News & Insights

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

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.

FOCUS Investment Banking Represents Accumark, Inc., in its Acquisition by Hoffman Southwest

FOCUS Investment Banking, a national middle market investment banking firm providing merger, acquisition, divestiture, and corporate finance services, announced that Accumark, Inc., Pipe Vision, LLC, and Benchmark VA LLC Subsurface Utility Services (collectively “Accumark”) have been acquired by Hoffman Southwest (HSW), a rapidly growing portfolio company of ORIX Capital Partners, that provides water flow inspection, repair, and cleaning services. FOCUS represented Accumark, Inc. in this transaction.

Growing to the Next Level—Rainmaker LISBON Summit 2019

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.

FOCUS Investment Banking Represents Atomic Auto Body in Sale to Gerber Collision and Glass

Atomic Auto Body and Detail, Inc. has been acquired by Gerber Collision and Glass Washington, DC, (April 9, 2019) – FOCUS Investment Banking, a national middle market investment banking firm providing merger, acquisition, divestiture, and corporate finance services, with a specialty in the automotive services sector, announced today that Atomic Auto Body has been sold to Gerber Collision and Glass. FOCUS represented Atomic Auto Body in this transaction.

FOCUS Investment Banking Represents Price’s Collision Centers in its Sale to Caliber Collision

Price's Collision Centers has been acquired by Caliber Collision Washington, DC, (April 9, 2019) – FOCUS Investment Banking, a national middle market investment banking firm providing merger, acquisition, divestiture, and corporate finance services, with a specialty in the automotive services sector, announced today that Price’s Collision Centers of Nashville, TN has been acquired by Caliber Holdings Corporation of Lewisville, TX. FOCUS represented Price’s Collision Centers in this transaction.

FOCUS Investment Banking Represents United Technology Group, LLC in its Acquisition by Coretelligent, a Portfolio Company of Veronis Suhler Stevenson

United Technology Group (UTG) has been acquired by Coretelligent, a portfolio company of Veronis Suhler Stevenson (VSS) Washington, DC, (April 3, 2019) – FOCUS Investment Banking, a national middle market investment banking firm providing merger, acquisition, divestiture, and corporate finance services, announced today that United Technology Group, LLC (UTG) has been acquired by Coretelligent, a portfolio company of Veronis Suhler Stevenson (VSS). FOCUS represented UTG in this transaction.

Rick Thomas Named FOCUS Chief Executive Officer and Doug Rodgers Becomes Firm Chairman

Washington, DC, (March 28, 2019) – FOCUS Investment Banking, a national middle market investment banking firm providing merger, acquisition, divestiture and corporate finance advisory services, announced today that Rick Thomas has been named Chief Executive Officer while Doug Rodgers is named the firm’s Chairman.

2018 was a pivotal year for FOCUS. The firm transitioned to an ESOP form of ownership at the same time it experienced the most productive year in its history. After 17 years as CEO, the timing was perfect for Doug Rodgers to become Chairman of FOCUS as the Board names Rick Thomas the firm’s new Chief Executive Officer.

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!

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.