SearchAmericas M&A Services Overview

SearchAmerica
International Search &
Executive Recruitment
18511 Heritage Trail
Strongsville, OH 44136-7083
Phone: (440) 572-0450
Fax: (440) 572-2000
E-mail: mreilly@searchamericas.com

SERVICES

Growth Strategy Development -- We assist firms in developing strategies for growth, and in some instances growth through affiliation, merger, or acquisition is the preferred approach. With other firms, a merger or acquisition strategy can be determined the most effective means of accelerating entry into new market sectors, defined either geographically, by industry, by channel of distribution, and/or by discipline and service.

In some situations, the strategy responds less to growth and marketing goals and more to an inability to effect internal transition of leadership and ownership. In still other situations, a merger or acquisition strategy resulted from owners' ambitions to receive higher value more quickly than seemed realistic in an internal sale.

Merger and Acquisition Searches -- We conduct searches on behalf of clients seeking firms to acquire or with whom to merge. Often the vehicle of merger or acquisition is not defined at the inception. Instead the search process identifies suitable candidates, with the decision of whether a merger or an acquisition will be most suitable evolving during discussions -- which we often facilitate -- between the firms.

Acquirer Searches -- We identify candidate firms to acquire clients. At times we help our clients to explore things internally that they can do to strengthen their businesses and increase their appeal, and their value, to an acquirer.

Due Diligence -- We undertake due diligence or guide our clients as they undertake it themselves to ascertain that "what you see is what you get". Through our due diligence efforts, we investigate such things as the industry, competition, financial profile, marketplace reputation, roles and capabilities of personnel, current ownership situation, employment agreements, intellectual property and liability issues.

Valuation -- We assist buyers, sellers, and merger partners in developing objective valuations of their businesses. Frequently, valuations vary depending on the conditions of ownership transfer - values in external sales are generally considerably higher than values in internal sales - and we help our clients realize and understand this.

Deal Structuring -- We assist buyers, sellers, and merger partners to structure deals that are fair, consistent with collective goals, and prudent with respect to taxes. In the course of such services, we may work with our clients' attorneys and accountants.

Integration Assistance -- We assist firms, whether or not we had been part of the process that got them together, to come together smoothly and toward common goals. The range of issues covered can be wide, including cultural integration, compensation planning, technology integration, project process improvement, organizational management, and public relations strategy development.

Affiliation Services -- We assist in identifying firms between whom a relationship will increase marketing and service strength for specific projects and clients.