"I would like to express my complete satisfaction with Trudeau & Trudeau
managing the sale of our company.
This transaction was the 3rd company my family members and I have sold.
In all of these other transactions we have used M&A firms to
facilitate the transaction but none in my experience have come close to
the thoroughness and professionalism that we experienced with Trudeau &
Trudeau.
At 3-D Machining, we run a very lean operation which doesn’t leave a lot
of spare time for taking on all of the added work load involved in
selling a business. The Trudeau
team has developed a very systematic approach to the process and they
supported our staff with their resources to keep the process flowing
which ultimately maximized our gain from the sale.
They flawlessly orchestrated a deal that met our objectives we
outlined in our first meeting with them.
My family and I look
forward to working with T&T again on another deal in the future.
I highly recommend Trudeau & Trudeau to anyone considering selling their
business."
Jim
Davis Jr.
President
3-D
Machining Inc.
¡
"I have worked with Trudeau & Trudeau
for the past few years regarding a variety of M&A projects. They
have exhibited significant knowledge of our industry and certainly
understand the sensitive dynamics involved in directing and managing an
M&A transaction. They skillfully
maneuvered us through some very difficult and sensitive negotiations
both internally among our shareholders as well as with the other
parties.
In the beginning of the relationship, Mike Trudeau stressed the
importance of looking after the interest of both parties in a deal, not
just the one paying his fees. His
actions in every deal have certainly reflected that he believes and
practices this philosophy which creates a win-win for those involved.
In my previous position with a Fortune 300 company, I was part of the
business development team which was responsible for developing and
implementing the global strategy, including all merger and acquisition
activity. In this role, I had the
opportunity to work with many M&A professionals.
Based on my experience, the Trudeau team is at the top of the
list of the best advisors in the business."
Keith
D. Rodden
President
The
Matrixx Group
"As Vice President and head of M&A for Spectrum Control, Inc.
(NASDAQ: SPEC) I have had the pleasure to work with the Trudeau team
since our first transaction with them in 2004. Since then, I have
found the Trudeau organization to be professional, knowledgeable,
and very responsive. Upon the completion of this latest transaction
of Advanced Thermal Products (ATP), the Trudeau group continues to
impress us with the quality of the companies they have brought us
and the way in which they are presented.
Their 25 years of experience in the M&A advisory business is
apparent. We look forward to continuing our relationship with them
in the future."
¡
Bob McKenna
Sr. VP, New
Business & Resource Development
Spectrum
Control
"My partner and I founded our company in the early 80’s. After
nearly 30 years, I decided that it was time to retire and exit the
business. We interviewed several firms and with the recommendation
of our attorney, we retained Trudeau & Trudeau to sell our company.
We had never sold a company before and were not familiar with the
procedure.
The Trudeau team orchestrated every step of the selling process from
positioning the company with the right potential suitors to
negotiating the major elements in the purchase agreement.
T&T’s guidance and recommendations throughout the process were
proven to be particularly accurate in all respects. My partner and I
would highly recommend the firm."
¡
Ed Riley
President
Riley Medical
"In my career, I have worked on many acquisitions and divestitures,
but never with the timely and efficient results that I experienced
working with Trudeau & Trudeau on Symmetry’s latest acquisition of
Riley Medical. Their professionalism and responsiveness allowed the
deal to progress without any major problems which was underscored by
their strong communication skills.
I would highly recommend T&T for any work involving the buying or
selling of businesses and all related activities. They were truly a
pleasure to work with!"
Michael W. Curtis
VP/General Manager, Polyvac Division
Symmetry Medical
¡
"In 2000, we engaged T&T as our M&A advisor to lead our acquisition
program. Teknor's growth through acquisition has been a multi-year
process of identifying the type of candidate companies that we were
seeking, determining those that fit our criteria and our culture and
then actively pursuing them, some for several years. The T&T team
has skillfully managed this process for Teknor resulting in two
successful acquisitions.
During this latest deal, they were instrumental in finessing the
problems and making the deal happen during Christmas week when all
other parties said it had a zero percent chance. To help us get the
ball over the goal line, and through this total process, T&T has
been our coach, our quarterback and our blocker."
John Fain
President
Teknor Apex Company
"Our interest in seeking investment partners and recapitalizing
our company faced certain hurdles that some of your competitors
saw as insurmountable. Restrictions from our accrediting
commission presented time constraints that even we thought would
jeopardize a successful closing. We believed our pricing
expectations were fair but given the poor economic times, we
were uncertain if obtaining a fair value was possible.
Thankfully, this perceived adversity did not break the
confidence, professionalism, and determination of your firm.
Your experience with this process combined with a consistently
positive attitude clearly helped us cross the finish line. You
ran a process that was well planned and executed.
I was especially impressed with T&T in helping us partner with
the right buyer that shared our vision and culture. We are
excited about our new team and the opportunities that are in
front of us. I would recommend Trudeau to anyone in need of a
full service M&A advisory firm, committed to getting the deal
done."
Josh Taves
Former President
Javelin Learning Systems
"The professionals at Trudeau & Trudeau guided the
shareholders of our school through the selling process from
the beginning to end. T&T sifted through many would-be
suitors and found the right buyer willing to pay a top price
for our business and then managed the process on a daily
basis to ensure success.
This deal would not have happened without the involvement
and experience of T&T."
Roger Bradley
President
Career Training Institute
¡"As
an attorney that specializes in the Career College
industry, I have experienced the performance of quite a
few M&A advisors. I represented the shareholders of
Javelin on this deal and I must say that T&T rises above
the pack as they achieved an exceptionally favorable price
and sale terms for our mutual client in a very difficult
economic climate.
While other M&A advisory firms serving the postsecondary
education sector had offered the view that Javelin was
saleable only at very modest price, T&T accepted the
challenge and achieved a premium price in a transaction
that was completed in less than four months. They are a
very impressive firm."
Neil Lefkowitz
Attorney
Dickstein Shapiro, LLP
¡
"Having completed over 60 acquisitions, our team has
developed great respect for firms like Trudeau and Trudeau
who hold themselves and those around them to a high standard
of ethics, professionalism and respect for all parties to a
transaction. While
our transaction experienced the inevitable “bumps in the
road”, the T&T team handled the respective parties and the
difficult issues by promoting a spirit of partnership as we
worked together to resolve the challenges.
We took great comfort knowing that an experienced T&T team
was involved in the process, leading us all to a successful
transaction."
S. Ryan Heckman
Senior Partner
Excellere Partners
"The professionals at Trudeau & Trudeau advised me as a
sole shareholder of my school through the entire deal
process from beginning to end. They found the right
buyer for our school, helped me negotiate a favorable
selling price, and then closely managed the final phase
of the process to ensure that the deal had a successful
outcome.
These guys have impressive skills and I would recommend
them highly."
Mike LeMaster
President
RETS Technical Training Center
"A quick note of thanks and to say that T&T
performed as advertised.
This was a major step in the life cycle of
our business and taking this step could have been
highly stressful for us and it was not.
The T&T team was always there when we needed
you to offer support and to keep the process moving
forward.
I can’t argue with results, and that’s what you
delivered – a successful deal!
Your knowledge of this sector was extremely
valuable to the process. You’re ability to identify
qualified buyers and bring them to the table was
impressive.
Thanks again for your professionalism and skills in
the merger and acquisition field.
We’re on to the next phase in the growth of
this business and the future looks very exciting
thanks to your efforts.
I highly recommend T&T to anyone considering the
sale of their business."
Chris Hutchings
President
Madison Media Institute
"I have known T&T since April 2008 when I was in
the audience at a PCCS Conference presentation
that they delivered on the subject of mergers
and acquisitions.
At the time I was considering the sale of
my school.
They explained that
T&T uses a highly organized and
systematic approach that generates legitimate
and qualified buyers allowing the seller to
select the right buyer rather than simply
settling for one.
Shortly thereafter, I hired T&T to represent me
in the sale of my school. Their methodical
process generated a multitude of offers to buy
the school from a diverse group of potential
buyers. The analytical screening tools that T&T
utilized revealed certain characteristics and
data about each buyer which gave me with the
opportunity to choose the buyer that not only
met my financial expectations but also satisfied
other criteria such as my requirement to
preserve the school and the staff.
During the course of due diligence and
negotiations, the T&T team was very active in
keeping the deal moving forward and on-track.
The day before the closing they conferred with
the buyer’s legal counsel and creatively
resolved a last minute problem which could have
delayed or killed the deal.
Throughout the process T&T was a steadying
influence on all parties and their sense of
humor was always appreciated. I
highly recommend the T&T team to advise
you on the sale of your business."
Thomas D. Treacy
President
Antonelli Institute
¡
"Mike and his firm lived and
breathed our transaction every step of the way. In understanding the
details, he was able to negotiate the big picture that enabled us to gain
strategic advantage in the areas most important to us."
Jim Morrison
CFO
Teknor Apex Company
"As Vice President of Business Development for Teknor Apex, I have worked
with Mike Trudeau and his firm, Trudeau & Trudeau, over a 4 year period, as
our M&A advisor. As a result of their efforts, we completed two significant
acquisitions. Both were "cross border" transactions; one in Europe and the
other in Asia. The recent European deal -Chem Polymer Ltd- was actually two
individual transactions including the purchase of both a USA and UK business
and very complex.
T&T found the right target, brought it to our attention, and handled many of
the delicate negotiations required to complete the two transactions within a
very tight time frame. Mike and his colleagues bring energy, business
skills, and negotiating prowess to the "deal making" process that makes them
invaluable to a company like Teknor Apex.
We're all very excited to start the 2005 New Year with a significant
addition to our portfolio. While for reasons beyond my control, I sat on
sidelines for much of this transaction, however it was again clear to me (as
it was in the Asian deal) that this never would have come together on a
timely basis without his orchestration in the background and his handling of
the tough infighting in the clinches. My congratulations to he and his firm
on a "job well done" and for helping TA reach for its destiny."
Robert Brookman
Vice President of Business Development
Teknor Apex Company
"This is being written for
potential clients of Trudeau & Trudeau Associates, Inc.
I have had a long career in chemicals and plastics manufacturing around the
world with responsibilities in all continents. I have worked at Board level
in both major public and private companies. During that time I have been
involved in or responsible for either the sale or purchase of more than
twenty businesses and have, therefore, extensive experience of advisors.
These range from giants such as J P Morgan through to individuals.
With the above experience I feel qualified to comment on the performance of
Mike Trudeau and his firm who was advisor for the purchaser of the major
part of our business. Also, based on that experience, I believe there to be
only three major factors on which to focus when selecting an advisor;
personality, doggedness, and creativity.
Personality is important as there are many instances during a transaction
when tempers can and do get frayed. This is even truer in private companies
where owners are selling their “baby” in contrast with a corporate manager
selling an unwanted division. At such times it is vital that the chemistry
between the principal and advisor is good. I watched this from the other
side during our recent transaction and saw that Mike Trudeau had excellent
relationships with his client. But, more than that, his personality was such
that it extended to our side that considerably smoothed difficult patches.
He was also especially good with dealing with our advisor maintaining a
professional “it is our job to get this done” approach throughout.
This then demonstrated the doggedness needed to force everyone to keep going
when difficulties arise or delays occur. This was even more strongly
demonstrated in this case as Trudeau & Trudeau made the first approach
almost four years before we eventually sold; a persistence, which paid off
for their client.
The last factor, creativity, becomes necessary towards the closing stages
where both sides have an approximate idea on value but there remains a gap
to be bridged. Against an emotionally charged background a good advisor will
always find ways to reach an agreement that satisfies all parties. Many
deals fall down at this point even after massive effort should that
creativity not exist. Mike Trudeau not only had this skill but also had the
ability to take on board and help his client with the creative ideas of
others."
K.G.Sansom
Chairman
Ladybug Group Limited (UK)
"Our current and past dealings
with Trudeau & Trudeau can be summarized as both efficient and pragmatic.
From the first steps of project scope through to the delicate stages of
negotiation we feel comfortable with the role played by T&T. All aspects of
the service are delivered with the right level of commitment and
straightforwardness, which such activities deserve. I would have no
hesitation in recommending their service to you for any aspect of your
corporate transactional activity. The friendly way in which work is carried
out is an additional bonus.
Should you require any further information or assistance please do not
hesitate to contact me."
Chris Hopkinson
Director – Business Development
Industrial Polymers Division
British Vita plc
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