Merkel & Associates, Inc. is a private investment banking firm specializing in the sale, acquisition and valuation of middle-market companies. Our sellers typically have annual revenues of $5 Million to $50 Million. They include both privately-held companies and divestitures of publicly traded companies. Our buyers range from wealthy individuals to Fortune 500 companies and leading foreign concerns. Our valuations are “real world” analyses of the prices and terms under which companies would likely sell to motivated strategic buyers, not merely willing and able buyers.
We differentiate ourselves from other investment banking firms enabling us to achieve results that frequently exceed our clients’ expectations. For instance, we are selective in our engagements, accepting only those where we can add significant value. We limit the number of concurrent engagements in order to devote the time and resources necessary to produce superior results. We are a “take charge” firm receiving compensation commensurate with the results we produce. We do not use our clients as training grounds for junior associates.
Seller clients find our representation unusually comprehensive. We manage the selling process from beginning to end, including the interaction of legal and accounting professionals. We typically include strategic, operational and financial assessments and provide recommendations on how the selling company’s value can be enhanced. We design, implement and manage a confidential marketing strategy that is truly consistent with shareholder objectives. The net result is a coordinated, team approach that achieves superior results in price, terms and qualitative considerations.
Our buyer representation is limited to well capitalized, strategic acquirers who, for the most part, are pursuing multiple acquisitions. Here again, our services are comprehensive and often include tactical and strategic planning. Our services do not include detailed due diligence. This, we coordinate through our buyers, their staff and advisors.
The valuation reports we provide are used primarily for business planning purposes and buy/sell agreements. We are able to develop them accurately and economically because of our extensive merger and acquisition experience and our access to confidential transactional data from sources such as IMAP (International Network of Merger & Acquisition Partners) which are largely unavailable to other valuation professionals. The subject company is viewed from a buyer’s perspective. Bank lending policies together with financial and operational leverage are always critical considerations in our analyses. Upon presentation of the report, the client is apprised of the risks associated with various terms of payment and what may be done to enhance the value of the company.
Merkel & Associates’ resources are exceptional for a firm of our size. Having successfully served buyers and sellers of middle-market companies since 1986 we have amassed a wealth of knowledge and contacts covering a broad span of the business community. Further, we are members of IMAP which gives us confidential access to buyers, sellers and industry specialists in key markets throughout the world.
