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Buy-Side M&A Advisory

Strategic acquisitions are a powerful tool for growth, market expansion, and diversification. Seale & Associates provides buy-side services designed to guide clients through the entire acquisition process, from target identification and pipeline development to evaluation, bid strategy, due diligence, and negotiations and closing.

Our client-first approach ensures you properly value targets, minimize risk, avoid common mistakes, and make informed decisions to achieve your strategic objectives.

Buy-Side advisory services include:​

  • Acquisitions of Pre-Defined Targets
  • Acquisition Pipeline Development
  • Auction Process Participation
  • Joint Ventures & Partnerships
  • Target Companies Research
  • Acquisition Strategy Definition
  • Valuation and Financial Analysis
  • Deal Structuring

 

FAQs from Our Clients:

What is our role in an acquisition process?

What are the steps involved in an acquisition process?

What other advisors are recommended for due diligence?

What are our standard fees on a buy-side project?

Case Studies

Acquisition Process Overview

  • Industry & Target Profiling: We develop high-level profiles of industries and sub-sectors that align with your acquisition objectives and criteria, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of potential opportunities. Once these profiles are reviewed, we collaborate to identify the sectors of greatest interest, allowing us to focus our research efforts on the most promising targets and ensuring a strategic fit with your growth objectives.
  • Develop and Screen Universe of Potential Targets: Based on the initial strategy, we create a comprehensive universe of potential targets. This universe is developed through discussions with the client, proprietary databases, trade shows, and other sources, typically including 100-200 options. Each company is reviewed using available information to assess potential fit, and we work closely with you to filter out those that do not meet the established criteria, ensuring the most relevant targets are identified.
  • Confidential Pre-Qualification: After screening the universe, each company that meets the criteria is confidentially pre-qualified to further assess strategic fit and gauge their interest level for potential future discussions. We maintain strict confidentiality by withholding the identity of the client at this stage.
  • Client Review & Prioritization: We meet with the client to review all confidential pre-qualification information and discuss the findings, allowing us to prioritize the most promising targets.
  • Access to Key Decision Makers & Introductory Meetings: We identify and profile key decision makers, facilitating less formal and non-threatening introductions to establish rapport. During these meetings, we highlight the attributes of the buyer, manage the confidentiality agreement process, and ensure all communications are handled with the utmost discretion.
  • Valuation & Strategic Rationale, and Preparation of Offer Letter: We conduct a preliminary valuation analysis, including industry benchmarking, comparative analysis, and pro-forma assessments for financial, accounting, and tax purposes. We work closely with management to evaluate potential synergies and develop a strategic rationale. Additionally, we advise on the structure of the offer letter, whether an Indication of Interest or Letter of Intent, assist with drafting if needed, and finalize the valuation, bid strategy, and bid range to ensure a compelling and competitive offer.
  • Due Diligence & Deal Structuring Advisory: We manage the entire due diligence process, coordinating external resources and ensuring a thorough examination of the target. Additionally, we propose and develop optimal deal structures, working closely with the legal team on various agreements while evaluating and analyzing financing alternatives to ensure the best fit for the transaction.
  • Negotiations & Closing Facilitation: We work closely with the client and seller to maintain momentum and timing throughout the negotiation process. By facilitating open, non-threatening communication channels, we leverage our closing process expertise to ensure a smooth and efficient transaction, guiding the deal to a successful conclusion.

The Value of Our Advice: Your Competitive Edge

  • Integrity and Independence: As an independent investment banking firm focused exclusively on advisory, we offer conflict-free advice and unwavering dedication to achieving our clients' objectives.
  • Senior-Level Participation and Support: Our approach involves active involvement from senior professionals at every stage of the process, ensuring trusted counsel and creative, tailored solutions.
  • Commitment, Creativity, and Innovation We deliver outstanding results through unwavering commitment, creative problem-solving, and an innovative approach to every project.
  • Consistently Exceptional Results: Since 1999, we have built a proven track record of success in executing complex M&A transactions, corporate finance initiatives, and other strategic endeavors across diverse industries.
  • Strong References from a Global Client Base: We boast strong references and repeat mandates from leading multinational public and private companies, family businesses, and private equity funds, demonstrating the trust our clients place in us.

Are you looking to expand through acquisitions or develop inorganic growth strategies?

Seale & Associates offers trusted buy-side advisory services. Contact us today to learn how we can guide you through the complexities of the acquisition process and help you evaluate the full range of inorganic growth opportunities for your company.