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The M&A Front
Mergers, Acquisitions, & Enhancing Your Business
April 2008
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in this issue
-Letter from Managing Principal Mark Jordan
-IPO Slowdown - Good or Bad for the Middle Market?
-European Buyers - Coming to Your Neighborhood?
-VERCOR Bolsters Its Team With Syracuse-Based Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor

VERCOR is a middle market investment bank with a proven record for success, confidentiality, and integrity. Our mission is to provide global resources and results in the facilitation of business sales, mergers, and acquisitions. We focus on deals ranging from 10 million to 100 million in value.


Letter from Managing Partner Mark Jordan
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I was featured in a three-part series in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on mergers and acquisitions. The articles are "must read" pieces for any business executive in the middle market. Here are some of my main points and a link to the articles.

Integrating Two Cultures
 Marrying corporate cultures is just as important as agreeing on the financial elements of a deal - more so when you consider that the deal is a permanent joining of two entities. When considering possible buyers, look for ones with cultures that are in alignment with yours. Communication with your employees before, during and after the transaction will also ease any trepidation to oncoming change. To read the Atlanta Business Chronicle article, "The Clash," and learn more about merging corporate cultures, click here.

Seeing the Big Picture in Negotiations
 The greatest asset of engaging the services of an experienced advisor, dealmaking attorney and accountant is not only their expertise at handling the intricacies of a transaction; vetted professionals are able to keep your eyes (and theirs) on the ball throughout the negotiation process. The back and forth process of negotiation can easily entangle buyers and sellers. Trust is easily lost. Your team, your advisor in particular, must make sure that you do not lose sight of the end prize - getting the deal done. For more information, read the article, "At the Table," here.

The article series kicked off with "Exit Plan," which discusses the work that goes into just making the decision to sell or merge a business. For months now, I have written about the importance of communication, planning and growing your business. I would be remised if I did not stress the importance exit planning. You have put a lot into your company. The growth and effort is meaningless if you have an ill- timed exit. I encourage you to read the articles. Once the thought of selling your business creeps into your mind, only consider competent advisors that guide throughout the entire process.

Sincerely,

Mark Jordan
mark@vercoradvisor.com

P.S. If you are thinking about selling your business, give me a call on my direct line at 770-399-9512. You will not find a middle market investment bank that can devote the time, expertise and resources to executing a successful transaction like VERCOR.


IPO Slowdown - Good or Bad for the Middle Market?
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 The first quarter of 2008 witnessed a drastic slowdown in IPO offerings. Data from Thomson Financials indicates a massive reduction of 46.1 per cent in US IPO proceeds. The study also points to a 15 per cent drop in IPO volume for January 2008. Further painting a bleak picture is IPO proceeds worth $6.3 billion fading away from the global market owing to withdrawal of 21 IPOs in January 2008. This figure is significantly three times higher than what it was for December 2007 when only 16 IPOs collectively valued at $2.1 billion were withdrawn.

More...


European Buyers - Coming to Your Neighborhood?
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 The US dollar has been steadily decreasing since the IT bubble burst at the beginning of this century. The decline recently was quite sharp raising many issues and bringing with it market instability the world over. While the general sentiment following the depreciation of dollar is that of uncertainty, many have benefited from the weakening of the mighty dollar. The enhanced affordability of the US dollar has increased the buying power of global businesses with the result that anybody who wanted to have a piece of American pie now has their shot. Not only has the import of US goods become less expensive, but also it is now cheaper to invest in the infrastructure required to set up a company in the US. It is not surprising then that European countries too have joined the bandwagon. European buyers are busy identifying suitable assets in the US and consolidating them faster than ever before.

Read on...

 


VERCOR Bolsters Its Team With Syracuse-Based Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor
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 Middle market investment bank, VERCOR, bolstered its team with the addition of Chris Jankowski. The Syracuse-based dealmaker brings to VERCOR 30 years of experience in deal making and business ownership. The addition brings the total number of VERCOR offices to 15 worldwide. Prior to establishing his mergers and acquisitions practice, Jankowski owned several small businesses, which provided him with a "hands-on" view of all aspects of business ownership. Gaining deal making experience and a knowledge of owners and buyers' psychology led him to the commercial real estate world, where he brokered and financed large investment real estate transactions and participated in real estate development projects. "There is no doubt that Chris' experience as a principal gives him a deep empathy for business owners who are buyer or selling a business. We are excited that he is joining our team," stated VERCOR's Managing Principal, Mark Jordan. Jankowski provides unsurpassed total transaction services to the buyer and seller marketplace. He leverages his knowledge, experience and VERCOR resources and methodologies to create a holistic solution for his clients. "Within minutes into my first discussion with VERCOR, I knew I had finally found the mergers and acquisitions group I had been looking for all along," said Jankowski adding, "There is simply no one in the middle market space that provides the total package for their clients like VERCOR".

 

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Mark Jordan
Managing Partner
5590 Bunky Way
Atlanta, GA 30338
770-399-9512
mark@vercoradvisor.com

Quick Links...
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  • Our Website
  • VERCOR Publications
  • VERCOR Professionals
  • VERCOR Advantage Movie
  • What is the underlying reason a potential buyer would look to buy your company? Read VERCOR's
    Report, "Prepare to Exit Your Business."


    • Contact Information
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    phone: 770 399-9512