What’s Special About Your Business?
Before selling a business, it is important to understand why someone would want to buy it. The concept is similar to why customers buy your products or services, but a little different. A plain vanilla, me-too business or product is... Read More →
Getting to a Signed Letter of Intent
The letter of intent (LOI) is an important milestone in the sale of a business. It shows that both the buyer and seller have agreed in general to the valuation, terms, and conditions of a deal and that closing should... Read More →
Why Sell to a Private Equity Group?
PCB/PCBA owners often think that a short list of strategic buyers (companies in the same industry) are the only ones who would be interested in acquiring their company. One category of buyers that is often overlooked is private equity groups... Read More →
Beware of Cultural Issues in M&A Deals
Company culture is hard to define and manage, but it is a critical factor in making an M&A deal successful. It is also often ignored or misunderstood during and after due diligence because culture is a “soft” science instead of... Read More →
Creating PCB Industry Giants and Mid-majors Through Acquisitions
In December, 2018, Summit Interconnect announced the acquisition of Streamline Circuits. Summit itself was created in 2016 through the merger of KCA and Marcel, and is backed by a private equity firm. In the PCB and PCBA industry, TTM Technologies... Read More →
Avoid Surprises During the M&A Process
No one likes surprises, especially in merger and acquisitions (M&A) deals; there are enough unknown variables to start with. As the deal progresses, tensions start to rise, so any additional variables can cause a disproportionate response. Below are some ways... Read More →
GP Ventures’ Tom Kastner on PCB Mergers and Acquisitions
It’s always interesting talking with Tom Kastner, president of GP Ventures, because he has his finger on the pulse of our industry’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) more than anyone. He knows which companies are selling, buying, or thinking about it.... Read More →
Keys to Avoid Key Person Risk
PCB West is next week in the San Francisco area, can you go to the show and maybe visit a winery or two without the shop falling apart? If not, you have key person risk. Have you not taken a... Read More →
Beware of Customer Concentration Risk
One of the biggest risks in M&A is customer concentration risk. It is hard to avoid as a business owner; if a customer is giving you orders, you generally take them! The next thing you know, your customer has 90%... Read More →
“Dealing” with Family Businesses
Some families may have spent this past Father’s Day discussing family business issues, including when, how or whether to pass the baton. There are several issues to consider when dealing with a family business. An owner may have started the... Read More →