Acquisitions & Acquisition Searches

Mergers and acquisitions are complex transactions requiring experienced and professional handling for both buyers and sellers. Amvest represents private and publicly held companies, investment groups and management groups in making acquisitions.

Amvest represents sellers and buyers, so we generally represent a number of high quality acquisition prospects. These companies are available without fees or obligation from the buyer since we are retained by and represent the sellers.

Amvest often becomes aware of companies open to being acquired during an acquisition search for one of our clients. These companies are not actively on the market and have not engaged Amvest to represent them. In these cases, Amvest requires the buyer to execute a buyer paid fee agreement.

Amvest is often engaged to represent corporate buyers, investment groups and their portfolio companies in acquiring one or several companies to either merge into an existing operation or to complement existing products and services, as a part of a diversification plan or industry consolidation effort.

Our involvement is tailored to the specific needs of our clients and may include any combination of services from contacting an identified target to acting as an "in-house" acquisition department handling all merger and acquisition related matters.

Amvest provides both PROACTIVE and PASSIVE searches.

Amvest’s PASSIVE searches are generally confined to the following and require a buyer paid fee agreement:

• Search our extensive seller database for matching criteria
• Search various internet sites
• Post your acquisition criteria on several internet sites
• List your acquisition criteria in widely circulated M & A publications
• Maintain a lookout for companies meeting your acquisition criteria
• Contact our affiliates around the country

Amvest’s PROACTIVE search is more aggressive and retainer-based, with the retainer generally being credited against our success fee.

Our goal is to provide as much proprietary deal flow as possible (acquisition targets that are not on the market or represented by another firm).

Are you prepared to make an acquisition? Everyone including company owners, boards and senior management must be committed to making the acquisition. Will you have the management resources both during and after the acquisition? Are financial resources adequate? Have financing sources been apprised of your intentions?

Some of the services Amvest provides are as follows:

• Devise an ongoing merger and/or acquisition program
• Establish the criteria for an acquisition search
• Prepare a profile of the client’s background, business and financial information
• Provide anonymity for the buy-side client, if desired
• Identify, approach and screen prospective candidates
• Gather financial, operational and other information on possible candidates
• Assist in evaluating selected acquisition candidates and the soundness of the prospective business acquisition or combination
• Assist in establishing the best structure and terms for the transaction
• Participate in the resolution of legal, tax and transaction problems
• Assist in the negotiation of a final definitive purchase agreement
• Assist in obtaining acquisition financing, if necessary
• On mergers - advise on integration of the operations
• On acquisitions - advise in areas of strategic planning and improvements in profitability
• Work with your staff and professional advisors as an integral acquisition team member
• Make your criteria known to investment bankers and business intermediaries

Remaining anonymous can often be crucial to the search process, especially if your target is a competitor or if the purchase price could be inflated if the name of the acquirer were known.

Amvest is often brought in after an acquisition target has been identified to act as the acquirer’s representative in negotiations and to coordinate the acquisition through closing.

Amvest performs the search allowing you to manage your business.