CFA brochure - Corporate Finance Associates

WHO WE ARECFA is one of America’s largest and most successfulMergers and Acquisition (M&A) advisors.Since 1956, our mission has been to provide entrepreneurslike you with the professional representation needed toexecute a successful transaction. From the beginning,CFA’s clients have relied on our dealmaking expertise tosuccessfully negotiate thousands of transactions totalingbillions of dollars. During each of the numerous businesscycles CFA has experienced over the years, we’vecontinued to expand our presence in the M&A industry.Our organization has grown to over 30 offices in NorthAmerica and 12 international locations. With officesworldwide, CFA’s international reach and local expertisecan help achieve maximum value for you.

We are former business owners with a savvy mix of deal-making passion and expertise.Our CFA dealmakers are current or former businessowners, executives, investment bankers, accountants, andattorneys who understand the complex issues involved inbuying, selling or financing businesses. We bring practical,real-world experience in a broad range of industries as wellas advanced business education. We understand theconcerns and issues of our clients.

WHAT WE DOSeller Representation A professional approach to

maximizing valueBuyer Representation Building and growing your

company through intelligentacquisitions

Financing Resources Structuring a financingarrangement tailored toyour needs

Valuations Valuing closely held companiesaccurately, honestly, andclearly explained

Consulting Planning your exit strategy orproviding mergers andacquisitions technicalassistance on a project basis

WHY WE SUCCEEDWe know how to get you from where you are now to where you want to go.• We succeed by leveraging the experience and

professional collaboration of our many offices. • We succeed by being tenacious problem solvers.• We succeed by tapping into strategic alliances,

contacts, databases, research and industry affiliations. • We succeed by a commitment to the highest

standards in the M&A industry.

CFA Committed to Getting the Maximum Value for Our Clients

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“CFA is everything I couldhave asked for. They’reexperienced, intelligent,articulate, communicative,honest, fair-minded,persistent, prompt, diligentand well received byothers. Additionally, CFAhas an understanding ofaccounting and legalconcepts well beyond myexpectations. The buyer ofmy company also expressedtheir satisfaction indealings with CFA andsincere appreciation fortheir fairness and efforts onmy behalf.”

Bert PettyLedcor Petty Construction

Above all, we succeed because we understand our business andyour business.

Your entrepreneurial spirit has fueled the long journeyof building a great business.And what a ride it’s been. When you were starting out, you knewexactly what you wanted. You may not have known the specificroute you were going to take, but the drive to succeed was strong.Your creativity and ingenuity kept you going, even when theroad was rough. Your ability to listen and learn paved the way.You’ve built your company into your largest asset, and now you’refaced with a new challenge: What path should you take next?

CFA is ready to help you navigate your next path in life.For some business owners, the next path is to the sell thecompany. Ideally, you’ll turn the keys, responsibilities, and risksover to someone who can take your company to new levels andbeyond, allowing you to enjoy life in a different way whilepursuing your next destination. For some, the next step is togrow the business with a financial partner who reallyunderstands your company and where it needs to go. For others,it means a merger or divestiture of a product line or subsidiary.

Whatever your path, there are many roadblocks along the way.Being in unfamiliar territory with so much at stake requires expertadvice on such issues as valuation, feasibility, exit strategy, andmarketing strategy. CFA can help. We use a proven system toensure that your investment of hard work, long hours, risk, andsacrifice pays off.

We’ll help you sell your business to the right buyer.We understand the importance of the decision you are about tomake. Your company is a part of you and, in some cases, a partof the generations before you. We are privileged and preparedto be a part of your company’s history and to use our skill infinding the right buyer who shares your vision and values andhas the financial muscle to break through barriers.

CFA has an unparalleled database of proprietary buyers in everyindustry including high net worth individuals, strategic buyers,and the largest Private Equity Groups in the world.

We help you achieve maximum value for your business.CFA’s goal is to bring multiple offers to the tablesimultaneously in order to achieve maximum value. That’s whyCFA markets your business without an asking price. We neverwant to limit what the perfect buyer will pay in a competitiveenvironment. We take great care in presenting the realopportunity, which often goes beyond the financial statements.

We know what’s important to you.Beyond price and finding the right buyer, other critical areasinclude:

Confidentiality: Our system has been refined for decadestoward achieving the difficult combination of maximumexposure with the utmost confidentiality.

Minimum Business Interruption: The last thing we wantduring the selling process is for the business to stall becauseyour attention has been diverted. We manage the dealwhile you manage your business.

Professional Counsel: Selling a business is a complex processof analyzing, marketing, negotiating, and problem solving.CFA has dealmakers with front line experience and aninfrastructure providing research and support.

SELLING A BUSINESS


“The last few weeks have,once again, proven thatCFA is the masternegotiator. While CFA wasincreasing the price, theywere also selling the value ofour staff. The results havebeen far greater than weimagined. The new ownershave invited me to NewYork and Boston—they aregenuinely interested in ouropinions on manyoperations. This respect forour operation and us is anadded value to the deal. Iam convinced they arehappy with the acquisitionand I know that we aremore than pleased. CFAsucceeded in coordinating atruly win/win transaction.”

Jim SteinVP/GM TMP Worldwide

Selling your business is a once in a lifetime event, which meanssweating the details—no falsestarts, no shortcuts, just hard work and know-how.

Your company is poised for growth.You and your management team have built a company with astrong market presence. Business is now more fun than ever.New product lines. New markets. New cities. New heights.

Your platform acquisition is ready for add ons.You need quality deal flow nationwide. Timely. A smart andfocused search.

Your entrepreneurial spirit drives you to look for opportunities.Somewhere deep inside you, you’ve always had the drive to bea leader. Be your own boss. Take risks. Create something new.Experience success. It’s only natural that you would use yourbusiness savvy to buy a company.

CFA can be your immediate M & A and business development department.We are uniquely equipped to meet this challenge through ourin-house proprietary databases, proven search processes,national and international offices and in-depth industryknowledge.

Finding the right match is definitely a challenge. It requiresaccess to a large number of pre-qualified candidates. To assistyou, we’ll first understand your specific acquisitionrequirements—and even help you refine them. Then we’llconfidentially contact a wide range of prospective sellers, pre-screen them against your requirements and collect the type ofinformation on the company targets that you’ll need to makeyour decision to move forward.

Whether you’re pursuing a single acquisition or consolidation, your goals direct our search for prospects.CFA’s extensive qualification process saves you time and moneyin locating acquisition candidates. So, when a prospect has beenidentified and pre-qualified, the closest CFA office will conduct asite visit to further qualify the candidate and report to you ontheir expert findings. And, if you decide to proceed with anacquisition, we will be available to assist you in negotiations,financing and structuring the components of the transaction tothe degree you desire.

CFA can analyze a company, negotiate and close thedeal without competing with other buyers.By retaining CFA to proactively identify and approachprospective acquisition targets, we will frequently opendiscussions with companies that are not on the market andnot already talking with other buyers. This helps us give youa definite edge. It will significantly improve your chance ofacquiring the prospect and may considerably reduce yourinvestment cost. Consider CFA your strongest advocate whorepresents your interests and is dedicated to completing theprocess with a successful closing.

BUYING A BUSINESS


“CFA continuallyimpresses me with thedepth of their searchprocess and the quality ofcompanies they identify asacquisition candidates—across industries andgeography. In the severaltransactions in which wehave had CFArepresentation, their dealmakers have shownthemselves to be skilled inthe ‘art and science’ of thedeal. We appreciatedCFA’s professionalism andintegrity and count them asone of our key resources.Thanks CFA for yourgood work.”

Tom LeyManaging Director H.I.G. Capital, LLC

CFA’s thorough search andqualification process producesacquisition opportunities that never hit the market.

CFA can structure a financing arrangement to meet your goals:Acquisition Financing CFA has local banking contacts with

aggressive industry lenders who wantto grow with you.

Partnership Buy-Outs CFA’s approach establishes marketvalue and creates competitivebanking proposals.

Recapitalizations There are thousands of PrivateEquity Groups in the U.S. andabroad that consider recapitalizationto be the preferred acquisitionstructure.

Mezzanine Lending Most sizeable transactions will requiremultiple lending sources. CFAmaintains an up-to-date exhaustivelist of sub debt sources.

Cash Flow Financing When assets are not enough, thereare alternatives.

Our services for acquirers arespecialized, targeted and proven.CFA and our partners can help your company find the capitalrequired to complete acquisitions. We’ll help you raise thenecessary capital for the acquisition, including debt capital forsingle or multiple acquisitions or private placement of equitycapital. Our network of financing sources includes ongoingrelationships with private equity groups, merchant banks,subordinated debt providers and financial institutions, bothnationally and internationally.

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“My dealmaker helpedsecure the financing andcraft the financing structureso that I could afford torepay the debt. The dealcould have fallen apart sev-eral times, but he was ableto pull it out of the fire andresuscitate it. CFA under-stood both sides of the dealand, even though they wererepresenting the seller, theywere very instrumental inme being successful in get-ting the acquisition doneand in the long-term viabil-ity of the company.”

Tony WaldBuyer of The ThompsonCompany

CFA offers creative solutions for growth financing.You may be wondering what’s the appropriate financing for yourcompany’s needs. Even if you’ve got a handle on that, do you feelcomfortable knowing that you can find investors or lenders? Ofcourse, you’ll need to know the advantages and disadvantages ofequity and debt financing. Yes, financing is tricky.

Financing growth can be a tall order. It means attractinginvestors and building financial partnerships that ensure yourlong-term success. CFA can help you understand what youneed, what’s possible and how to get it at the best value. We’lllink you with capital sources to help you stay competitive. Ourfinancing capability creates solutions that bring growthstrategies to life.

Our services for business owners provide many options and opportunities.CFA and our partners offer business owners access to manyforms of capital. From senior credit facilities to growth capitaland mezzanine funding, we can help craft the right packagewith the right team for your business.

Recapitalizations are one of CFA’s specialties. We can bring anarray of recapitalization sources to your company, allowing youto take maximum cash from the business, eliminate personalguarantees, maintain significant ongoing ownership andproviding growth capital to keep you competitive. Each recapis unique and is crafted to fulfill individual requirements.

F INANCING A BUSINESS

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When your business needs financing,timing is critical. CFA has the rightcontacts to deliver the financing youneed when you need it.


THE CFA EDGE

Leveraging Experience and ResourcesCorporate Finance Associates is one of the oldest and largestmiddle-market investment banking firms in North America.For over 50 years we have been facilitating deals thatmaximize value for our clients while earning trust andbuilding long-term relationships.

Over the years we have perfected our processes, grown ourorganization and expanded our reach around the globe. Neverresting on our success, we are ready to guide you through everychallenge, advocate on your behalf, and leverage our company’swealth of experience and resources to see you through to asuccessful close. The following distinctions enable CFA toprovide services that create enhanced value for our clients.

We have a Global FootprintEach year we continue to grow our global presence andinfluence by leveraging decades of international investmentbanking experience. With over 30 offices spanning NorthAmerica and a dozen partners in Europe we help businesssellers find the right buyer through a search and qualifyingprocess that is multinational in scope. Firms looking for growth,both nationally and internationally, attain M&A objectives bytapping into our business buyer services.

We are Independent AdvisorsOur commitment to remaining independent from anyinvestment or lending affiliates ensures that we deliverunbiased guidance. It also helps to increase competition amongpotential buyers and promotes maximum competition amonglending sources, helping to fully leverage value for our clients.

Principals are Active in all Phases of the AssignmentServing as your partner throughout all phases of the selling,buying or financing process, your CFA principal manages eachengagement locally and remains integrally involved in allphases of the assignment. For every client, a CFA seniorprincipal provides guidance and advice from project inceptionto completion.

Distinguished Track Record for SuccessWe have been helping companies buy, sell, and obtainfinancing for their businesses for over 50 years. Our tenure hasgiven us the industry specific knowledge and experience youare looking for in an advisor. To achieve your goals we promoteinnovative solutions, identify new opportunities, and devisespecific plans to get you where you want to be. Our track recordis a half century of CFA principals providing personalizedservice to complete complex transactions that connect theright buyer with the right seller.

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“CFA was very dedicatedand tenacious in selling mybusiness. Our advisor'sattention was vital in keep-ing us from inadvertentlygiving away our position orour intellectual property. Heprofessionally managed eachand every step of the trans-action process. His practi-cal, broad-based businessexperience and good judg-ment gave us a high level ofconfidence in having himmanage the sale. His abilityto oversee the due diligenceprocess was essential to get-ting the transaction consum-mated. We are more thanpleased to recommendCorporate FinanceAssociates to others.”

Ron MillerSeller of West CoastPacking & Crating

At CFA, our principals providepersonalized service tocomplete complex transactionsthat connect the right buyerwith the right seller.

CFA brochure - Corporate Finance Associates

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