Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions "Merging differences across the board"

Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions "Merging differences across the board"

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The business world is becoming more challenging and it comes with many potential pitfalls. That is why we want you to take advantage of our knowhow to get the best deal possible when dealing with complex transactions.

Whether you are disposing of a business or thinking of acquiring one, we will help you to make sure the deal is sealed. We also help businesses that are seeking to invest in or those needing help in dealing with investors.

Our key areas of practice include:

  • Pre-merger/acquisition strategic analysis
  • Transaction structuring and negotiation
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Buy and sell side legal due diligence
  • Share sale/share purchase agreements
  • Business sale/business purchase agreements
  • Shareholders' agreement
  • Private equity investment
  • Venture capital
  • Angel investor funding
  • Due diligence
  • Joint ventures
  • General corporate advisory
  • Corporate governance
  • Corporate reorganisations
  • Corporate compliance programs
  • Start-up business essential tool kits (founders agreements, employee stock options, subscription agreements)

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I consider if I am interested in buying over another business?
If you are a potential purchaser looking to take over another business, one of the most important considerations is to determine the manner in which you are to purchase the business. This may be through (a) purchasing the shares of the company comprising the business; (b) purchasing particular assets of the business from the company; or (c) purchasing the business of the company as a whole.
What actions should I take prior to merging with or purchasing another business?
As a purchaser, you would need to consider the residual liabilities that you would be taking with you upon completion of the sale and purchase transaction. This may be ascertained by way of undertaking a due diligence exercise on the target’s business. Due diligence is an investigation or audit exercise carried out by your advisors (legal, tax, financial etc) on the target company. Due diligence on the target company would cover the following areas, namely, corporate information, financial position, contracts, properties, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, insurance, litigation as well as employment. Further to the above, it advisable that you should appoint a lawyer to negotiate your share purchase agreement/ asset purchase agreement/ business purchase agreement. A well negotiated share purchase agreement/ asset purchase agreement/ business purchase agreement should include a set of warranties and indemnities to protect your interests and rights (as a seller) and to minimise your liabilities and risks (as a purchaser).
What actions do I need to take prior to selling a business?
As the purchaser would be given access to proprietary and confidential information relating to the target company (e.g. suppliers contracts, price list, etc.) during its due diligence exercise, it is important to ensure that the purchaser signs a properly-drafted non-disclosure agreement prior to kicking off the due diligence exercise to restrict the purchaser from disclosing or using the proprietary and confidential information. This is especially so when the purchaser is also a competitor of the target company. Further to the above, it is advisable that you should appoint a lawyer to negotiate your share sale agreement/ asset sale agreement/ business sale agreement to ensure that the agreement protects your interest as a seller. Your lawyer should endeavour to negotiate for you a limited set of pre-closing conditions, favourable payment terms, a limited and narrow scope of warranties and indemnities, etc.
How long will it take to sell my business?
The mergers and acquisitions process requires careful planning. There are many factors which may potentially affect the timing for exchanging of contracts and completion of a sale and purchase transaction. This includes the size of the deal transaction, the extensiveness of the purchaser’s due diligence exercise, the willingness of both parties (i.e. the seller and the purchaser) to compromise and to reach a balance position, the readiness of the seller to coordinate with the purchaser, whether the target company’s financials and contracts are well documented, etc. It is also advisable to have a strong and competent team of advisors to ensure a smooth sale and transitioning of the business and to avoid any unnecessary delays.
How can a target company be valued?
There are a few methods in which a company may be valued. This includes:
  1. Debt free/ cash free valuation:
  2. Cash free, debt free by its simplest definition means that when a buyer purchases a company and its assets, it is on the basis that the seller will pay off all debt and extract all excess cash prior to completion of the transaction. Suitable for Buyer who just want to buy over the assets/clientele etc.
  3. Net asset value:
  4. Net asset value (NAV) is the value of an entity's total assets minus its total liabilities. Suitable for assets heavy target.
  5. Earning:
  6. This is based on the net earnings of the target and will most likely have earning multiple applied to it. Suitable for trading/service sector target.
  7. Replacement cost:
  8. A replacement cost is based on the assumption that the costs required for a business to re-establish itself to the present state.
  9. Comparative ratios:
  10. Comparable ratio analysis is based on comparing companies based on similar metrics (earnings, net assets value etc.) to determine their company value.
  11. Combination:
  12. A combination of the methods above to determine an average valuation for the target.
These are the main methods but there are other valuation methodology may be more relevant depending on the target and objective’s of the client. Valuation is more of an art than a science and more often than not, valuation exercise will use multiple methods instead on single method. Hence inputs from accountant could be helpful for the buyer in the negotiation process. It is advisable to engage and consult an accountant with respect to the best method for valuation of a company.
Do I need a lawyer?
A merger or an acquisition is a complex process which almost always require the involvement of a lawyer. If you are purchasing a company, you will need legal advice to minimise your exposure against residual liabilities after the sale is completed. If you are a seller, you will need legal advice to minimise the risk of any claims being brought against you by the purchaser after the sale is completed.

We can help you with your corporate transaction matters. Contact us online or at 603-7621 4447 to schedule a free consultation


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