Selling Your Business
Our sell-side success for clients can be attributed to our depth and scope of experience, ability to structure the sales process advantageously and our strong work ethic. We apply rigorous analysis, comprehensive buyer research, professional marketing, coordination of due diligence and our negotiation skills to maximize proceeds and minimize retained liabilities and risk. Attention to details from managing tax issues to post-closing adjustments ensures that no money is left on the table.
Successful Closings
The divergent interests of buyers and sellers make closing deals unnatural events. Sellers are looking to optimize valuations and buyers are trying to minimize their purchase price. When sellers push buyers to the brink from a pricing perspective, scrutiny in due diligence increases exponentially. That scrutiny magnifies problems related to financial performance and projections, accounting, environmental compliance, customer concentration, employment agreements, and non-compete agreements.
ATA has a proven track record of managing this conversation and due diligence to ensure those issues don’t become deal-killers. We’re focused on keeping deals moving forward and protecting our client’s interests.
Non-price Terms
Issues such as post-closing balance sheet adjustments, survival periods, representations and warranties, indemnifications and liability baskets and deductibles all have a significant effect on both the net proceeds received and the amount of risk retained by the seller post-closing. Accordingly, we devote significant attention to the non-economic terms in the purchase agreement to ensure that our clients receive the most favorable contract terms.
Negotiation
For most business owners a sale of a business is a once-in-a-lifetime event. We've made careers out of doing it. This experience enables us to help clients navigate deals with more continuity, strategic foresight and tactical acumen. We’re comfortable pushing a buyer to the brink, but also know when to compromise in order to keep deals on track. The net result is a better sale price and the relationship between our client and the buyer is maintained, especially important during the transition period.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is a deliberate part of every step of our marketing process in order to avoid disruption to management and employees and to maintain positive relationships with customers and suppliers. Everyone requesting confidential information is required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement.
For competitors that are included in the process, we tailor the timing of our approaches and marketing materials in order to ensure that sensitive information is not placed in the wrong hands.
Expedited Closings
In deal making, time is the enemy. Hazards, including macroeconomic changes or developments specific to our clients' businesses or markets, can negatively impact a deal with the passage of time. We prepare to sell and then expeditiously execute a sale process in order to reduce risks.
Minimize Disruption
During the marketing process, it is essential that our clients' businesses continue to achieve the aggressive strategic and financial goals set by management and communicated to potential buyers. Our collaborative role minimizes disruptions and burdens on the seller so they can continue to focus on running their business effectively.
Our Leadership
Darrell Butler
Founder and Managing Director
Aaron Nowak
Managing Director
John Lahti
Managing Director
Marci Butler
Chief Financial Officer
Andrew Winick
Managing Director
Andrew Samuels
Vice President
Patrick Loeffler
Senior Analyst
(312) 559-1907
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