Target Criteria - Scientific Instrumentation

Bridge Mergers & Acquisitions have a current requirement in this sector. We have set out the acquisition criteria below.

Manufacturer of Technical Products

• Activities and Markets Served
  
  The ideal business would be well established, manufacturing its own technical products both handheld and process. It would have a recognised name, hold a significant proportion of its market segment and be involved in one or more of the following areas:
  
  
  • Gas detection equipment
  • Gas analysis equipment - medical, scientific and industrial
  • Components for analytical equipment and sensors
  • Water leakage analysis - quantifying, detecting and control
  • Water and environmental pollution analysis instruments
  • Analysis equipment and sensors for liquids used in the manufacture of food, drinks, pharmaceuticals and electronic components
  • Water purification, sterilisation and other technologies (Ultraviolet light, etc)
• Financial Parameters
  
  The likely business or product will have sales of between £5m and £50m. This figure could be smaller if a product line or smaller business can be integrated into one of the existing operating companies. In these cases, size is not important and a relatively small product line could still be attractive. The products will be high-margin, although the current profitability and asset value of the company would be less important, as the key issues would involve the value and potential of the products and the post acquisition benefits to our client.
• Management
  
  Our client is a particularly attractive purchaser to the owner/manager who wishes to sell his business but retain an active management role. They prefer existing management to remain and, as they operate in a highly decentralised way, they can offer a stimulating environment to the managers of their Group companies. Reasons for selling to our client have included retirement or succession planning, access to capital, management support and the wish to spread their personal wealth so as to reduce their risk in a single investment.
• Location
  
  The location of the business could be anywhere in the US, UK or Far East.
• Consideration
  
  Our client has considerable financial resources available for acquisitions. The structure of the transaction and the form of payment can be flexible to suit the timing and taxation needs of the parties.

If the above criteria relates to your company and you would be interested in a confidential discussion please contact us.

Supplier of Instrumentation Products

• Activities and Markets
  
  The ideal business would be well established and with its own technical specialist products and IPR. Its products would be some type of instrumentation (measuring, testing, analysing). Again, ideally, it would be selling into a small growing niche market, with an untapped export potential. The business would be operating in a highly regulated market.
  
  The business could be involved in one of the following sectors:
  
  
  • Testing and measuring instrumentation
  • Fire testing/detection technology
  • Sensor technology
  • Specialist instruments for life science laboratories
  • Optical sensing instruments
  • Bio-imaging applications
  • Equipment for pressure, sampling and flow analysis of fluids and gases
  • High precision fluid control products for use in clinical and analytical instrumentation
  • Diagnostic ophthalmic instruments
  • Optical sensing systems for specialist measurement instruments
  • Biological hazard detection equipment
• Financial Parameters
  
  The likely business will have sales of between £2m and £20m, with an EBITDA of above £500k. The products will be high margin, above 50%, and the company would be capable of producing a return on sales in excess of 15%.
• Management
  
  It would be important that the business retained strong management post-acquisition.
• Location
  
  The business could be anywhere in the UK, but preferably in the South.
• Consideration
  
  Our client has considerable financial resources available for acquisitions. The structure of the transaction and the form of payment can be flexible to suit the timing and taxation needs of the parties.

If the above criteria relates to your company and you would be interested in a confidential discussion please contact us.