Exit Strategies Group Advises Kim Controls in Sale

/in , /by Al Statz

Exit Strategies Group recently served as financial advisor to the owners of Kim Controls, a Minneapolis-based provider of industrial automation solutions, on their sale to Flow Control Group, a KKR portfolio company. Effective July 1, 2024, the acquisition adds talent, technical services, and market coverage to FCG’s industrial automation group. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1971, Kim Controls is a regional automation solutions provider, serving manufacturing clients in Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The Company offers UL 508A custom control panel building services, and technologies offered include HMI’s, PLC’s, safety, motion control, machine framing, and test and measurement equipment. The Company operates with a strong customer commitment, providing significant value by working closely with clients’ management, engineering, and R&D teams to design and deliver not just automation products, but complete automation solutions.

Mike McGonigle, President and owner of Kim Controls said, “We were looking for a strategic partner to build on Kim Controls decades of technical services leadership, help us capitalize on significant growth opportunities in our market. Exit Strategies Group’s structured sale process attracted the attention of several strong candidates and helped us obtain a great deal from a great partner. We couldn’t have made this happen without them.  Partnering with FCG, allows us to continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers and suppliers and become an even better place for employees to work and develop their careers.”

Exit Strategies Group initiated this transaction and acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Kim Controls. This deal demonstrates Exit Strategies Group’s strong commitment to providing sell-side M&A advisory and business valuation services to North American industrial technology companies.  Our automation expertise covers product manufacturing, value-added distribution, custom machine building, control system integration, and repair services companies. Since our founding in 2002, we have advised on well over 100 M&A transactions.

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For information about Exit Strategies Group’s M&A advisory or business valuation services, please contact Al Statz at 707-781-8580 or alstatz@exitstrategiesgroup.com.

New Faces at Exit Strategies Group

/in /by Exit Strategies

Exit Strategies Group, Inc. is pleased to introduce Pete Wilson, Jason Harris, and Ignacio Ochoa as new members of our growing team.

Pete Wilson – Business Appraiser

Peter Wilson joins Exit Strategies Group as a certified business valuation expert after many years of investment management and business advisory experience. He has been an active private equity investor in growth companies, helping them scale their technology-enabled businesses. Peter has been an active investor, board member, and advisor to growth companies and non-profits. He serves on the Board of Directors for John Muir Health Systems, a large regional hospital system in California, and is an advisor to Line 51, an Oakland CA brewery. Pete was also an advisor to Infima Technologies, a machine learning fixed-income analytics firm. Mr. Wilson was previously on the board of A Closer Look, a customer experience (CX) measurement and analysis firm. Mr. Wilson works closely with wealth creators in the San Francisco Bay Area in his role as Chair at TIGER 21, the leading peer network for UHNW individuals. He also chairs the 350+ member private equity investment network within TIGER 21, chairs the investment committee of the Piedmont Council BSA, and sits on the investment committee of Futures Without Violence.

Pete’s career began in finance and investments. He led BlackRock’s 55-person Global Fixed Income Strategy team and built Barclays Global Investors fixed income business from scratch. Mr. Wilson launched one of the most successful fixed-income hedge funds, Fixed Income Global Alpha, which grew to over $6 billion in AUM. Mr. Wilson’s team pioneered the launch of the first fixed-income ETFs in the world, covering Treasury, Credit, and MBS markets. Pete also worked at BARRA, which pioneered the application of modern portfolio theory to the investment management industry.

Pete has deep experience evaluating companies as an investment management professional in both fixed-income and private equity. Pete has been a board member and advisor to companies in the restaurant, healthcare, financial and beverage industries. Pete graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts, in Economics and completed his MBA in finance at the Haas School at UC Berkeley. He is currently working towards his final Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) accreditation with the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA).

Jason Harris – Business Appraiser

Jason Harris joins Exit Strategies Group as a certified business valuation expert with over 20 years of experience in small company equity research and portfolio management. Jason began his career at CS First Boston. Then he worked as a research analyst for several Bay Area funds, including Drakes Landing Associates and Fullerton Capital, where he researched and monitored thousands of diversified equities. He then became a portfolio manager for several years at Touchstone Investments and Peninsula Capital.

In 2009 Jason founded Kendall Square Capital LLC, a San Francisco-based hedge fund specializing in small-cap companies. He grew the assets to over $240 million in four years through successful returns and targeted fundraising. Kendall Square focused primarily on the fundamental cash flow analysis of smaller capitalization companies.

Outside of work Jason coaches high school basketball and lives in Piedmont CA. with his wife Anne and three children Luke, A.J., and Shayne. Jason graduated from Hamilton College with a Bachelor of Arts, in Economics and completed his MBA at the University of San Francisco. He is currently working towards his final Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) accreditation with the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA).

Ignacio Ochoa – Analyst

Ignacio recently joined us as an Analyst to support valuation and M&A engagements with research, financial modeling, and analysis. Ignacio graduated from San Diego State University in May, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance. While in college, Ignacio interned with three different companies where he gained valuable work experience.

Exit Strategies Group continues to broaden its resources to meet the growing need for professional business valuation and M&A advice and execution services of the owners of closely held sub-$100 million revenue companies on the West Coast and across the U.S. at all stages of development. We’re excited to add the talents and creativity of these quality individuals to our team. Please join us in welcoming them.

The Exit Podcast: Tactical Acquisitions and the Importance of Scaling Fast with Tony Westfall

/in , /by Exit Strategies

Exit Strategies Group M&A Advisor Tony Westfall recently was hosted on Flippa’s “The Exit Podcast” where he shared his insights on growth acquisitions and the importance of scaling quickly.

Tony stated,  “I started my career as a big company corporate guy and then transitioned to being an entrepreneur.  I always knew that I really wanted to be involved in deal making though.  Even as an entrepreneur, my favorite activities were always acquiring other businesses.  When the Flippa podcast reached out to me to get my insights on exits from the perspective of an operator and an advisor, I was happy to oblige.  I think the best advisors are those who have been there before.  I made plenty of mistakes in my time as an entrepreneur, but I feel like those experiences are what help me and my colleagues come up with out-of-the-box solutions that enable us to maximize outcomes for our clients who are often doing the largest deal of their lives in the things they have spent a lifetime building.  Flippa caters to start-up communities, but of course, many of those lessons are applicable across the spectrum of companies.”

Listen to the podcast here.

For further information on this subject or to discuss a potential business sale, merger or acquisition need, confidentially, contact Al Statz at 707-781-8580 or alstatz@exitstrategiesgroup.com.

 

Exit Strategies Group Advises Amick Brown in Strategic Sale

/in , /by Mark Harter

Amick Brown LLC, a respected and long-established technology staffing and consulting firm in San Ramon, CA, was recently acquired by Zest LLC, an international technology staffing firm. Exit Strategies Group, Inc. advised the seller in the transaction. Terms of the transaction are confidential.

Amick Brown was founded in San Ramon in 2010. The Company provides technology staffing and technology consulting services for government and private sector clients. Customers are located throughout the United States and include many of the world’s largest enterprises. Amick Brown had five active owners. Two were looking to retire; Zest has retained the remaining three partners to continue in their current capacities with Amick Brown under the ownership and direction of Zest.

“Exit Strategies Group guided us through a process that was new to us and positioned us to achieve a very successful outcome,” stated Karen Gildea, Managing Partner of Amick Brown. “We absolutely could not have achieved the same results without their steady support and expert counsel. As result of Exit Strategies Group’s counsel, we were able to substantially increase the purchase price paid at closing.”

Amick Brown was advised by an Exit Strategies Group team led by Mark Harter. Steven Lee of Donahue Fitzgerald LLP provided legal counsel and John Anderson, CPA of the Anderson Company provided tax advice.

This transaction illustrates Exit Strategies Group’s expertise in lower middle market transactions and commitment to providing strategic valuation and M&A advisory services to North American staffing, consulting and professional services firms.

For further information or to discuss a potential M&A or business valuation need, contact Mark Harter.

Exit Strategies Group Advises Leap Solutions Group on their Sale to George Petersen Insurance Agency

/in , /by Roy Martinez

Exit Strategies Group, Inc., a California based mergers and acquisitions (M&A) brokerage and business valuation firm, recently advised the owners of Leap Solutions Group, Inc. of Santa Rosa on the sale of their business to George Petersen Insurance Agency.

Leap Solutions Group is a business management consulting firm specializing in organizational development, human resources, executive search, and recruitment.

Scott Ormerod, Leap Solutions co-owner, said, “Roy Martinez of Exit Strategies was our guide through this process, netting us a great outcome.” Chuck McPherson, Leap Solutions other co-owner added, “We are grateful to you and Exit Strategies for all of your valuation work – it was the foundation of the transaction.”

George Petersen Insurance Agency, headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, is a trusted leader in the insurance industry with 90 years of dedicated service. Their commitment to excellence and client satisfaction aligns seamlessly with our mission. Together, we are poised to provide integrated solutions that exceed expectations.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

 

This sale is an example of Exit Strategies’ M&A brokerage experience and valuation expertise in the business-to-business services sector. Exit Strategies has appraised and brokered hundreds of service businesses. If you are looking to sell, merge or acquire, we would be interested in hearing from you. Roy Martinez can be reached at 707-781-8583 or jroymartinez@exitstrategiesgroup.com.

Exit Strategies Group Advises California Caster in Strategic Sale

/in , /by Exit Strategies

California Caster, a respected and long-established industrial hardware design and distribution company located in Oakland, CA, was recently acquired by OneMonroe, an international industrial hardware manufacturing and distribution company.  Exit Strategies Group, Inc. advised the seller in the transaction. Terms of the transaction are confidential.

 

California Caster was founded in San Francisco more than 70 years ago.  Company services include the design and distribution of casters, hand trucks and other industrial hardware solutions.  Customers are located all over the world and include many of the world’s largest enterprises. Greg Williams, the owner of the Company since 2010, was looking to spend more time with his family and to reduce his workload as he owns several businesses.

“Exit Strategies Group guided us through a process that was new to us and positioned us to achieve a very successful transaction,” stated Greg Williams, owner of California Caster. “We absolutely could not have achieved the same results without their steady support and expert counsel.”

California Caster was advised by an Exit Strategies Group team led by Al Statz and Mark Harter. Michael Dalton of Donahue Fitzgerald LLP provided legal counsel and Paul Batrude of Batrude and Jones CPAs tax advice.

This transaction illustrates Exit Strategies Group’s expertise in lower middle market transactions and continued commitment to providing strategic valuation and M&A advisory services to North American industrial design, technology, distribution and service companies.

If you have questions or want information about Exit Strategies Group’s M&A advisory or business valuation services, please contact Al Statz at 707-781-8580 or alstatz@exitstrategiesgroup.com. Deal terms will not be disclosed.

Exit Strategies Group Welcomes Matthew Gutowsky

/in /by Al Statz

Exit Strategies Group, Inc. is pleased to introduce Matthew (Matt) Gutowsky as the newest member of our growing team. Matt recently joined us as Investment Banking Analyst, where he supports client engagements with research, financial modeling, and valuation analysis.

Matt recently graduated from Michigan State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance, with a minor in Insurance and risk management. While in school, Matt interned with a financial consulting firm and a diversified energy company where he gained valuable experience building analytical models and providing operations data to upper management.

Exit Strategies Group Advises Shepherd Controls in Sale

/in , /by Al Statz

May 2023 – Exit Strategies Group is pleased to announce that it represented Shepherd Controls & Associates, a leading regional supplier of industrial automation products, in a recent sale to Flow Control Group, a portfolio company of KKR.

Shepherd Controls & Associates, founded in 1985 by Ron Shepherd and Bill Benko, is headquartered in Allen, Texas. The Company has branch offices in El Paso and Houston and serves the Gulf states and Mexico. It offers a broad portfolio of innovative industrial automation products including robotics, pneumatics, motion controls, sensors, safety, vision, machine framing and material handling technologies. Value-added services include technical support, vision system and robotic proof of concept, custom mixed technology systems design-build, panel building, kitting and sub-assembly production.

“Exit Strategies Group took the time to thoroughly understand our business and positioned us to achieve a very successful transaction,” stated Ron Shepherd, cofounder of Shepherd Controls. “They brought several candidates to the table who saw the value of our company, and their guidance throughout the process was spot on,” added cofounder Bill Benko.

Shepherd was advised by an Exit Strategies Group team led by founder and M&A advisor Al Statz. “We are delighted to have partnered with Ron and Bill and their leadership team. We were seeking an acquirer who recognized the value that the Shepherd team had created, would nourish Shepherd’s culture and provide opportunities for its employees, had a track record of successful acquisitions, and had a clear strategy for expanding the business further. FCG checked all of those boxes,” said Al.

This transaction demonstrates Exit Strategies Group’s expertise in lower middle market transactions and continued commitment to providing strategic valuation and M&A advisory services to North American industrial automation technology companies.  Our expertise spans all areas of automation, including custom machine building, product manufacturing and distribution, control system integration and repair services.

If you have questions or want information about Exit Strategies Group’s M&A advisory or business valuation services, please contact Al Statz at 707-781-8580 or alstatz@exitstrategiesgroup.com. Deal terms will not be disclosed.

Adam Wiskind and Roy Martinez Complete Certified M&A Professional Program

/in /by Al Statz

Exit Strategies Group is pleased to announce that Senior M&A Advisors Adam Wiskind and Roy Martinez are now two of more than three hundred M&A intermediaries and professionals with the CM&AP designation.

The Certified M&A Professional Program is offered by the Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University in conjunction with The M&A Source. The Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional (CM&AP) Program provides participants with the analytical and business tools needed to manage successful M&A transactions from strategy assessment to valuation, diligence, negotiations, and execution.  Roy and Adam completed the coursework in April 2023.

“Continuing education is crucial to success in M&A. This training expanded my technical knowledge and execution skills so I can better help business owners navigate the sale process and achieve optimal results,” said Adam Wiskind.

“Though Adam and I have been advising on M&A transactions for years, there is always more to learn, and we will never stop sharpening our skills and expanding our knowledge base,” said Roy Martinez.

Exit Strategies Group specializes in managing the sale process for family and closely-held lower middle-market businesses up to $100 million in revenue.

Exit Strategies Advises IRR Los Angeles & Orange County on their Sale to CBRE

/in , /by Roy Martinez

Exit Strategies, a California based mergers and acquisitions (M&A) brokerage and business valuation firm, recently advised the owners of Integra Realty Resources of Los Angeles and Orange County on the sale of their Southern California commercial property and right-of-way appraisal business to CBRE Group, Inc.

IRR Los Angeles co-owner, John Ellis, said, “Roy Martinez of Exit Strategies helped us understand the value of our business and introduced us to resources needed to complete the transaction. We could not have done it without him.”

IRR is a network of commercial real estate valuation, counseling and advisory firms in the United States.

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

This sale is an example of Exit Strategies’ M&A brokerage experience and valuation expertise in the business-to-business services sector. Exit Strategies has appraised and brokered hundreds of service businesses. If you are looking to sell, merge or acquire, we would be interested in hearing from you. Roy Martinez can be reached at 707-781-8583 or jroymartinez@exitstrategiesgroup.com.