Mergers & Acquisitions
Our extensive M&A activity over the past ten years has provided us with invaluable experience and know-how that can make a difference in your particular transaction.
Asta is uniquely positioned to provide a complete range of services from initial analysis and strategy through to funding the transaction. The majority of Asta's projects are syndicated, thus bringing together several investors with good operators or solid project opportunities with strategic partners and/or quality investors. We also advise on contemplated transactions, sales and or acquisitions of operations or assets. Asta aims to achieve the most favourable outcome possible by enhancing the value of the acquisition or divesture services offered through the global reach of our Associate Network.
Regardless of the size of the transaction, we are committed to delivering high quality M&A services and to developing long-term client relationships with an interest in forming long-term partnerships and participations, contributing own equity. During an M&A project, we typically assist our clients throughout these four phases:
Phase 1: Deal Identification and Transaction Structuring
We source attractive and suitable targets throughout North America and Europe, and develop an appropriate acquisition or disposition strategy, structuring and outlining achievable goals with our clients.
Phase 2: Coordinating the Due Diligence Process
This phase provides the opportunity to uncover potentially costly risks or identify cost-saving opportunities, which influence purchase price and purchase agreement considerations. We guide our client through the due diligence process and negotiate the purchase and sale agreement.
Phase 3: Reaching a Successful Closing
Directly linked to the outcome of the due diligence process, we negotiate final terms and conditions of the transaction and take it to completion.
Phase 4: Post-Closing Services
Upon closing our clients often welcome the opportunity to use our continuing business planning and consulting services to ensure proper implementation and long-term success. Our past experience has shown that our post-closing services significantly contribute to the overall success of any transaction. During this phase we ensure that the established business plan is in fact implemented as planned or, in case of unexpected changes, is quickly adjusted appropriately to accommodate these changes.
Asta´s most recent M&A involvement has included the following transactions:
- Advised a well established Carolina-based US-company on the buyout of a 50% shareholder in conjunction with the placement of a new shareholder and an equity investment of USD 10 million.
- Facilitated the acquisition of control of an open-end Luxemburg-based fund, and assisted in the subsequent liquidation of the assets of the fund.
- Advised a major Canadian investor and a German publicly organized buyout firm on significant restructuring of the company's capital; our services included valuations of assets and share price determination as well as the negotiation of a workable relationship between the company's management and the investor.