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The Endless Summer of M&A?

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Over fifty years ago in the late 1960’s filmmaker Bruce Brown gave us his cult classic surfer documentary The Endless Summer. The film chronicles the journey of two young professional surfers who circumnavigate the globe chasing summer through both the northern and southern hemispheres in search of the elusive “perfect wave.”

As we enter the summer of 2019, the comparison to the M&A market today seems appropriate. Are we in the “endless summer” of super charged M&A activity and valuations? We have been experiencing an almost unseen level of M&A activity over the past four years and one can’t help but ask….when (not if) will it end?

Expanding the Climate for Middle Market M&A Success in 2019

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As many FOCUS colleagues know, the firm celebrated its third consecutive record-breaking year in 2018, closing 28 deals across 10 industry segments. As we approach the first half of 2019, we continue to demonstrate our proven expertise, both across the wide range of sectors we cover, and in the depth of strategic services we deliver on behalf of our clients. Plus, first quarter 2019 results prove dealmakers see plenty of solid reasons for optimism for the remaining three quarters.

Growing to the Next Level—Rainmaker LISBON Summit 2019

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The 30th M&A Worldwide Rainmaker LISBON Summit, held April 4-5 in Lisbon, Portugal included 278 people from 40 countries—breaking all previous attendance records for the prestigious event.

Like the MIAMI Summit hosted by FOCUS in November 2018—as well as previous Summits in Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, New Delhi, Warsaw, and Shanghai—the LISBON Summit united corporate deal makers from across the globe, stimulating discussion around ongoing transactions, as well as the latest trends in research, deal software, and process management.

ESOP from an Adopter’s View

It is very likely that you have been approached by advisors over the years suggesting you consider selling your business to an ESOP, an employee stock ownership plan. Interestingly enough, FOCUS recently adopted an ESOP in December 2018 to execute our own long-term transition plans, and we thought our perspective on this ownership structure (as both an advisor and recent adoptee) might be helpful to you.
Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP)

Is Now the Right Time to Consider an ESOP?

FOCUS adopted an ESOP, an employee stock ownership plan, form of corporate structure late last year. We decided to implement an ESOP as it afforded our partners an opportunity to redeem their capital accounts, but kept our existing organization intact without any changes to our culture, organization, benefit plans or management team. In effect, the ESOP allowed us to maintain our business model and procedures exactly the same as prior to the transaction. In so doing, FOCUS joined nearly 7,000 other companies who have made the decision to establish an ESOP.

M&A Action Plan: Full Speed Ahead!

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In 2019, we believe the middle market will continue to be a robust, dynamic space for dealmakers, offering buyers and sellers an expanding climate for success. Plus, an impressive number of major surveys and report support our thesis.

Acquiring Controlled Distribution Aids Brand Share Growth

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Here’s a little history lesson for the young people. Bridgestone Corp. was not always the largest tire company in the world. The acquisition of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. in 1988 helped make it the largest.

Initially, the deal did not include the Firestone stores, but to outbid a combined offer from Pirelli & Cie …

Independents vs. Conglomerates: Who’s Winning the Battle for Tire-Buying Consumers?

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It seems like every issue of Modern Tire Dealer has an announcement of a new acquisition by Monro Inc., Icahn Automotive Group LLC, Bridgestone Americas Inc. and the like. One would assume by reading these that what I call the company-owned conglomerates are “winning the war” for the hearts and minds of consumers, but I …

2018 Year in Review

2018 YEAR IN REVIEW: A Third Record-Breaking Year!

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FOCUS just completed its exciting third consecutive record-breaking year in 2018. We closed 28 deals across 10 industry segments and hosted an annual conference for our 43 Global M&A partner firms. In 2018 we continued to demonstrate the firm’s proven expertise, both across the wide range of sectors we cover, and in the depth of …