Most owners of privately-held businesses are the epitome of entrepreneurship. Most entrepreneurs are successful because of their “can-do” attitudes as well as their willingness to do whatever is necessary to make their businesses successful.

When it comes time to sell their businesses, their “hands-on” attitude leads many business owners to the belief they are the best salesman for their companies. “Who knows my company better than I,” many business owners say to us, “How can you do a better job describing my company than I,” they ask.

We, as M&A professionals, never purport to know more about our clients’ businesses than our clients. Neither would anyone at CFA espouse to know each and every buyer who could ever be interested in our clients’ businesses. Read the rest of this entry »

Case Study

Founded in 1964, M&M Pump & Supply is a leading distributor of comprehensive systems and components used in oil and gas drilling and production to gas producers and industrial customers located primarily in the Illinois Basin. The Company also provides oil field services such as hydrostatic pipe and tank testing and cleaning, delivery, and equipment rentals. M&M Pump & Supply retained the services of Corporate Finance Associates to identify and negotiate a deal with a strategic acquirer.

M&M Pump & Supply was acquired by DN Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm with investments in lower middle-market companies generally based in the Midwest. (www.dnpartners.com). The Company specializes in partnering with management teams to facilitate corporate spin-offs, family succession transactions, recapitalizations, buy and build strategies, and management buyouts. DN Partners’ other business interests include manufacturing, packaging, printing, and communications.