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Worldwide mergers and acquisition activity will hit £2.4 trillion ($3.2 trillion) next year, as deal-making is elevated on an increasing global economic tide, according to recent forecasts. Investors are feeling “increasingly confident” due to a spike in global trade and GDP development across most of the world, according to research by law firm Baker McKenzie and consultants Oxford Economics. 2018 will mark a “cyclical peak” for numerous macroeconomic and financial deal drivers,… Read More
A recent article in the Harvard Business Review made a perhaps surprising conjecture: that as far as mergers and acquisitions are concerned, those companies that focus on what they’re going to get from an acquisition are less likely to succeed, in terms of the deal outcomes, than those companies that focus on what they can give to the process. Acquiring companies being in ‘take’ mode was a dangerous place to be, it claimed…. Read More
Benchmark International is pleased to announce that a deal between Sui Generis Holdings Limited to Milbank Concrete Products Limited has been agreed. Sui Generis Holdings Limited was established in 1996 with the intention to specialise in bespoke fibreglass mouldings. However, at any stage the versatility, robustness and consequent massive potential of fibreglass was recognised and gradual progression has seen the company become experts in a wide variety of fibreglass applications including Fibreglass… Read More
We’ve recently been seeing at first hand the rise in medical and healthcare sector mergers and acquisitions both domestically and internationally, with Dublin-based Clanwilliam Group’s synergetic acquisition of Cheshire-based NHS technology provider Medisec (brokered by Benchmark International) the most recent example. Greater private sector involvement in the NHS has long been predicted thanks to a competition-opening process begun way back by the Blair administration and further strengthened by the Health and Social… Read More
Benchmark International is pleased to announce that a deal between Levy Brothers & Knowles Limited (LBK) to NNZ has been agreed. LBK Packaging has been established since 1831 and as one of the UK’s leading independent packaging suppliers, they offer a full range of flexible packaging products from their bases in Liverpool and Glasgow. LBK’s packaging is compliant with all EU food packaging regulations, and their experienced sales team is always on… Read More
‘Green-washing’ is pretty much endemic in the business world, with every company worth its salt aiming to showcase its environmental credentials, whether rightfully or as a PR exercise. But environmental factors can be absolutely crucial in mergers and acquisitions, and can make or break some deals. Buyers are right to carefully consider any potential environmental issues that the target company might face, and in some sectors this can be key. Here’s our… Read More
Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Topcrete Limited (inc Allen Concrete Limited) to SigmaRoc for a total deal value of £17.1m (including assets extracted by the sellers totalling £4.6m. SigmaRoc Plc is an AIM listed company that invests in and operates new and existing construction material assets, in places where opportunity is greatest. Chairman David Barrett said: “We are very pleased to welcome Allen Concrete to the SigmaRoc… Read More
In a much-talked-about piece in the New York Times recently, Hernan Cristerna, Co-Head of Global M&A at JP Morgan Chase, diagnosed the global mergers and acquisitions market as alive and very much kicking – in spite of ongoing Brexit anxieties and considerable political uncertainty around the Trump administration. Cross-border European-US transactions have already increased by over 80% this year, with some truly blockbuster deals counting among them such as Johnson & Johnson’s… Read More
Benchmark International is pleased to announce that after an exciting year of growth, we are expanding our international reach to Ireland. The news comes after our recent announcement that Benchmark International will have a presence in South Africa, with the opening of our new Cape Town offices. Ireland has witnessed a staggering economic turnaround as of late, with unemployment being dramatically slashed and the Bank of Ireland forecasting GDP growth of 4.8%… Read More
Benchmark International is pleased to announce the sale of Furlong Business Solutions to Volaris Group. Furlong is a unique Management Information System provider in the UK, working with schools across the world. Whether you’re looking to improve access to data, consolidate many disparate systems or improve parental engagement, they can help. More than 285 schools worldwide trust Furlong software products, they provide comprehensive management information solutions. Furlong aim to be a valued… Read More
Irrespective of the outcome and the eventual deal Britain strikes with the EU, there will be greater uncertainty for businesses in the near-term. So what and how will this affect the M&A sector? History shows us that turbulent times economically, politically and socially produce a short term drop in investment and a period of re-appraisal, followed not so remarkably by a resumption in activity. With interest rates low – and set to… Read More
It seems as though every other day, the headlines announce a new acquisition among major retailers. The giants in the industry are diversifying their products, sucking up more stock, and building mighty kingdoms that boutique and small business owners can’t even throw stones at. How can these smaller businesses possibly compete? First, take a look at what’s happening… It was recently announced that Michael Kors would acquire the Jimmy Choo brand for $1.17 billion…. Read More
Disclosure schedules are an integral part of any merger or acquisition (M&A) transaction. They contain information required by the acquisition agreement—typically a listing of important contracts, intellectual property, employee information, and other materials as well as exceptions or qualifications to the detailed representations and warranties of the selling company contained in the acquisition agreement. An incorrect or incomplete disclosure schedule could result in a breach of the acquisition agreement and possible significant… Read More
Timing is, without doubt, one of the most critical factors in mergers and acquisitions; a recent report found that it is, in fact, the single most reliable predictor in terms of creating real shareholder value. But why is timing so crucial? Think Macro! Acquiring a company is a risk that’s ultimately taken based on the health or otherwise of economies – and we’re talking about macro-economies here, looking way beyond the company… Read More
ROC Northwest are a residential care, domiciliary care and educational care service provider for young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, learning, physical disabilities and complex needs with associated challenging behaviour and young people with SEBD. Community inclusion and participation enhance and enrich young people’s lives both educationally and socially. ROC offer exceptional, individual quality environments that put young people at the centre of the programmes they operate. Speaking about the deal, Benchmark… Read More
Entrepreneurs, by nature, are people who spend a considerable amount of time looking for the next opportunity. And for them, ‘the next opportunity’ often includes a suitable time to sell their company. But what, practically, are the most common reasons for sale? 1. Business Value vs Liquidity Getting hold of liquidity in your company is a valuable opportunity, because while there is always value in a business, there is no real liquidity… Read More
French rental car company, Europcar has made its fourth acquisition of the year in the form of Europe’s largest low-cost car rental agency, Goldcar. Europcar announced in December that it was looking to spend up to €500 million on franchised companies, car sharing services or local rivals within the car rental sector in order to achieve its ambitious growth targets and remain competitive. Caroline Parot, Europcar chief executive, commented that the acquisition… Read More
Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given the go-ahead for the £11 billion merger of Scotland-based asset management companies Standard Life and Aberdeen Asset Management. Stating that it had decided not to refer the merger to a second phase in-depth investigation, the CMA has made way for the formation of Europe’s second largest fund manager and a global top 25 player, with £660 billion assets under management. The CMA began a… Read More
Benchmark International is proud to announce that it has, once again, been named ‘International Mid-Market Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year’ at the annual ACQ Global Awards. This is an especially proud moment for Benchmark International as it marks the third time that it has secured this prestigious award, having previously won in 2014 and 2015. Since 2006, the ACQ Global Awards have celebrated the achievements, innovation and brilliance of industry leaders,… Read More
A Manchester-based M&A specialist has expanded into South Africa with the opening of an office in Cape Town. Benchmark International already has a significant presence in both the UK and North America, with its original Manchester base having been joined by offices in Oxford, New York, Tampa, Austin and Nashville. Its Cape Town office will be headed up by Andre Bresler and Dustin Graham. Bresler, South Africa managing director, said: “This is a… Read More