Venture capital and private equity firms are becoming increasingly important for companies. At Claassen Moolenbeek & Partners we meet and work with PE firms more and more. It is in the interest of both the PE firm and the acquired company that an acquisition is a success. As a trusted resource partner, we can make an important contribution.
There are many PE firms and they are all different. It is important that we get to know each other well before we start working for you. We will support you where necessary and work with you in a way that is driven by the DNA, principles and practices of the PE firm. Claassen Moolenbeek & Partners can support you in all phases of an acquisition, before, during and in preparation for an exit. But you may decide that you want to do many things yourself. That’s what we mean by Trusted Resource Partner; we want to get to know you well enough to know what the company itself can and wants, and then fit in seamlessly.
The number of acquisistions that are generally unsuccessful is over 65%. For PE, this percentage will be lower because the partners of the PE firm are often much more involved in the deal. Nevertheless, this illustrates the fragility of the acquisition and integration process. For the
PE firm, fundraising and investor relations are obviously critical. It helps if you can convince investors with a successful track record from acquisition to exit.
A successful acquisition starts before the purchase. The purpose of the purchase is clear, and then follows the process of market exploration and evaluation, research, structuring and closing.
The integration phase, from the signing of the contract, is critical to success. After all, the contract is a record of agreements and mutual expectations. Introducing the PE firm to the portfolio company, setting the right priorities, retaining scarce staff, developing the
strategic plan and monitoring its implementation, the many facets of compliance, possible separation from the former group, etc. are all issues that cannot wait.
Depending on the firm’s objectives, an exit may be shorter or longer. In all cases, you will want to demonstrate that the business is worth more now than when you bought it. There is often a lot to do before this happens. Think about integrating newly acquired businesses, restructuring, absorbing management turnover, improving information and processes. And, last but not least, carefully preparing the business for sale.
Claassen Moolenbeek & Partners has an extensive relationship network and its more than 50 affiliated partners bring a wide range of sector knowledge and expertise. For more than 40 years, Claassen Moolenbeek & Partners has specialised in strategy, project management, management guidance, purchase and sale advice, valuation and financing. All areas of interest to the PE firm and its portfolio companies as well.
For more than 10 years, partners at Claassen Moolenbeek & Partners have been closely involved in making various acquisitions by PE firms a success, ranging from individual undertakings to complex carve-outs. Depending on the need, we get involved as early as the moment when comprehensive draft acquisition and financing agreements are on the table, or only when a management position in one of the portfolio companies cannot be filled internally. We are highly flexible and transfer our knowledge and production to the organisation in question. This is what we call being a Trusted Resource Partner for you as a PE firm and for the management of your companies.
Depending on the initial situation, we coordinate the services with you.
The partners of Claassen Moolenbeek & Partners work for several portfolio companies. The cases described relate to our activities in complex acquisitions and integrations for private equity firms and complement the strategy, acquisition and financing cases on the other pages of the Claassen Moolenbeek & Partners website. The activities described in the case studies are not always from a single company, often similar activities in several companies are described in one article. The setting is international, the experience extends to an active involvement in companies outside of Western Europe.
The case studies describe how we have fulfilled our role as a trusted resource partner in (carve-out) acquisitions. It starts, of course, with a private equity firm looking at a particular market where it sees opportunities to acquire companies and add value. Often the firm will add companies to create a larger group. The PE firm may ask us to help formulate a strategy for a particular market, to find companies that fit that strategy and to advise on negotiations. All CM&P partners are involved in strategy, acquisitions and financing, often with specific sector knowledge.
Claassen, Moolenbeek & Partners
Rietbeemdenborch 18
5241 LG Rosmalen
Tel : 088 – 26 36 700
office@cmenp.nl