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Kendall Stafford Recognized as Investment Banker of the Year and Benchmark International Earns Cross Border Deal of the Year at M&A Advisor AwardsAt the 23rd Annual M&A Advisor Awards, Kendall Stafford, Managing Partner at Benchmark International, was named Investment Banker of the Year. Why Negotiating the Tough Stuff Upfront in a Letter of Intent is Crucial in M&A TransactionsWhen you're selling your business, the most challenging negotiations are the ones that often get pushed aside, but they are the ones that should be tackled upfront. Adjusted EBITDA ExplainedWhat is EBITDA?Seven Questions You Should Always Ask About a Business Before Buying ItIn the world of mergers and acquisitions, the adage, "knowledge is power," holds particularly true. This essential process involves meticulous investigation, analysis, and assessment of various aspects of the target company. It is critical to conduct thorough due diligence for multiple reasons, as it helps ensure buyers are making an informed decision and mitigating potential risks. Asking the following seven questions will help assess if the business is the right fit and potential synergy:Benchmark International Unveils Its New Flagship Office in AmsterdamBenchmark International is pleased to announce its new flagship office at The Edge, Amsterdam.Benchmark International is again ranked among the top M&A advisors in the world: Mergermarket and FactSetMergermarket has released its 9M 2024 Global & Regional League Tables, and Benchmark International is pleased to announce that it has once more been ranked for the number of deals conducted in Europe and globally. The latest recognition and rankings include:
Benchmark International Rolls Out New Interactive Publication of the Mark

Benchmark International has released a new publication, The Mark, which is an award-winning publication that offers exclusive insights into the world of mergers and acquisitions and specialized guidance for business owners on a wide range of important topics.

The ESOP Advantage in M&A: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

ESOPs have a special place in the business world. There's a bit of mystery around them as they are outside of typical business structures, and many need to understand how they work, much less their role in an M&A transaction. Some ESOPs seeking to sell are curious if they can do so with an ESOP in place. Others looking to buy or be bought out by an ESOP aren't sure of the proceedings. Fortunately, Benchmark has managed both situations and can navigate deals with these added layers of complexity.

Why You Should Consider Rolling Equity When Selling Your Business

Selling a business often culminates years of hard work, dedication, and strategic planning. It marks a significant financial milestone, but how you structure the sale can have lasting implications on your financial health and future opportunities. One option that business owners frequently contemplate is maintaining a portion of equity in the business as part of the sale. This approach involves taking a portion of the sale proceeds in the form of equity in the acquiring company rather than all cash upfront. While it may not be ideal for every situation or seller, there are many reasons why rolling over equity should be carefully considered:

Why A Bids-Invited Process Helps to Increase Your Business’ Valuation When It Is Time to Exit Your Business

You have decided it is finally time to take the next step in your exit strategy. You are ready to sell your business or seek a growth partner. Whether you are seeking retirement or looking for a strategic partner to assist you with future growth, you will want to get the best offer from a prospective buyer with the best cultural fit. In Benchmark International’s experience,  utilizing a  bids-invited process can help you to achieve these goals.

Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction of 1/2/3 Autoteile GmbH & Co. KG

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of 1/2/3 Autoteile GmbH & Co. KG by a private investor.

Benchmark International Awarded Cross Border Deal of the Year at the 23rd Annual M&A Advisor Awards

At the 23rd Annual M&A Advisor Awards, Benchmark International was awarded Cross Border Deal of the Year ($10 MM to $50 MM) for the acquisition of Push Technologies SL by Cendyn.

Managing Expectations While On MarketDeciding to sell your business can be a nerve-wracking yet exciting endeavor. It marks the culmination of many years of dedication, hard work, and strategic planning. As you prepare to go to market, engage with buyers through site visits, field and respond through information requests from interested parties, and hopefully navigate potential negotiations with buyers, it is vital not to overlook the significance of the market feedback you may receive while fielding these various levels of interest. The input received throughout the stages of this process is paramount to consider when managing your expectations while you are on the market. Understanding and finding the overall market consensus of feedback can help you determine what may add value to your overall offer or detract from your valuation. An often overlooked aspect is considering the market feedback generated by interest and adjusting your expectations accordingly.Beyond The Price Tag: Non-Financial Considerations In Business ValuationIt’s easy to be swept up in the flood of advice and methods for valuing a business. A quick internet search provides almost infinite resources right at your fingertips. From more general approaches to specific analyses, there is a lot of financial data to parse through, regardless of the methods you choose.Benchmark International Secures Top Positions in LSEG's Q3 Global League TablesLSEG, previously known as Refinitiv as well as Thomson Reuters, has released its Global League Tables for the first nine months of 2024, and Benchmark International was once again recognized with several high rankings across different categories. Why Sell Now? Taxes Are About To SurgeIf you are a small business owner, such as a shareholder in an S corporation or part of a partnership, you don’t want to be caught by surprise by what is to come. Your federal income tax rate is currently on pace to increase by 30% on the final day of 2025. This is due to the expiration of certain tax laws, such as the 199A deduction, and an increase in individual federal income tax rates. The tax rate for pass-through entity owners will increase from 30% to 39.6%. There is also the possibility that taxable income could see a spike if the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions are allowed to expire. This includes: Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Global Industry ReportThe industrial cleaning chemicals market continues to grow, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%, increasing from $57.56 billion in 2023 to $61.75 billion in 2024. This record growth can be attributed to several factors, including:Do I Really Need an Advisor When I Already Have a Buyer That Has Approached Me?An ever-increasing number of businesses receive unsolicited approaches from buyers yearly, yet a significant difference exists between being accidentally bought and purposefully sold. 
U.S. Private Equity Middle Market UpdateAccording to newly released data from Pitchbook, middle-market private equity (PE) dealmaking in the United States in the first half of 2024 has been stable, with buyouts tracking at $345 billion and the number of deals on pace to hit 3,400 for the entire year. This makes it the third-highest middle-market PE dealmaking year on record (data does not include growth-equity deals and growth-equity platform add-ons). The middle market is companies with enterprise values between $25 million and $1 billion.Benchmark International is a Finalist for 18 M&A Advisor AwardsBenchmark International is a finalist in a total of 18 categories in the 23rd Annual M&A Advisor Awards, presented by The M&A Advisor, including the prestigious recognition as Investment Banking Firm of the Year.The Impact Of Interest Rate Reductions On M&A TransactionsThe Federal Reserve recently reduced interest rates by 50 basis points (4.75%-5.00%), the first rate reduction in over four years. This swing in policy change and significant first reduction is a major statement, with further cuts likely to occur in the foreseeable future. For the M&A market, this news brings opportunities for sellers, with lower borrowing costs leading to more favorable terms and an overall smoother process.2024 Global Accounting Services Industry ReportThe global accounting services sector continues to grow steadily, up from $652.32 billion in 2023 to $676.73 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%. The market is forecast to see this growth continue in the next few years, surging at a CAGR of 4.4% to reach$804.27 billion in 2028. Benchmark International Named International Investment Bank of the Year at M&A Awards Gala in NYCThe lights of New York City shone brightly last week as Benchmark International gathered at the Athletic Club for the 15th Annual International M&A Awards by the M&A Advisors. It was a night of glamour, connection, and well-deserved recognition. Team members from multiple offices flew in and met for this incredible event, and we are proud to announce that we walked away with multiple prestigious awards, most notably being honored as "Investment Banking Firm of the Year (North America, Europe, & Africa)".Is Programmatic M&A Right for My Business?Programmatic mergers and acquisitions are a strategic approach to M&A deals that companies use to acquire several smaller companies to achieve certain goals, such as growth and value creation. This strategy differs from traditional M&A transactions, which usually involve singular transactions and higher valuations.
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Highlighting top-notch M&A analysis, expert interviews, and industry trends to keep you informed and inspired. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the world of M&A, our featured content offers valuable perspectives and actionable strategies to navigate the complex landscape of mergers and acquisitions. Join us as we showcase the best of M&A expertise and innovation, empowering you to make informed decisions and drive success in your endeavors.

Seller Motivation - What Goes Into The Decision To Sell Webinar

Deciding to sell your business is one of the most significant decisions you'll ever make. While maximizing proceeds is crucial, it's not the only factor that should influence your decision. Life circumstances, time with family, and other qualitative aspects can often outweigh pure financial gain. Join us for an insightful webinar as we explore the many motivations behind the decision to sell a business and why it's essential to consider both qualitative and quantitative factors in your decision-making process.

This webinar is a must-attend for business owners, particularly those who are contemplating the sale of their business. As the market remains strong but more disciplined, understanding your true motivations for selling can help you make the best decision for your future. Whether you’re aiming to maximize your financial returns or prioritize time with loved ones, this session will provide valuable insights to help you navigate the complex decision of when and why to sell

Dara Shareef serves as Managing Partner at Benchmark International and is charged with running the Tampa Transaction office. He also holds the rare distinction of having served in every role over the course of his career. His diverse background as both an operator of business and an investor into businesses allows him to anticipate issues in deals before they happen. Having been in each of their shoes, this allows him to think like both a seller and a buyer. Before arriving at Benchmark International, Dara served as COO of GSL Solutions. GSL provides web design and content management for roughly half of the US Senate and many school districts. Before GSL, he was a VC working for three different funds and held C-Suite operational roles in several businesses. Dara was formerly Vice Chairman of Sunmark Federal Credit Union in NY. One of the most exciting aspects of Dara's job is the opportunity it affords him to play with dozens of industries and business models. He has successfully facilitated transactions in sectors as diverse as SaaS, Commercial Landscaping, Vertical Market Software, Healthcare, Retail, Commercial Printing, Business Services, Marketing, IT Services, Niche Manufacturing, and Engineering.