In today’s edition of the M&A Digest, we answer frequently asked questions about succession planning, due diligence and more, as well as address worldwide mergers and acquisitions activity, assumptions to avoid when selling a business, and a recent merger of synergies. As usual, follow the links to read the full pieces. [Read more…]
M&A Weekly Digest – June 21, 2013
This week we’ve got conversation about synergistic acquisitions, a look at an alternate deal structure, and economic projections – is continued growth on the horizon? Click on an article’s headline to read the full piece. [Read more…]
M&A Weekly Digest – February 3rd, 2012
This week’s M&A digest explores protecting your legacy with a solid exit strategy, explains what private equity activity means to you, and investigates the motivating factor behind a recent deal. [Read more…]
Deal Structure Flexibility Will Help You Sell Your Business
It was recently announced that WRM America Holdings, a specialty lines property and casualty insurance and risk management holding company, had agreed to acquire the flood insurance business of Fidelity National Financial for $210 million. Fidelity National Financial’s flood and excess flood business – Fidelity National Indemnity Insurance Company (“FNII”) – will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of WRM America.
WRM, a portfolio company of Aquiline Capital Partners, is a new A.M. Best A- rated specialty property and casualty insurance company created by Wright Risk Management, a respected insurance management company. According to the press release:
“The addition of the largest provider of federal flood insurance through the NFIP to the WRM America family of companies is another step in our continued growth as a specialty lines insurance company, is representative of our dedication to current and future public-private partnerships, and considerably increases our fee-for-service offering,” said William Fishlinger, CEO and Chairman of WRM America.”
So here we have another great example of a synergistic acquisition of a private equity firm’s portfolio company. But what got my attention in this transaction was the deal structure. [Read more…]
Synergies Make the Deal – AutoTrader.com Acquires VinSolutions
Recently it was announced in the M&A media that AutoTrader.com was acquiring VinSolutions. Many of you have probably heard of AutoTrader. Created in 1997, AutoTrader.com is the Internet’s “ultimate automotive marketplace and consumer information website.” AutoTrader.com aggregates in a single location millions of new cars, used cars and certified pre-owned cars from thousands of auto dealers and private sellers. It is a leading online resource to advertise and market vehicles to active car buyers. According to their website, they “provide the largest selection of vehicles and attract more than 14 million qualified buyers each month.”
VinSolutions is a developer of Internet-based Customer Relations Management (CRM) and Internet Lead Management (ILM) software. In addition to CRM, ILM and Inventory Control products, VinSolutions builds custom dealership Web sites, uploads inventory photos, offers their clients quality training and consulting services, as well as valuable customer support.
So why would AutoTrader.com acquire VinSolutions? [Read more…]