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May 21, 2020
Buyers are eager, sellers hesitate says Vincent J. Garozzo
Vincent J. Garozzo, of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale P.C., talks deal flow, the seller mindset and the position of capital institutions....
By Adam Burroughs
May 15, 2020
iPipeline’s CEO Larry Berran sees M&A opportunity, but also caution
iPipeline CEO Larry Berran offers his take on M&A in a market covered by a fog of uncertainty and how being a portfolio company has affected his company's approach to dealmaking....
By Adam Burroughs
March 19, 2020
Chip McClure: Dealmaking Can Open The Door To New, Innovative Business Opportunities
Discipline is a crucial component to being an effective dealmaker, says Michigan Capital Advisors’ Chip McClure....
By Mark Scott
March 13, 2020
Premise Health CEO Stuart Clark on what derails a deal
“We have a saying around the office: Fall seven times, stand up eight,” says Premise Health CEO Stuart Clark. “And I think it applies to deals.”...
By Adam Burroughs
March 12, 2020
Jill Arena: Struggling To Find The Right Deal Partner? Take A Deeper Look At Your Process
If you can’t make a good case for an acquisition, it’s going to be difficult to make the right deal, says Jill Arena....
By Mark Scott
March 5, 2020
PeopleShare co-founder Ryan Clark on acquisitions, lessons learned
When PeopleShare, through organic growth, hit a comfortable revenue number, CEO Ryan Clark began to wonder how big the staffing firm could get. That’s when acquisition, and a private equity recapitalization, became real and viable options....
By Adam Burroughs
February 27, 2020
Oswald’s Robert J. Klonk: Culture, Employee-Owners Drive Firm’s Opportunistic Approach To Dealmaking
Acquisitions create opportunity for Oswald Cos., as well as the companies the business pursues for a deal, says Robert J. Klonk....
By Mark Scott
February 20, 2020
TMA’s Scott Y. Stuart: Tips For Navigating The Risky World Of Distressed Investments
As you consider investing in or buying a company that is in a tough spot, you need to be honest about the situation....
By Mark Scott
February 13, 2020
At Gateway Blend, Kasey Grelle digs in to acquisitions
With Kasey Grelle at the helm of digital media company Gateway Blend — which owns and operates a portfolio of more than 14 websites that each month reach more than 120 million users — the company has a CEO ready to roll up her sleeves when it comes to acquisitions....
By Adam Burroughs
January 23, 2020
Frontenac’s Ronald W. Kuehl: Find Ways To Create Value, Then Execute Your Plan
Frontenac's Ronald W. Kuehl focuses on investments in the commercial, industrial and business service sectors, using a mix of patience and urgency to find good deal opportunities....
By Mark Scott
January 16, 2020
Andrew J. Goldberg: Why A ‘Pre-Mortem’ Is A Useful Tool In Dealmaking
When you think about everything that can go wrong in a deal, it gives you a better chance at doing it right, says Andrew J. Goldberg....
By Mark Scott
January 16, 2020
LFM’s Steve Cook Assesses Deals Like An Operator
LFM Capital's Steve Cook talks about what he looks for in a deal and how a company that’s been prepped for a sale might not be it....
By Adam Burroughs
January 10, 2020
How HBM Works With CEOs To Spur Growth
Andrew Fulford discusses HBM Holdings' expectations for operators and their role in dealmaking....
By Adam Burroughs
January 9, 2020
Americaneagle.com’s Michael Svanascini: When Customer Acquisition Wins Out Over Cultural Fit
While cultural fit is often critical to achieving a successful acquisition, it’s not mandatory, says Americaneagle.com’s Michael Svanascini....
By Mark Scott
January 9, 2020
Rick Busby: Acquisition Gives The Rogers Co. A Foothold On The West Coast
When you take the long view in a deal negotiation, you often come out ahead, says The Rogers Co.’s Risk Busby....
By Mark Scott
January 9, 2020
Baker Tilly’s Fred Massanova on not getting derailed by deal pace
Faster deal pace has led to shorter diligence processes at a time when that process has become more demanding. Baker Tilly's Fred Massanova offers a some advice for staying on track when buying a business....
By Adam Burroughs
January 7, 2020
MSA develops a better integration formula
Until a decade ago, MSA Safety hadn’t been very successful with its acquisitions. But that changed when the safety equipment manufacturer started taking an intentional approach to integration that's spearheaded by the right deal quarterback....
By Jayne Gest
January 2, 2020
John Cerasuolo turns ADS Security into the brand sellers can trust
The ADS Security CEO provides an inside look at the company's deal process, from the work of the internal team to how the company markets itself to potential sellers....
By Adam Burroughs
December 18, 2019
Hawthorne’s Katy Wiles: With the right process, buyers can minimize deal disruption
Katy Wiles has learned a thing or two about running an efficient deal process on the buy side. The lead attorney and legal adviser for Hawthorne Gardening Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Scotts Miracle-Gro., shares her take on creating a core team and how deal processes should work....
By Jayne Gest
December 12, 2019
Roll-Kraft’s Sanjay Singh: Find Deal Opportunities That Fit What You Want To Achieve
Dealmaking is a big part of Sanjay Singh’s life, both at Roll-Kraft and through his family office....
By Mark Scott
December 11, 2019
Jonathan Meltzer on leadership as a deal cornerstone
Here's some of what Jonathan Meltzer looks for in a buy-side opportunity to assure him he’s making the right investment....
By Adam Burroughs
December 4, 2019
How A Mix Of Persistence, Patience And Discipline Got Kelvin Squires A Great Deal
Kelvin Squires really wanted to buy Center Line Electric, but he was willing to walk away from the deal if he didn't get what he needed....
By Mark Scott
December 2, 2019
Process Control's Bill Morgan offers an M&A education to owner-operators
The way Bill Morgan sees it, he’s an operator, not an M&A guy. But the truth is, he’s both....
By Adam Burroughs
November 26, 2019
Target Data’s Ross Shelleman: Are You Ready To Make A Deal?
Before you get into a deal, you need to figure out if you have a willing seller, says Target Data’s Ross Shelleman....
By Mark Scott
November 26, 2019
Hyland's Bill Priemer Uses A Methodical Approach To Identify M&A Targets
Hyland is a very acquisitive company, but it wasn’t always that way, says Bill Priemer, the software company’s president and CEO....
By Mark Scott
November 26, 2019
Hildred Capital Partners’ Andrew Goldman on creating connections and culture’s effect on deal price
Hildred Capital Partners' Andrew Goldman says investors and operators bring different experiences and perspectives to a relationship. And when the two come together and share their experiences through a productive dialogue, everyone benefits....
By Adam Burroughs
November 21, 2019
Fire-Dex’s Bill Burke: Acquisitions Provide Opportunities To Learn From Other Businesses
The four companies Fire-Dex has acquired in the past decade were good businesses. Bill Burke saw an opportunity to make them stellar....
By Mark Scott
November 19, 2019
Stadion Capital’s Michael Scott: You cannot outstructure a bad deal
When Michael Scott went out on his own in 2010, after more than 20 years of private equity and M&A experience, he knew there was no room for mistakes. That's why he looked for opportunities with a competitive advantage....
By Jayne Gest
November 14, 2019
Joseph D. Culley Jr. says post transaction, the clock is ticking on culture
Janney Montgomery Scott’s Joseph D. Culley Jr. says after a merger, companies need to quickly win on culture, otherwise your returns will suffer as people start to walk....
By Adam Burroughs
November 12, 2019
Falls’ Rob Falls: Merger With Wyse Provides Tools To Continue Growing, Evolving
Rob Falls needed to make an acquisition. When he found a peer in the Cleveland marketing industry who was looking to sell, he got to work negotiating a deal....
By Mark Scott
November 5, 2019
Confluence’s Mark Evans builds trust to gain backing to take over a larger company
Mark Evans has found transparency to be his most powerful tool when working with private equity owners. That's how he was able to convince his new PE firm to help Confluence buy the larger, publicly traded StatPro....
By Jayne Gest
November 1, 2019
It took some hard lessons for Bob Grote to learn the best way to acquire companies
Bob Grote has been CEO of Grote Co. for more than a decade, but even after five acquisitions, he has to guard against deal fever. Grote discusses deal challenges and lessons learned....
By Jayne Gest
October 30, 2019
Staffing Solutions’ SueAnn Naso: When Buying A Business, Take The Time To Do It Right
SueAnn Naso and Carmella Calta are good friends. But they still had to follow the proper steps when Calta sold her business, Staffing Solutions, to Naso....
By Mark Scott
October 30, 2019
Shore Capital Partners’ Justin Ishbia: Shared Vision Often Leads To Great Deal Opportunities
Shore Capital Partners's Justin Ishbia sees tremendous potential for growth at Akron, Ohio-based Main Street Gourmet....
By Mark Scott
October 21, 2019
Harry Cendrowski: Take Steps To Ensure You Have A Comprehensive M&A Strategy
Any time you rush into M&A activity, the likelihood is that you’re not going to do very well, says Harry Cendrowski....
By Mark Scott
October 15, 2019
MC Group’s Tim Eippert: Lack Of Customer Overlap Facilitates MC Group/Icon Merger
In dealmaking, you don’t grow just to double, says Tim Eippert. You want more. The CEO of MC Group explains how integration will play a key role in maximizing the benefits of its merger with Icon....
By Mark Scott
October 4, 2019
How TPC Training's Ty Field Sizes Up Acquisitions
Ty Field, brought in by Frontenac to build up TPC Training, talks about his approach to making acquisitions....
By Mark Scott
October 4, 2019
Key Deals Propel Gent Machine To Steady Growth
Rich Gent talks about two pivotal deals in Gent Machine Co.’s history that have set the business up for a bright future....
By Mark Scott
October 3, 2019
Safelite's Tom Feeney: Speed, Focus Are Keys To Integration
After 100 deals during his time at Safelite, the CEO says he may have slowed the number of acquisitions, but he won't slow the pace of integrating the companies he does buy....
By Jayne Gest
September 27, 2019
How DNS Capital Finds The Right Deals
DNS Capital's Elizabeth Browne talks about the importance of good management and the challenges of finding the right company in which to invest....
By Mark Scott
September 27, 2019
Seasoned Operator Gerry Giudici On How To Achieve Synergies Through Acquisitions
Seasoned operating partner Gerry Giudici shares some of the key factors to consider when looking to achieve synergies through M&A....
By Mark Scott
September 27, 2019
Pitfalls And Best Practices For A Successful Acquisition
S&T Bank's Brian Dobis shares his perspective on three pitfalls and best practices when acquiring companies....
By Jayne Gest
September 20, 2019
Gregory Cessna On Why Due Diligence Drives Post-Deal Synergies
The CEO of Consumer Fresh Produce says the work that’s done before the deal paperwork is signed is often the most critical to long-term success....
By Jayne Gest
September 11, 2019
How Chuck Mattera Transformed II-VI With Acquisitions
Since Chuck Mattera joined II-VI Inc. in 2004, the manufacturer has completed more than 20 acquisitions. And he’s embarking on the largest deal yet as he works to close the acquisition of Finisar Corp. — a similar-sized company with annual revenues of $1.3 billion....
By Jayne Gest
September 6, 2019
Mark Kovacevich: Culture Is King In Acquisitions
For Improving's Mark Kovacevich, the critical component to acquisitions has always been culture. “If the culture doesn’t work, the transaction is just not [going to work],” he says....
By Jayne Gest
September 6, 2019
Before Buying, Consider Challenges As Well As Opportunities
Chris Gabrelcik always sees potential opportunities when looking to buy a company. But the CEO of Lubrication Specialties has to remind himself to bring a critical eye to the deal....
By Jayne Gest
August 23, 2019
Park Place's Entuity Deal Marks Shifting Strategy
On his way to shifting Park Place Technologies' M&A strategy with a tricky deal to buy Britain's Entuity, Chris Adams takes a lesson from Microsoft’s Satya Nadella...
By Mark Scott
August 21, 2019
How Advanced Drainage Systems Fast-Tracked Infiltrator Acquisition
CEO Scott Barbour grabbed the pole position, and never let his foot off the gas in his bid to close the $1 billion deal....
By Jayne Gest
August 16, 2019
Buying a business? Better have a plan
Companies preparing themselves for their first acquisition might appreciate Don Caldwell’s advice: “The plan comes first.”...
By Adam Burroughs
July 30, 2019
Windsor Industrial's David Costa: Buyers Should Always Be Closing
David Costa prefers to move fast when making acquisitions, moving form LOI to purchase agreement within 10 days. It’s an approach built out of hard lessons learned putting in the time and effort and walking away without a deal....
By Mark Scott
