Mergers & Acquisition
Acquisitions, set-up and fusion made easy
The definition Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) – the fusion of business and acquisition of parts of a business – incorporates all processes in conjunction with the transfer and consequences of rights of ownership to businesses, restructuring of corporations, mergers and conversions in a legal sense, squeeze out, financing of the company acquisition, setting up a joint venture company and the take-over of companies.
The following points are to be considered for the different tasks in the various phases of M & A transactions:
On the purchasing side Due Diligence studies are a key emphasis. This concerns assessing the business which is to be acquired from a strategic perspective and in terms of development potential. Careful validation of the underlying core assumptions in the business plan (for instance in the areas of markets, competitors, own positioning and competitive advantages etc.) is also among the issues considered, as is an assessment of the performance / potentials of the organisation and management.
On the seller's side we support the sales process by way of targetted searches for suitable investors, generating the necessary documentation and moderation of the entire sales process through to conclusion of contract. Our M & A projects are often an element of the implementation of business strategies, that have been previously worked out together with the clients.
Post-Merger Integration is the third main task in an M & A context. After a transaction we monitor the integration of the business organisations concerned. This involves, for instance, developing joint strategies through to the structured resolution of operative and organisational challenges, in order to achieve anticipated synergies.
On the seller's and on the purchaser's side our involvement is complementary to the duties carried out by lawyers, accountants and financial investors. The formal aspects of a transaction must of course be complemented by experts, who are in an SMC network of cooperation partners, yet who also, depending on preference, can be commissioned by clients directly.
Not for corporations, but for the medium-sized sector
In the medium-sized sector, company succession is a typical M & A theme which is determined by the specific desires and requests of those looking for succession. Succession for a lifetime's work is a special challenge and therefore requires insightful supervision. Smaller and medium-sized company transfers are often handled by SMC in cooperative association with a team consisting of auditors, fiscal advisors, business advisors, legal advisors, finance experts, engineers and licenced company valuers.
Investor service
Two fundamental prerequisites for worthwhile investments in business are a favourable entry price and high appreciation potential. We identify suitable companies for investors and implement profitable ownership structure through value-adding company development, since we not only provide advice in supporting the management of a portfolio company, but also operatively too if required. In this respect we help companies and investors alike.
In the early phase it is better to be unaware of mergers & acquisitions
Even if you would like to know about all of the businesses and contact partners who may be of potential interest to you, which is likely not the case, you will not have most of the key information for a promising procedure. It is often also not advisable if you or a representative from your company enter into those initial discussions.
We make use of our network, identify conceivable companies/people for you and obtain the relevant details to be taken from the respective information as the basis for promising transactions. You stay in the background, while we conduct the initial discussions and smooth the way for you. Together we work out tactics that bring you to your goals.
An overview of M&A services
- Efficient deal management
- Due diligence
- Contract administration
- Legal and fiscal aspects
- Advisory and operational support in all phases incl. Business development
- Takeover of insolvent businesses
- Management buy-in / Management buy-out
- Post-merger management
