M&A

Cross-Sector M&A and the Blurring Business Landscape

April 30, 2019 By John Binkley

“We are seeing M&A become the fastest route to reinvention in today’s digital economy.” – How U.S. M&A will transform businesses in a changing world, Ernst & Young

As Dr. John Binkley and the team at Generational Equity have noted on numerous occasions, we are enjoying one of the most robust seller’s markets in decades. U.S. M&A in 2018 ended on a high note, with deal value topping $2 trillion for the fourth consecutive year across North America, marking a 6.9% increase on 2017.

This trend shows no sign of slowing into 2019 either. Insight from Merrill Corporation on Mergermarket data demonstrates that the pace of deal making has actually picked up in the early months of this year, with 504 deals valued at $257.5 billion, eclipsing 2018’s $223.2 billion. This indicates to Dr. Binkley that the seller’s market is not over yet and buyers are doubling down on their efforts to secure fitting acquisitions.

But, what many business owners often don’t recognize is that the buyer who stands to offer the best deal might not necessarily be in the same industry as they are. Within the last few years there’s been an increase in attention to cross-sector deals, as businesses use M&A to expand in new markets, incorporate technology and grow their capabilities.

The rise of cross-industry M&A

Dr. John Binkley alluded to the increasing focus on cross-industry acquisitions in his article last year reviewing 2018’s M&A activity. This trend is expected by many to maintain in 2019, driven in large part by the desire of companies to integrate new technology in this rapidly digitalized world.

This point is explored in Ernst & Young’s 2019 sector outlook for M&A. They note how buyers, particularly private equity firms, are acquiring technology companies as bolt-ons for their existing platforms to improve their capabilities and remain competitive in an ever-shifting business landscape.

Rather than devote the substantial time, manpower and resources into developing their own technology in-house, it is often more time-efficient and cost-effective for buyers to acquire a company that already has the technology and specialist expertise to enhance their own offering.

In their full-year 2018 update of global M&A, PwC reinforces EY’s assertions that cross-sector deals were a pivotal part of that year’s activity, and will continue to be so this year. They revealed that over a third of U.S. corporate deals last year blurred sector lines, with this type of acquisition particularly prevalent among buyers in the media, telecom, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.

Investment into technology companies is especially prevalent, as companies in traditionally non-tech sectors are now employing these to solve internal gaps, enhance their offerings to customers and remain competitive in a rapidly tech-reliant world.

451 Research revealed that acquirers outside the technology sphere have spent over $40 billion on tech companies in each of the last three years, a sign of the recent shift towards cross-sector M&A. And technology companies are also not shy of extending their reach into different industries, as demonstrated by Intel’s acquisition of Mobileye in an effort to become prevalent in the assisted and connected car industry.

However, the propensity to cross industry lines certainly isn’t exclusive to these sectors. KPMG conducted a thorough examination last year on the surge of cross-sector M&A in acquiring financial services companies. Their research clearly demonstrated the breadth of interest across industries in converging into this already broad sector:

Estimated share of sectors investing in financial services

Construction & Real Estate – 16%
Technology – 14.8%
Industrial – 13.6%
Energy – 11.8%
Consumer Goods/Retail – 10.1%
Transportation – 8.9%
Leisure – 5.9%
Media/Telecom – 5.3%
Healthcare – 4.7%
Others – 8.9%

For Dr. Binkley, this shows that the cross-sector M&A trend is not limited to one area or a passing fad in deal making – it is a signal of a more fluid business landscape. Companies that are seeking quick, meaningful growth are looking at opportunities to expand their capabilities and market share by looking beyond the bounds of their industry.

Don’t place industry limits on your exit strategy

A common thread connecting business owners that Dr. John Binkley and dealmakers at Generational Equity have noted over the years is the assumption that they will eventually sell their company to a competitor, or at least someone in the same industry. While that is certainly an option, by assuming this, you could place unnecessary limits on your options when pursuing an exit for optimal value.

That’s the difference between choosing an M&A firm that specializes in multiple sectors like Generational over boutique brokers. While boutique firms may claim to be able to help you find the optimal deal within your industry, that may not necessarily be the same as the optimal deal overall. It pays to explore all avenues and expand your horizons beyond the sector you operate in, as they could provide a more lucrative, synergistic and inviting proposition for the future of your company.

In 2017 Bloomberg supplied a list of cross-sector M&A deals that demonstrated how U.S. companies are looking outside their wheelhouse for new opportunities:

Source: Bloomberg

Each was a strategic decision to look towards an industry that is complementary to the acquiring company’s, but you must assume that the dealmakers involved took the time to scour the market and employed their cross-industry knowledge to find the optimal buyer for their clients.

Some of you may say “Why would a technology company be interested in my brick and mortar business?” But that’s not thinking like a buyer. Buyers look for intangible assets that don’t appear on the balance sheet, or ways your company can enhance their existing proposition, creating the proverbial 2 + 2 = 8 scenario.

In the end, your competitor may prove to be your optimal buyer. However, until you’ve explored the possibilities, you could be left wondering whether you left money on the table by sticking rigidly to the ever-reducing boundaries between industries.

The business landscape is changing, which Dr. Binkley credits in large part to the transformative possibilities presented by M&A activity in allowing firms to acquire technology, skilled personnel and new methodologies to increase their capabilities and remain competitive. The once-distinct divides between industries don’t exist anymore, and with that comes a whole new world of opportunity for exiting business owners to secure the maximum value.

Generational Equity’s diverse database of tens of thousands of business buyers allows the firm to present clients with in-depth expertise across a range of sectors, which has led to numerous examples of cross-sector pollination. By establishing a broad yet specialist approach to M&A, Dr. Binkley believes Generational presents all available options to middle market business owners preparing to exit.

Hopefully this has offered a greater insight into the prevalence of cross-sector M&A right now, the opportunities this offers for both professional buyers and those looking to exit, and the reasons why this environment makes choosing a firm that gives you options preferable when it comes to departing your business.

If you’d like to learn more about the current M&A landscape, cross-sector trends and the process of exiting a company for an optimal value, Generational Equity’s regularly updated insight page is a great resource for business owners thinking about their future.

In addition, Dr. John Binkley’s blog has several articles on developing your exit strategy, as well as other inspiring and motivational pieces.

A Year for Growth – 2018 at Generational Equity

December 10, 2018 By John Binkley

2018 is coming to a close, and with it the end of a memorable year for Generational Equity and the M&A landscape in general.

Dr. John Binkley has been very proud of the growth Generational has enjoyed in the last 12 months, supported by the very active M&A landscape and the efforts of its team and clients. In many ways it will go down as a landmark year for the firm, both in terms of what was achieved during 2018 and the groundwork it laid for next year and beyond.

Here, Dr. Binkley would like to share some of the highlights of 2018 at Generational Equity, and his hopes for the future of the firm.

2018 M&A Activity

Before Dr. John Binkley delves into the developments Generational Equity made in 2018, he felt it was fitting to take a glimpse at the wider M&A landscape.

The excellent seller’s market that has been a feature of the last few years continued throughout 2018, resulting in record-high levels of M&A market activity. Data from the Merrill Data Corporation revealed that deal value in the United States and Canada is up over 27% compared to 2017.

Furthermore, Mergermarket revealed that between Q1 and Q3 of 2018, U.S. M&A reached its second-highest total in terms of both deal value and number of deals – $1.1 trillion and 4,100 transactions respectively. This exceptional, consistent market is due to a variety of factors:

Healthy economies both regionally and nationally
Elevated buyer interest, especially among private equity firms
High confidence among business owners at all levels about opportunities for growth and M&A activity
Tax reform in late 2017 that reduced the corporate tax rate and spurred repatriation of funds held overseas
Low interest rates that have remained stable all year

The positivity of U.S. and global M&A is reflected in Generational Equity’s activity across the year. On deal closings compared to last year, the firm is up 12% as of now. This is remarkable as 2017 was our previous record year, which 2018 is set to beat considerably.

Generational Growth

As the title suggests, the theme of 2018 at Generational Equity was growth. For Dr. John Binkley, who has spearheaded the firm’s development from the start, it has been heartwarming to see the Generational Group’s unwavering expansion under the direction of his son, Ryan.

Generational’s expansion took several significant steps forward in 2018, including the introduction of four new office locations. The first, in April, was one close to home, as the firm opened an office in Austin, Texas, just a few hours’ drive from their headquarters in Dallas.

This was followed by two expansions in the dynamic Midwest market, with new offices in Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio. These locations were selected for their strong foundations, attractive business targets and access to a wider network of clients and buyers, that Dr. Binkley believes will be key to future growth.

Finally, Generational Equity opened a fourth new office in Manhattan, New York. This not only represented a big market but will also better serve the growing international demand for the firm’s services.

“Our company continues to implement its strategic plan to open more offices in the key target markets across North America in an ongoing effort to better serve middle market businesses.” – Brenen Hofstadter

The New York office also highlighted another aspect of Generational’s growth in 2018 – quality personnel. While Generational Equity has always featured some of the most experienced, dedicated professionals in middle market M&A, it always embraces fresh talent.

This was the case with David Fergusson, who was brought on as Senior Managing Director and Group Leader, and now heads up our New York office. Fergusson has over 30 years’ business and M&A experience, and is the former Co-CEO and President of The M&A Advisor.

David was one of several new additions to the Generational family. Highly experienced business leader and senior level executive John Hyman joined Generational Equity as Executive Managing Director, while Samantha Cooper O’Kane joined as Associate General Counsel, offering effective legal expertise.

Last but by no means least, Generational Equity welcomed a new team that has expanded the range of services it can offer to its current and future clients. By acquiring a majority stake in Talis Advisors, Generational added an award-winning wealth management firm to the group, meaning they can help clients preserve their wealth, as well as unlock it through a systematic exit strategy.

M&A Milestones

Alongside this great growth throughout Generational Equity, Dr. John Binkley was very pleased with the major milestones that the firm passed in the last twelve months.

The most notable milestone was surpassing $4 billion in wealth transferred to its clients across the entire Generational Group. This is an unprecedented level of activity for firms specializing in the lower middle market, and a great testament to the skill, experience and commitment of its M&A professionals.

“We strive to make a genuine difference in the lives of our clients, and this achievement is a tangible demonstration of that. It’s very gratifying to play a role in helping our clients attain their financial goals and help create the legacy they have worked so hard to build.” – Ryan Binkley

Generational Equity also closed its 700^th transaction back in May, another standout achievement in their industry. But, above this was the fact that this represented 700 business owners the firm had helped secure their financial legacy and achieve a successful exit.

An Award-Winning Year

Generational’s primary focus is going to any lengths for their clients, so it’s always an honor when that hard work is recognized. Dr. John Binkley appreciates that the methods and values he introduced and helped refine over time are respected by his peers.

At The M&A Advisor’s 17^th Annual M&A Awards in November, Generational Group was once again named Investment Banking Firm of the Year, an award they also received in 2017 and 2016. These back-to-back-to-back victories highlight the consistency the firm has shown in recent years, and how resolute the team is in its dedication to its clients.

Generational Capital Markets also walked away with the Corporate/Strategic Deal of the Year ($10mm-$25mm) for its support of its client, Ammex Plastics, in a sale to Echo Engineering and Production Supplies.

Earlier in the year, Dr. Binkley was pleased to see several of Generational Equity’s staff recognized as Emerging Leaders by The M&A Advisor – Musa Jagne, Ryan Johnson and Luan Ly. This was a result of the thorough training they received at Generational alongside their own ability and determination.

Generational Equity Giving Back

2018 was a great year for Generational Equity supporting its own development, but also it was a big year for supporting others. Dr. John Binkley is devoted to supporting good causes and the community that has allowed his firm and family thrive. So, he was especially proud of the way Generational supported both throughout the year.

At the tail-end of 2017, Generational was title sponsor of the Dallas Jingle Bell Run (which Dr. Binkley is pleased to share will be the case in 2018 as well). This fantastic family-friendly and dog-friendly event encourages the community to get moving and embrace the festive spirit by wearing their favorite holiday attire.

The Jingle Bell Run also raises money for two great causes – The Trinity Strand Trail and The Mavs Foundation – organizations that go a long way to improving lives and our environment. In February, Generational was delighted to deliver a check for $82,416 to these foundations to continue the amazing work they do. The team is looking forward to repeating this next year.

Generational also raised money for causes close to Dr. Binkley’s heart through one of his favorite pastimes – golf. Generational Group sponsored two charity golf tournaments in 2018. The first in May was in support of Here’s Life Africa, a nonprofit interdenominational mission ministry committed to spreading God’s Words and support villagers in the poorest countries in the world.

Later in the year, Generational was also title sponsor for The Salute Golf Tournament, an annual event to raise funds for post 9/11 vets who need help not provided to them by the Veterans Association. This was another big success and it was a privilege to spend time in the company of brave men and women who served our country.

What does 2019 hold in store for Generational Equity?

2018 has been a memorable year for Dr. John Binkley and the whole team at Generational Equity, much of it only possible due to the unwavering support of the firm’s clients and team members. This has been the foundation for much success in recent years.

As for Dr. Binkley’s hopes for 2019, he is looking forward to the continuation of the expansion that accelerated this year, as Generational settles into new markets and extends its reach to business owners across North America and worldwide.

Plus, with forecasts suggesting that the current M&A seller’s market will extend into 2019, Dr. Binkley is optimistic about the near future of M&A and the prospects for owners seeking to exit for the optimal value. He hopes that, through Generational’s eye-opening conferences and expert guidance, the firm continues to guide more people to fulfilling exits.

Hopefully you have enjoyed this trip down memory lane. If you’d like to learn more about these events, Generational Equity’s collection of press releases goes into greater detail on each of these milestones.

And, for a greater appreciation of how M&A has evolved in 2018 and how to capitalize on the current seller’s market, check out more of Dr. John Binkley’s blog posts. He hopes 2019 proves as prosperous and memorable for you as 2018 did for him.

Increase in PE-Backed Companies Seeking Add-ons Could Maximize Your Exit

September 20, 2018 By John Binkley

With his extensive experience in the industry, Dr. John Binkley has seen trends and movements come and go within the U.S. financial landscape. One current phenomenon that he has observed with interest is the popularity of additive deal making, or “add-on” acquisitions, among middle market businesses by private equity firms.

While Dr. John Binkley and other professionals at Generational Equity have observed and commented upon the increase of add-on acquisitions in recent articles on the subject, the latest evidence shows that this trend has escalated significantly.

Add-ons Becoming Another Norm

Newly emerging figures are suggesting that additive deal making on behalf of private equity funds is no longer simply a significant contributor to the volume of U.S. middle market M&A activity, but that add-ons have become the primary means by which mid-size American businesses are now acquired.

According to PitchBook, compared to 15 years ago when less than 20% of buyouts globally were add-ons, so far this year they account for more than half, with this figure breaching two-thirds in the U.S. So, for a U.S. middle market business owner exiting their company this year, there is a significant chance the buyer will be a private equity firm aiming to bolt on the business to an already held platform company.

This clearly has huge implications for business owners picturing how they will one day exit their company. Given this shift in how and why middle market firms are acquired in the U.S., sellers will have to plan differently and look beyond their competitors as potential buyers.

For business owners with a limited understanding of the behavior of private equity funds, and the increasing complexity of exit transactions where private equity is involved, seeking professional advice on exit planning is now more essential than it has ever been.

The Traditional Model

When we consider M&A activity, we typically envision the situation where existing businesses expand their own operations on the ground by buying up competitors and associated businesses. The appeal of acquisitions to an operating business are quite clear:

Acqui-hiring: Recruitment can be costly and time consuming for businesses. By acquiring an associated business, the buyer effectively hires that company’s core of trained employees that are more prepared to hit the ground running.
Geographical expansion: Acquiring a business with a strong record in a target location can be a great way for a company to expand its reach while minimizing risk.
Economies of scale: Operating on a larger scale can deliver savings through the consolidation of job roles, and bulk buying of raw materials, wholesale items or goods not for resale and other such economies.
Diversification: By acquiring a business with a different focus from the buyer’s own, the buyer can introduce new functions onto their existing holdings immediately.
Supply chain: Acquiring a business that supplies yours, or even acquiring one that your business supplies, can cut costs or increase margins for the resulting entity.
Consolidation and alleviating risk: A consolidated business may have more capacity to take on larger contracts with larger partners. Such a business might also be offered some measure of stability and protection should they lose a key business partner.

In other words, good old-fashioned growth. You buy another business similar to your own to expand your operations, or an associated or disparate business to acquire new functions or capabilities. That much is clear. However, the market share represented by this traditional model is dwindling.

Same Game, New Players

This is despite the clear benefits of the approach and the fact that M&A activity is thriving. In fact, according to Deloitte:

“[A]bout 68 percent of executives at U.S. headquartered corporations and 76 percent of leaders at domestic based private equity firms say deal flow will increase in the next 12 months.”

However, rather than businesses buying other businesses, Dr. John Binkley has seen the M&A landscape shift with the rise of acquisitions through private equity funding. It may come as a surprise to many that private equity investment is now rivalling this traditional model in driving M&A. So, what has changed in terms of market benefits that a smaller percentage of acquisitions now stem from the corporate sector?

In an important sense, nothing has changed in the way that businesses benefit from consolidation. All the above benefits to expansion certainly still apply. These deals are still happening – and at record volumes – for the same reasons and achieving the same beneficial outcomes as they always have. All that has changed is the players involved. The difference lies in who is spotting the opportunities and building the deals.

What has occurred in the last decade is that the success and profitability in middle market M&A activity has attracted the attention of the substantial private equity funding that currently covers the market. Now, the players bolting these companies together are sophisticated “big picture” finance professionals who always have financial outcomes in sight – generating the maximum ongoing returns or divesting with the greatest profit.

What is in it for Private Equity?

But don’t these funds exist to dip in and out of industries, buying low and selling high? What interest would they have in buying a business as an add-on to another business that they have already acquired?

On the face of it, developing businesses with add-on acquisitions is the interventionist, labor-intensive, time-consuming activity you might not expect from private finance. However, where the returns justify it, PE has proved itself willing to roll up its sleeves and get involved.

According to an analyst note published earlier this year by PitchBook, the proportion of businesses held by private equity firms that have undertaken at least one add-on acquisition has increased from less than 20% in the early 2000s to over 30% in the first half of this year.

And the results for PE have been rewarding. Funds with a high proportion of add-on holdings have been posting greater returns than those with fewer such holdings. According to PitchBook, the two sample sets of add-on heavy funds that they analyzed demonstrated greater total value to paid-in ratios than less add-on loaded samples. The PitchBook report goes on to conclude that:

“36.3% of add-on funds beat the top-quartile hurdle rate, while just 10.0% of funds fell into the bottom-quartile, indicating that funds that employ the buy-and-build strategy generate superior returns.” Additive Dealmaking: Part II – An analysis of add-ons’ effect on fund performance PitchBook

So, with add-on heavy funds outperforming those with fewer add-ons, why wouldn’t PE pursue this buy-and-build policy through additive deal making? Over 25% of private equity add-on acquisitions are undertaken by funds that had already completed at least 5 add-on deals previously – demonstrating that those funds’ successes in pursuing buy-and-build made it worth their while to repeat the policy on multiple occasions.

Private Equity Influx Changing the Complexion of the M&A Market

With his vast experience in the industry, Dr. John Binkley interprets this move towards private equity add-on purchases as a culture shift within the industry that has been in the works for some time. Brokering business sales is no longer a matter between fellow business owners. The days of the business owner bowing out while negotiating a mutually beneficial deal with a local competitor are disappearing.

The current booming seller’s market remains a huge opportunity for sellers. The reason PE firms are clamoring after the American middle market is because it is so attractive and profitable to them right now. This level of demand can mean business sellers are in a position to realize extremely favorable valuations on their businesses, exiting with higher sums than they ever thought possible – but only with professional advice to match the shrewd business strategies of this professional buyer.

If you are a middle market business owner, exit planning warrants serious consideration. But without an understanding of your prospective buyer, that planning will be of little use. As we have seen, it is increasingly likely that your buyer will come from the private equity sector, and most business owners can be forgiven for having a limited understanding of how that sector operates.

Learning about the profile of your buyers is just one of the areas covered in Generational Equity’s complimentary conference – so arranging to attend could be a very wise move given the shifting complexion of the M&A market.