LET US HELP YOU NEGOTIATE A WIN-WIN OUTCOME.

ReGroup Solutions , 12 Aug 2020 Ian’s client was a director who had been in business for 51 years as cladding contractor. The Company had up to 100 employees working from owned factory premises and on-site at large commercial building sites nationally. The Director had been thinking of succession and made contact with Ian to investigate the sales potential of his long-standing and reputable business. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis struck and the Company’s supply chain was severely impacted. The Director sought the advice of a registered liquidator, who recommended external administration. The Director’s hopes of achieving a positive sale quickly diminished and the position with the bank meant there was now a serious risk he would lose his family home.  Operating nationally, Benchmark has a huge database of prospective buyers and Ian had already generated significant genuine interest by drafting an impressive Information Memorandum and selectively negotiating with several key interested parties. Ian was concerned over the liquidator’s advice to his Client. The Director was being pressured into placing the company into voluntary administration (which Ian could see was premature and too drastic). Ian had identified his Client’s potential and felt that any insolvency procedure would unnecessarily destroy the company’s goodwill and asset values.  ReGroup Solutions would like to give a huge thanks to Ian for referring his client, the Director, to us for a second opinion. After conducting our preliminary analysis, ReGroup Solutions advised the Director on his capacity to utilise the ‘insolvency safe harbour’ under section 588GA. The new legislation, effective since September 2017, provides directors with protection from insolvent trading personal liability whilst they explore a range of restructuring and turnaround strategies. This enabled the Director to continue trading his business so that a ‘going concern’ sale could still be actively pursued by Ian. This meant Ian could still maximise the outcome for his Client by continuing his strategic negotiations.  ReGroup Solutions provided initial crisis management advice and then proceeded to investigate the various restructuring and turnaround options with the Director. The insolvency Safe Harbour provided the director with breathing space and enabled Ian Haggerty to continue his negotiating with key interested parties. The team at ReGroup Solutions worked closely with Ian Haggerty throughout the entire process – despite being an extremely complex matter, made worst by the COVID crisis, we’re delighted to say that Ian successfully negotiated a tremendous outcome for his Client!   Ian lead the way in agreeing a sale of his Client’s business, assets and the large factory premises. This not only meant the majority of workforce kept their jobs but the indebtedness to the bank could also be fully satisfied. The Director’s home was no longer at risk and Ian’s Client stands to walk away with potential surplus of $1.5m. The deal stands to return 100c in the dollar to trade creditors. Ian even secured his client a two year consultancy position with the purchaser - and at an exceptional rate! Ian’s Client can now take a well-deserved step back, with his impeccable reputation intact.   On a personal level, it was an absolute pleasure collaborating with a skilled negotiator such as Ian. The very purpose of the insolvency Safe Harbour is to help the director find a ‘better outcome’ for all stakeholders by utilising a skilled team of professionals. In this particular case, Ian was able to get an outstanding outcome for his Client on multiple levels. This was despite the extremely difficult and volatile market conditions.  Congratulations to Ian Haggerty on what has ended up being a landmark Safe Harbour win for his Client! Ian Haggerty receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Ian was the Managing Director/Owner of Pipe Shield, a specialised pipeline inspection, maintenance, rehabilitation company. Ian sold his business to Veolia. He has also worked internationally for companies such as Trafalgar Water Inc., where he was a consultant to a number of North American companies within the utilities, services and water industries where his main role of operations was in mergers and acquisitions, consolidation proposals, market analysis, securing funding for growth, and new technology introduction and acceptance. Get to know more about Ian Haggerty and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Ian Haggerty is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Jacob’s tenacity and perseverance played a key part in finalising our deal. He managed to structure a deal that best worked for us and secured a strong long term Tenant. We are very happy with the result and Jacob’s hard work. If you are looking for someone to assist you in selling or leasing a service station, we can’t recommend him enough.  Philip Morton

Tracey Bond , 12 Dec 2018 I was so pleased when I followed a recommended from a colleague to utilise Benchmark for the sale of my salon. Throughout the process I found them to be approachable and professional at all times, we overcame many hurdles in which Benchmark successfully negotiated them all. The sale of my business has been completed and I would recommend them to anyone who wants a professional service and results

Tom Calderwood , 10 Oct 2019 Thank you Troy Foran for the determination and professionalism with the regards to the sale of my business  The whole process was daunting to me in the beginning and I was not confident that I would get the outcome I wanted. Appointing you as my broker was certainly the right decision. You kept me apprised of any developments and updates and was always very flexible time wise in meeting with potential buyers and myself. You never intentionally got my hopes up ("There are no guarantees until the money's in the bank" you would say). As it turned out there were complications with a purchaser who signed an agreement however never honored it. You immediately went straight back to work and revamped the ad for our business and generated a tonne of new interest which resulted in a new purchaser within only a few months. Thank you for your professional service and I would certainly recommend Benchmark to anyone intending to sell their business.

"We initially received a postcard in the mail and at first we were apprehensive about whether Benchmark had a buyer for our business. However, we called John and he actually had a buyer quickly for my business and we went to contract immediately. This has been a emotional roller coaster and that's why I'm writing this testimonial, as I want to let other potential sellers know it is extremely important to have the right broker on your side. John is the best around. He is my super hero. If you are concerned about paying fees ... trust me he is worth every cent." - Chloe Shipilov | 06 Feb 2020 John Kasapi receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. John Kasapi specialises in the sale of hair and beauty salons across all states in Australia. He has more than 15 years of experience working in the hair and beauty industry – so he really knows and understands the industry and the marketplace much better than most. Get to know more about John Kasapi and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. John Kasapi is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Zoe , 01 Feb 2018 I had contacted Benchmark just before my lease ran out and I was planning to close the salon as I wanted to concentrate on my young family. The purchaser ended up being a customer of the salon and our broker helped get her through leasing, finance etc etc by explaining to her what was involved. The result was excellent as I have now sold my salon to a great girl and I have come out with some money to allow me to relax and enjoy my time off with my baby. Best result that could have happened. Thanks Benchmark for helping me thorough it.

Lynn , 13 Dec 2018 Amazing job Benchmark – we can now happily move on with our new-found retirement. After some ill health and moving away, I found it ever more difficult to run the salon and that’s when Benchmark stepped in to help! They set up a viewing and called a number of their buyers and negotiated everything from start to finish. Great achievement and great result. I am grateful for your help and appreciate everything you have done for me and now I can relax and let me salon go to a great new owner

Thanks, John. Just in before Christmas! I really appreciate your help, perfect timing for the Christmas rush. It will be great for my son to start working in the business, and we are looking forward to a prosperous holiday period. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas! - Chery Murdoch

Debra Bennett, 17 June 2020 - Highly Recommended Glenn Irving from Benchmark was Knowledgable, prompt, & made the purchase of our new business very easy. We have no hesitation in recommending Glenn as his professionalism is outstanding Glenn Irving receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Glenn Irving brings over 35 years of manufacturing, production, design; as well import/export and offshore product creation experience, to the Benchmark Business Sales and Valuations team. Having started his business career as an apprentice craftsman in the field of glass & neon light production, he worked his way up through the ranks from apprentice to craftsman, onto production manager, then across into sales; and finally to owning his own signage, neon and plastic manufacturing business. Get to know more about Glenn Irving and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Glenn Irving is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Paul , 13 Dec 2018 ” Thank you Michael. Thank you for your assistance and persistence with this Michael, I know we were not really in your “demographic” but we needed help with it and you did a great job. I would be happy to recommend you in the future. ” Kind Regards Paul