For many, a big part of the American dream has been to own one’s own business and pass it down to future generations.  At some point, any successful business owner has to decide if he or she is keeping the company and passing it down, or selling it to a third party who can enhance and expand his or her dream.

We take on the responsibility of making sure that the family business stays in the family for generations to come, or thrives under new ownership.

There is a very different plan if you are going to keep a company and transfer it than if you are going to sell it to a third party.  Planning for neither puts you in a position where outside forces will dictate your future,  exposing you not only to lost opportunities but also to millions of dollars in taxes that could negatively impact moving the business to the next generation.

With a new client, we start with the “keep sell grow” process.  We sit down together, evaluate the existing business and the family financial objectives, and determine what is the most appropriate way to take the business forward.  Is it most appropriate to keep it and give it to the next generation?  Are the children working in the company capable of taking on the business and managing its ongoing growth?  Or is it most appropriate to sell that business and create a new family enterprise to manage the liquidity the sale of that business created?

From this straightforward first conversation we are able to map out a meaningful plan of action and arm our clients with some extremely powerful tools.

Successful closely-held businesses reach a mature stage where owners must consider how the business aligns with their retirement plans, and whether keeping, selling, or growing the business is the best path forward. Factors to consider include succession planning, financial preparedness for retirement, market trends, and strategies for growth or sale. The Beringer Group offers expertise in navigating these complexities, providing unbiased analysis and recommendations tailored to each owner's unique situation. Click HERE to learn more about our “Keep, Sell Grow” analysis.

The Beringer Group has developed valuation models and has access to large transaction data bases that can give us insight into the prices paid for companies in the same industry/size as our client's company. This, along with other public data and industry trends, enables us to produce accurate indications of a company’s market value. Our process is a low cost solution for our client’s desire to choose the correct transaction a. they consider their options. Click HERE to learn more about our proprietary business valuation sevices.

The Beringer Group expertly guides cients through the thorough planning required to sell a business and to avoid unpleasant surprises in the critical moments at the end. We guide clients through presale actions and help clients understand the intricacies of the various liquidity options, such as selling to private equity groups, management teams, employees, or competitors. Additionally, we research the value drivers of the business and conduct pre-sale tax planning to ensure a tax-efficient outcome through structures like asset sales or leveraged recapitalization. Click HERE to learn more about how we can be of value in the various stages of selling a business.

Business owners often face the challenge of transitioning ownership while considering the interests of shareholders, employees, and family members. In the past, options were limited to selling to competitors, going public, or transferring to the next generation, which could be problematic for retiring owners, job security, and management heirs. However, owners currently have more diverse liquidity alternatives, including complex options requiring careful analysis like the "Keep/Sell Analysis" process developed by the Beringer Group. Successful transition transactions depend on factors like industry specifics and investor availability, but unplanned or poorly executed events can be costly and detrimental to all involved parties.

Many business owners in the USA are contemplating retirement or a second career earlier than ever before, especially when much of their assets are tied up in their company's net worth. While many wish to continue operating their businesses for some time, they also desire to diversify their asset portfolio. One solution is a "Private Equity Group Assisted Recapitalization," facilitated by investment funds known as Private Equity Groups (PEGs), which allows owners to sell a portion of their company while retaining control and potentially realizing future gains through strategic partnerships.

The Beringer Group, with extensive experience in aiding middle market companies, helps business owners navigate the challenge of securing working capital without diluting equity. Leveraging our relationships with various financial institutions, we tailor solutions such as blending senior and subordinated debt facilities, ensuring the best terms through a competitive bidding process, thus optimizing capital raise strategies for our clients.

In the United States, key managers often seek ownership stakes in their companies through stock purchase plans or buying shares, but this isn't always possible in closely-held or privately-owned businesses. When faced with divisional sales or closures, managers may lack the capital to buy out the division. However, the rise of Private Equity Groups (PEGs) has provided a positive alternative, allowing management teams to partner with PEGs for buyout transactions without pledging significant company assets.

For over thirty years, the firm has assisted business owners and family-owned businesses in resolving various family issues, often involving the exit or buyout of partners or family members. Solutions typically entail changes in ownership while maintaining the company's structure, such as enabling active managers to own more of the company or facilitating succession planning through fair market valuations and exit strategies. The firm specializes in implementing Internal Buyout Solutions and facilitating buyout transactions by leveraging unencumbered assets, third-party investments, or other financial solutions when funding for buying parties is lacking.

ESOPs, or Employee Stock Ownership Plans, are often misunderstood as an exit option for business owners due to concerns about employees' ability to fund the buyout. However, ESOPs are increasingly popular for providing liquidity to private companies in the USA. These plans, regulated by ERISA and IRS rules, offer significant tax advantages for both selling shareholders and companies, such as deferring capital gains taxes and allowing deductions for contributions used to repay ESOP loans. Despite their benefits, ESOP transactions are complex and require expert guidance to avoid penalties for errors or omissions, with firms like The Beringer Group offering specialized expertise in ESOP design and implementation.