Goals of Ownership

  • Desire to sell majority ownership position for estate planning purposes while company on strong growth trajectory – goal of diversifying net worth as vast majority was tied up in company
  • Find acquirer or partner to provide capital to facilitate growth into new products and markets and fund prospective acquisition opportunities
  • Create opportunity for senior (non-owner) employees to obtain ownership stake
  • Maintain meaningful ownership stake in business

Situation

  • Owners recognized the need to seek assistance from experienced investment banking firm to allow them to remain focused on the business during aggressive growth phase – owners selected De NES Partners to lead process that would best benefit owners and executive management team

Transaction

  • 20 potential strategic and financial partners made preliminary offers; 5 groups selected to meet with ownership
  • Completed deal with Strategic Buyer with financial backing from Bolder Capital, which offers capital resources in excess of $1.0 billion through its unique relationship with JZ Capital Partners Limited and The Edgewater Funds – assured ample capital and resources to accelerate growth in current markets as well as to expand into new markets
  • Post-transaction, owners retained a meaningful ownership stake
  • Owners removed from all personal guarantees from bank and credit lines
  • Strategic Buyer created an additional stock option pool for senior employees (including stock options available to recruit new executives)