FMV & ASSOCIÉS has been advising its clients from day one on their strategy for external growth, focusing on both asset and share deals, i.e. :
- Acquisition of all or part of the shares of a target company
- Acquisition of tangible and/or intangible assets
Targets can be chosen by the client or found by FMV & ASSOCIÉS. For the latter, a research mission should be led before running through an acquisition mandate. More details can be found about a research mission in the appropriate chapter.
FMV & ASSOCIÉS will then contact each potential target company with the following goals :
1. Ascertaining the willingness of the shareholders to sell all or part of their shares or, alternatively, any key assets.
2. If appropriate, assisting in the structuring of any bid including negotiation of the consideration.
3. Advising on and guiding the client through all stages of the financial, tax and legal audits.
4. Taking a proactive approach toward finding optimum solutions to legal (including warranties), tax and financial (MBO, MBI, LBO, ...) issues.
5. Helping its client bring negotiations to a successful conclusion.
During each step, FMV & ASSOCIÉS adheres by strict rules of professional conduct, acting solely in line with the client's instructions, on its behalf, and is paid by no other party.
Depending on the level of complexity, the acquisition process will frequently take between 6 to 12 months to conclude and execute a definitive Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA).
Breakdown of a typical project time line :
- Identifying target companies, first discussions : one to two months,
- First data analysis leading to the presentation of an indicative offer : two to four months,
- Signing of a MoU if appropriate,
- Valuation fine-tuning and audits, final offer : two to four months,
- Legal document preparation and negotiation : one to two months.
