SELLING PRIVATELY HELD COMPANIES

Selling a business is a major step requiring planning, timing and special skills. Every business is unique, and Amvest professionals have the experience to guide our clients from pre-sale positioning to maximize the selling price through negotiations, deal structuring and closing.

There are many reasons for selling a business, including estate planning and succession planning to allow an owner to take cash out for retirement purposes. An owner may decide his interests have changed, to pursue other interests or the business may have problems the owners are not prepared to deal with. Whatever the reason, Amvest can assist owners with the successful transfer, whether to an outside buyer, management group or other family members.

Since the average owner of a business will only sell a company once in a lifetime and the average buyer will buy several companies, the seller is often at a significant disadvantage. Our expertise and resources mitigate this disadvantage.

In cooperation with our client, we develop an approach that fits the situation or business. The following are some of the services we provide:

• Evaluate your business and your goals

• Determine the value of the business and a realistic price expectation

• Assist in positioning your business for sale

• Develop a marketing plan

• Recast the financial statements indicating the real cash flow available to a new owner

• Prepare an offering memorandum

• Identify and qualify prospective buyers

• Review letters of intent and determining the best offer (which may not be the highest)

• Assist in negotiations and suggesting alternative deal structures if appropriate

• Participate in the resolution of legal, tax and transaction problems

• Work with the client and staff to expedite the transaction

• Assist the buyer in obtaining financing, if necessary

• Guide the transaction to a successful conclusion

Finding motivated parties - Because of our long standing involvement in selling privately held companies, Amvest continually receives requests for companies meeting specific criteria from motivated buyers. In addition, we work with other investment bankers and business intermediaries to identify possible buyers.

Benefits of using Amvest - Amvest has developed proven methods to market any company to prospective buyers. Our industry research and analysis assists in pricing a business and determining a profile of possible buyers. Our mission is to sell your business while you concentrate on running the business.

Selling a business you started or built over the years is a personal and emotional decision. Amvest professionals understand because it is a process personally experienced.

Most importantly, we may already have a qualified buyer waiting for your company. Good companies are seldom publicly advertised for sale.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SELL A COMPANY?

Company owners often ask themselves, "When is the best time to sell?" Sometimes the answer is simple; however, often times it is not. Owners have many reasons to sell including:

• Retirement

• Health

• Focus on core business 

• Other business interests

• Financial reasons

• Industry considerations

• Consolidating industry

• Estate planning

• Diversify investments

• Portfolio exit strategy

Regardless of the reason, the very best time to sell from an economic perspective is when the company is profitable and growing. Ideally there should be several previous years of growing earnings and sales and years of growth ahead to offer future upside for a new owner.