Acquisitions – buying a business

For an acquisition to add value to shareholders, it is vital to look beneath the surface. Our team at WMT will provide you with the strategic acquisition advice and the practical support you need to protect your existing business during the purchase process and ensure that the acquisition has a positive impact.

Why buy a business?

Buying a business can allow you to:

• Expand rapidly
• Access new markets, products & geographical locations
• Remove a competitor
• Secure continuity of supply
• Gain critical mass

Before you acquire a new business you should be sure it will deliver the hoped-for advantages.

The acquisition process

We have worked on acquisitions of profitable well-run businesses as well as those in distress, in a wide range of sectors. Our expert guidance and support will be there for you every step of the way, as we will:

Understand your goals, to clarify what you want the acquisition to achieve for your business.

Conduct extensive market research to identify suitable targets. We have strong connections with business brokers and other corporate advisers, as well as our own market intelligence on businesses available for sale.

Approach potential vendors discreetly to maintain your anonymity in the early stages of the potential acquisition.

Advise on a fair price for the target business and negotiate terms with the vendor.

Conduct due diligence on the target and manage any conflicts of interest that arise.

Raise the finance for completing the acquisition from our well-connected funders such as asset backed lenders (ABLs), banks, venture capitalists, private equity houses, high net worth individuals and crowdfunding.

Advise on the integration of your acquisition into your existing business, such as reviewing your group structure, adapting financial forecasts and management reports as well as assisting with employment considerations relating to pay and incentives.

Prepare completion accounts once the deal has closed, to assess the working capital available and confirm the final payment to the vendor.

We also work on trade disposals, giving us an understanding of the psychology of the other side which goes a long way to securing a successful deal for a buyer.

Get in touch with our corporate finance team to find out more about how we can help you add value to your business with an acquisition.