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Why should I sell now? Who would buy my business? How much would a buyer pay for my business? Benchmark International vs. Business Broker Benchmark International by numbers Deal Team overview Client Testimonials Letters of Testimony Case Studies Success Gallery Dont just take our word for it

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Why should I sell now?

2013 is proving to be a great year in terms of deal activity at Benchmark International and we have several reasons to believe that 2014 will surpass this year, with market conditions primed for high levels of deal completions. The primary reason for our high expectations is the increased levels of demand for mid-market companies originating from both corporate companies and private equity buyers. Both are sitting on cash reserves in a high percentage of cases and mid-market acquisitions represent the best value investment. Mountains Of Cash Being Sat On With private equity deals accounting for 18% of total deal value in H1 2013, it seems that whilst corporates continue to drive deal activity, private equity involvement in the market remains very active. With roughly 1trillion dry power waiting to be deployed, private equity looks poised to provide high levels of deal activity once more in 2013, with an increase on 2012s figures a strong possibility. Looking to 2014, all the factors which served to make H1 2013 a record year at Benchmark International look set to continue, if not increase in their prominence. These factors, including strong appetite from the buy side and high levels of unspent cash available to corporate and private equity buyers, has the potential to place sellers in a perfect position to achieve maximum value for their companies. Rise of Chinese Venture Capital The Chinese Venture Capital industry has evolved rapidly since the early 1990s when the initial phase of organisations entered the market with a primary focus on Chinese technology based start-ups. Since then the focus and activity has developed to a huge to extent. International transactions are now clearly one of the main objectives with a particular focus on UK and US deals.

Interest Rates At Record Low External economic factors invariably play the biggest role in determining the most salable time for companies. One of the biggest factors at play is interest rates and, as you will probably already know, they are at a record low in both the UK & US, great for those considering selling their company. Something you may be less aware of is that a very high percentage of buyers use some form of financing to secure their deals. As a consequence, valuations typically tend to favour sellers.

Credentials

Why should I sell now?

High transaction multiples being achieved Companies that took a proactive approach to the economic downturn by increasing operational efficiency are now reaping the rewards. Throughout H1 2013, Benchmark International witnessed numerous cases where organisations successfully maximised sale value sale value, having restored their EBITDA to pre-recession levels. The market may soon be flooded With Baby Boomers set to retire en masse over the next 15 or so years, the company sale market promises to become awash with company sale opportunities. An increase in the number of companies for sale could result in supply exceeding demand, driving down prices. Deal scarcity A lack of larger deals means that the larger companies have shifted their focus to the mid-market. Companies that show strong financial performance have seen an increased amount of interest from many of our clients and other company owners - NOW could be the time to gain maximum value for your company. Buyers looking to diversify Large companies have recently been acquiring companies from other sectors to their own in order to minimise risk. In the last two years the amount of companies that have conflicting purposes in a different sector has increased by 56%.

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Who would buy my company?

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How much would an acquirer pay for my company?

A question we face more than any other as company exit specialists is what is my company worth?. Well, the reality is that the answer to this question is affected by a vast number of external influences which all play their part in determining the peaks and troughs within the M&A industry life cycle.

Key Points M&A Industry life cycles generally span 6 or 7 years. Last industry peak experienced 2006/2007. Last industry trough experienced 2009/2010. Economic downturn prolonged trough. 2013/2014 deal activity set to peak.

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How much would an acquirer pay for my company?

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10! 2008 EBITDA! 2013 EBITDA! 5!

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Unrivalled Private Equity industry presence

Benchmark International has been heavily involved in several private equity industry events, both this year and last, as we continue to develop and nurture relationships within the industry. Private equity firms are becoming increasingly involved within the M&A industry as pressure grows to invest unspent capital built up over recent years. The strong relationships Benchmark International has developed over the past 12 months are playing a major role in our continued deal successes, supported by our unrivalled approach to driving maximum value.

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Why should I choose Benchmark International to sell my company?

Benchmark International Strict Validation of Engagements

Our selection of market engagements only include those companies that we feel we can achieve maximum value for.

Business Broker

Will take any company to market irrespective of size, type, and salability.

Volume of Engagements
Quality not quantity - we use accuracy when assessing the unique, true value of a company; our professional attention to detail ensures we are living your deal. Large amount of companies facilitates a lack of transparency and decreases the level of attention to your deal.

Global Buyer Intelligence

Prospects are identified via our global business intelligence and research facilities, targeting 90 million trade financial, synergistic and complimentary sectors. One-size-fits-all approach on web portals results in confidentiality issues; lack of appropriate exposure generates poor quality prospects and low offers.

Confidential Marketing
Key decision makers are enticed through strategic, confidential, multichannel marketing which encourages creative deal solutions and fosters off market opportunities. Clients are mass marketed; this informs suppliers, customers and competitors of the sale.

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Our firm at a glance

US LICENCE: CQ1041763

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Truly International

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Truly International

New York

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Benchmark House

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Benchmark International Deal Teams

At Benchmark International we believe that our Deal Teams possess the perfect mix of experience, knowledge and youthful energy. Our Deal Teams all comprise of industry leading M&A, accounting and legal specialists assisted by the most talented and driven graduates. Benchmark International Executive Team:

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Client Testimonials

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Letters of testimony

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Letters of testimony

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Letters of testimony

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Benchmark International Benchmark House Folds Road Bolton, Greater Manchester BL1 2RZ

Benchmark International Brokers Limited Spinningelds 10th Floor 3 Hardman Street Manchester M3 3HF Dear Mike

Dear Mike, Sale of Company Charter Flight Centre Ltd Just a note to say how pleased I am to have completed a deal and to thank you for maintaining your fullest efforts in the deal from the start to the completion. As you know I spent an abortive and costly period on the market with BCMS and was somewhat disheartened with the process. You have provided a number of serious acquirers and managed what many felt was not possible despite the difficult market conditions. Many thanks to you and the Benchmark International team. Yours sincerely and kind regards

FAO Mike Power RE - Completed sale of Willow Foods Limited Following the successful completion of the sale of the business I just wanted to express my gratitude for the way in which the process was handled. I was most impressed with your understanding of my need to nd the right purchaser for my business, its comforting to know that the business is secure in the future and will remain in the same location. It was pleasing to have a number of offers to consider and hence the power of choice to select the most suitable acquirer. Full marks to your team and I would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone considering the sale of their business.

Malcolm Acott Managing Director

Mark Turner Director

Charter Flight Centre Ltd 255 Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7AA
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Davy Way, Miners Park, Llay Industrial Estate North, Wrexham. LL12 0PG

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Letters of testimony

Benchmark International Benchmark House Folds Road Bolton Greater Manchester BL1 2RZ Dear Mike Re Completion of Sale of Identifile Systems Ltd Following the sale of the company I am writing on behalf of Pat and myself to thank you for all your efforts and for the way in which you have managed the process. The number of serious enquirers in what is considered tough times was very pleasing and the fact we had two solid written offers to choose from made the whole process very reassuring. You know I had all the usual concerns about confidentiality and was delighted that the first release of news was when the deal was done. I am looking forward to retirement in the knowledge that the business will continue to thrive under its new ownership. Once again many thanks. Yours sincerely

Benchmark International Benchmark House Folds Road Bolton Greater Manchester BL1 2RZ Dear Mike Re - Sale of Company I am writing to say a big thank you for the professional and expedient manner in which you have handled the sale of my company. The Information Memorandum you prepared was of the highest quality and Im sure answered most if not all the queries that usually arise. It is still hard to believe that I only instructed you on the 8th December and the deal completed on January 13th. I know I wanted a quick sale but this surpassed all my expectations. The buyer is a perfect fit for this business. Once again many thanks and I hope I can recommend you to other business owners looking to sell. Kind regards Yours sincerely

Marcus Cowling Managing Director

John Westwood Identifile Systems Ltd 25 Brownfields Welwyn Garden City Hertfordshire AL7 1AN

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Case studies

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Success gallery

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Success gallery

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Success gallery

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Success gallery

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Dont just take our word it . . .

Trade: James Studholme Haulage Company 07527 311 643 Steve Bunker The Royal Bank of Scotland Group 01204 531 882

Clients: Ruth Jones Brabners Chaffe Street Solicitors 0161 836 8800 07786 570300 Paul Whittaker Publishing Company 07531 009 386 Mike Donavan Telecommunication 07775 784 784

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