Experts at Buying and Selling Companies

Our approach to M&A Advisory assignments is based on creating value for our clients.  Whether you are buying or selling, a successful M&A Advisory transaction requires a thorough understanding of the factors which impact value and the markets which determine your alternatives.  You also need sound advice to navigate the issues encountered during a transaction.  Cleary Gull's professionals possess a thorough knowledge of the M&A markets.  We have successfully completed transactions in both good and bad markets.

An important part of our business is maintaining our network of extensive relationships with strategic and institutional buyers.  Unlike most investment bankers serving the middle market, the broad backgrounds of our professionals, along with our extensive transaction experience, bring creative dealmaking and an unrivaled perspective to the legal, tax and accounting ramifications of a transaction.

Representing Sellers

Cleary Gull has extensive experience advising business owners in connection with the sale of their businesses.  Each sell-side assignment is unique and tailored to the client's needs but generally involves the following steps:

• Developing a thorough understanding of objectives, valuation and relevant market conditions, including:
  • Assessing strengths and weaknesses
  • Analyzing historical and projected financial performance
  • Reviewing operations and management structure
  • Researching industry trends and key competitors

• Preparing a customized marketing strategy, including:
  • Determining the proper positioning to tell the best story
  • Developing appropriate marketing materials
  • Identifying potential buyers or investors

• Creating a competitive process, including:
  • Contacting qualified buyers with personalized, CEO-level contacts
  • Tightly managing a well-structured and disciplined process
  • Managing the element of time to maximize leverage

• Executing with relentless follow-through, including:
  • Developing all relevant alternatives for simultaneous consideration
  • Analyzing both value and probability
  • Recommending a course of action
  • Negotiating terms and conditions of the transaction

Representing Buyers

Cleary Gull assists buyers in the execution of targeted acquisitions. Our extensive sell-side experience provides valuable insight from the other side of the negotiating table and is an invaluable asset in the execution of buy-side assignments.  Each transaction is unique and tailored to the client but generally involves the following steps:

• Developing a thorough understanding of objectives, valuation and relevant market conditions, including:
  • Assessing strengths and weaknesses
  • Analyzing historical and projected financial performance
  • Reviewing operations and management structure
  • Researching industry trends and key competitors

• Initiating contact with the target, including:
  • Meeting with management
  • Evaluating potential synergies
  • Preparing a comprehensive valuation analysis
  • Conducting a detailed due diligence investigation

• Negotiating and structuring the terms, including:
  • Raising acquisition financing to complete transaction

Contact our senior professionals to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals.