetings to ensure they were as productive as possible and focussed on the key areas of the business.

From the offers received, a single party was selected and invited to carry out due diligence whilst lawyers prepared contracts.

The company was acquired by a large overseas corporation. The shareholder who remained with the business is now in charge of the entire UK operation and is tasked with growing the business.

Through careful planning at the outset of the engagement, proceeds in excess of the vendor’s expectations were achieved.