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.

Suzette Jones , 01 May 2018 Wow Wow Wow This process was a whole lot easy than I ever thought it would be – I listed and sold within a matter of weeks. I had heard so many horror stories but my sale was a breeze. I had been in my salon for over 25 years and it was my baby! To finally come to the decision to sell my salon was a very emotional period for me and even more of a struggle was to find someone that I could trust and understood my concerns and needs! I had to know that I was going to work with a broker who understood me and our industry and wasn’t just full of hot air and over promising and under delivers. I had done my research and couldn’t have been happier with my choice to use Benchmark, the process was seamless and before you knew it, it was SOLD!!! I was even overseas while the settlement happened, this just shows how hard Benchmark worked on getting the salon sold quickly and how well they managed the entire sale, and they really do have the contacts within the industry and get the job done. Wow Wow Wow!!!

Our daughter contacted Bud regarding the possibility of listing our business for sale after coming across Benchmark’s advert on a google search. Bud was quick to respond and from the first chat was optimistic about listing and selling our business. Right through the process of listing, signing up and seeing the sale through to completion, Bud kept in regular contact with us, and made sure everything was in place for a smooth settlement and transition for the new owners.    Bud is friendly and always up for a chat, and we would thoroughly recommend Bud and the team at Benchmark to get the job done. - Leonie Combridge Gamil Baddour receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Bud (Gamil Baddour) came to Benchmark in 2004 after spending 38 years as a Senior Manager in several international Financial Institutions. He has owned and managed small businesses too.  In the first twelve months at Benchmark. Bud completed the most number of sales for Benchmark selling businesses such as Cafes. Takeaway Outlets, Food Stores. Newsagencies, Franchised Businesses, Manufacturing -and more. Get to know more about Gamil Baddour  and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Gamil Baddour is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Purchasing a business requires a certain level of effort but selling one is on the Oppenheimer scale. I have done both with Benchmark, and they were there every step of the way, with Maurice being the most patient, gentlemanly and experienced star of the process. However, he was not alone, with support from Ashlee, and even Bruce would get involved when things became tricky. All in all, an amazing team whom I would recommend to anyone who is thinking of getting into or out of a business. - Gordon Kappelhoff

Jennifer Hannan , 12 Dec 2018 I have looking to buy a salon for quite a while, after numerous conversations with Benchmark, I eventually found the perfect business that exactly suited my needs. I’m so happy to have bought the salon. From the lease through to the staff that came with the business and are now working for me, it is just what I wanted. I am absolutely delighted with the purchase. Thank you for making this possible and so straightforward

"We listed our business with John as we felt so comfortable with him and our gut instinct was correct. He has been totally professional, knowledgeable and there at every twist and turn, we had a number of problems along the way and each time John kept the sale on track and took action to get the deal done. At times our emotions got the better of us but John made us feel that we were in safe hands and steered captained the ship to the final destination." - Anna Stewart | 01 Apr 2018 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.

Bernice , 30 Jun 2020 OMG, what a ride! In the middle of Covid-19, Nikki achieved a sale which at times, with lockdown, we thought was never going to happen. It just goes to show. Persistence can prevail even in the trickiest of markets and market was exceptional. Most brokers would have given up. Nikki, your job was to bring me a buyer. Despite the challenges of me being a first-time seller, and the market being mid-covid-19! You did it…...I believe a match made in heaven. I am excited to sell and he is excited to buy! The buyer is exceptional, it truly is a good match. I am confident that I have sold the salon in good faith, that my staff will be looked after and the salon will thrive, under the new ownership. That it will continue to flourish was so important to me. Thank you Nikki

" We found them so helpful all the way through the sale which took quite a while and required a lot of changes from the buyer. Keith communicated with us and kept us up to date with the sale the whole time. The team were great help with guidelines on forms and emails that needed to go to our solicitor to keep the sale on track. Keith helped me through many issues and his knowledge was amazing on what we needed to move forward with. Keith was one of the most professional people I have ever worked with and would recommend him and Benchmark to any of my business associates when selling. Thank you to Benchmark and your team it was hard going but with you having our backs we got there." - Sandi and Roy Koops | 11 Dec 2021 Keith Brewster receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. When it comes to putting a sale together that works for all parties, his principles are: Transparency. Doing business honestly and transparently, is in his words; “the only way to go, anything else is too stressful” Communications As a communicator Keith is clear, concise and frank. He makes sure everyone is in the loop and maintains a clear focus on the needs of each party. Enthusiasm and Positivity Keith knows that enthusiasm and positivity are essential ingredients of sales success and he has both in spades. Customer Care For Keith looking after the needs of his clients comes first and foremost in everything he does.  He has a long track record of facilitating sales built on a foundation of customer care. Get to know more about Keith Brewster and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Keith Brewster is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

I've recently purchased a business through Kurt and I couldn't be happier with how the process went. From start to finish Kurt was very professional, approachable and easy to deal with. I'd highly recommend Kurt for anyone looking at buying or selling a business in North Queensland.

Name Undisclosed , 13 Dec 2018 "When selling a business there is one word that matter more than any other; SOLD! And Jacob got to use it. Jacob is very pleasant to deal with, built great report with the enquires and ultimately the buyer. Jacob felicitated the sale of a business I had owned for 23 years, there was quite a bit to arrange to not only list it but to also get it SOLD. I highly recommend Jacob to assist in the sale of your business." Jacob Reeson receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Jacob’s exceptional customer service skills and charismatic personality, coupled with his hardworking attitude, will ensure your business will be sold as quickly and efficiently as possible with a ‘leave the rubbish at the door’ approach – whilst still obtaining the best possible price. Jacob regularly seeks opportunities to undertake further training through registered and non-work related opportunities. Through his life he has taken on a variety of professions, usually multiple at a time, providing him with a broad knowledge and a keen mind. Get to know more about Jacob Reeson and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Jacob Reeson is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.