• Mergers & Acquisitions

The support of our often medium-sized clients in the purchase or sale of entire companies or parts of companies is the core area of ifas. Together with our network partners (lawyers, auditors, tax advisors, etc.), ifas covers the entire value chain of a transaction, from initiation and contract conclusion to integration or disintegration. The last section in particular often determines the success of the transaction.

Our M&A assignments typically include various phases of a transaction (using a sale as an example):

  • Phase 1: Preparatory activities

    • Taking stock of the current situation of the company in terms of performance and finances, in particular with regard to any investment and financing needs that may exist
    • Review and supplementation of the company’s existing financial planning model
    • Discussion with management or shareholders about preferences and objectives regarding the proposed transaction.
    • Preparation of an information memorandum in German or English tailored to the interests of the relevant business sector
    • Carrying out an indicative company valuation and deriving a purchase price indication to support the negotiating position with potential investors

  • Phase 2: Exploration of potential interested parties

    • Compilation of a list of potential investors (e.g. strategic investors, financial investors with strategic objectives) as well as other financing partners (mezzanine / debt capital) taking into account a jointly developed list of criteria
    • Determination of a short list and implementation of the (possibly initially anonymous) approach to investors and other financing partners
    • Conclusion of confidentiality agreements and, if necessary, selective provision of information material

  • Phase 3: Initiation and support of the transaction process in a narrower sense

    • Initiation and support of management discussions with investors and other financing partners interested in participation
    • Development of a process letter
    • Preparation and negotiation of one or more letters of intent with the interested investor(s) and other financing partners.
    • Support in the compilation of required documentation on the company and establishment of a corresponding data room (due diligence) and, if necessary, analysis of the documents laid out in the data room (pre due diligence)
    • Proposal of consultants of related disciplines (legal, tax, human resources, etc.), as far as a need should arise in the preparation and implementation of this transaction, as well as coordination of their activities
    • Coordination of due diligence processes on the part of potential investors
    • Coordination of the planned structure and its implementation from a tax and legal perspective with the relevant specialist advisors in each case
    • Coordination, preparation as well as advisory support of the negotiations until closing / signing

  • Phase 4: Implementation or settlement of the corporate transaction, e.g.

    • Information of the employees concerned
    • Monitoring the achievement of the objectives of the transaction
    • Advisory function for integration or disintegration

ifas coordinates the various parties involved in the transaction and is your personal contact during the process.

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