Closed Deal Announcement – Peakstone Advises Petstages on Sale to Outward Hound

October, 2015. Petstages  has been acquired  by Outward Hound (outwardhound.com), a portfolio company of The Riverside Company.  Petstages is a pet industry leader, winning several awards for innovation and developing a popular line of dog and cat products including the Dogwood Chew Stick, Orka chew toys, and INVIRONMENT scratchers. (petstages.com)

Acquiring Petstages opens up new strategic retail and specialty distribution channels while giving Outward Hound one of the most diversified and innovative product portfolios in the market today.

“We couldn’t be happier to bring these two amazing companies together,” said Riverside Vice President, Steve Rice. “The team at Petstages has done an outstanding job developing award-winning products in multiple categories that delight pets and pet parents alike.”

“Providing products with purpose is the cornerstone of the Petstages philosophy,” said Petstages President, Torjus Lundevall. “This deal gives us the greater capacity and resources that we need to provide continuous innovation to our customers and continue to develop new and meaningful product solutions.”

Lundevall further stated, “Peakstone was a great partner in assisting us to identify the perfect partnership well suited for the Company’s continued growth in this category.”

Peakstone has a dedicated practice covering a broad array of pet and companion animal segments and has completed numerous transactions in the sector.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Click here to read the Press Release.

About Peakstone

The Peakstone Group is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients.  Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars.  For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com.

Closed Deal Announcement – Peakstone Advises ABCOMRENTS on Strategic Acquisition

October 2015. Peakstone served as the exclusive financial advisor to ABCOMRENTS in its purchase of the assets of RentFusion.

ABCOMRENTS is the leading provider of event technology solutions.  Since 1989, ABCOMRENTS has dedicated itself to creating, designing and implementing full-service event productions with innovative technology solutions, state-of-the-art tech rental equipment, and the supporting infrastructure. ABCOMRENTS’ unparalleled service allows it to produce flawless technology-rich events, enabling its clients to focus all of their efforts on event management.  www.abcomrents.com

RentFusion has provided technology rental solutions to Fortune 500 corporate customers for over twenty years. RentFusion has offices in Chicago, Las Vegas and Orlando with a full service support staff to handle any client needs.

Sonny Goyal, Managing Director of ABCOMRENTS said, “We had a choice: grow organically and open our own offices or seek out an acquisition. Our leadership team thought long and hard on what our next steps would be to maximize on our double-digit growth and the opportunity we have with companies within our industry. We have spent the last 6 months analyzing opportunities and RentFusion was the perfect fit.”

ABCOMRENTS engaged Peakstone to identify strategic acquisitions within the Rental & Staging market. Peakstone focused on finding companies with a strategic synergy and company culture that matched ABCOMRENTS. “The Peakstone team was invaluable to the acquisition process. They executed on a well thought out strategy to acquire the company, provided great advice throughout, and guided the transaction to closing efficiently and smoothly”, said Goyal.

Click Here for the ABCOMRENTS press release.

For additional information, please contact:
Mark Horita, Managing Director, 312-346-7300, morhita@peakstone.com

About Peakstone

The Peakstone Group is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients.  Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars.  For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com.

Industry Update: Food and Beverage M&A – October 2015

October, 2015

Food and Beverage (“F&B”) M&A continues to see strong activity. Year-to-date 2015 transaction volume of 190 deals is just below pace of 2014 record levels.

For year-to-date 2015, strategic buyers accounted for 86% of F&B M&A transactions. During 2014, strategic buyers accounted for just over 91% of the transactions.

F & B transaction activity has been strong, with valuation trends near historical highs. YTD 2015, F&B multiples were approximately 10.4x EBITDA and 1.6x revenue.

Many F&B categories continue to outperform the S&P 500.

Notable publicly announced 2015 M&A transactions:

– B&G Foods North America, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire General Mills, Inc., Green Giant and Le Sueur Stable and Frozen Vegetable Business for approximately $765 million.

– Swift Pork Co. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cargill Pork, LLC for approximately $1.45 billion.

– The Kraft Heinz Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire Kraft Foods Group, Inc. for approximately $55 billion.

-Hormel Foods Corporation entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Applegate Farms LLC for $775 million.

– Post Holdings, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MOM Brands Company for $1.15 billion.

Notable IPO’s include: Albertson’s, WhiteWave Foods, Wayne Farms, Pinnacle Foods and Eastside Distilling.

Closed Deal Announcement – Peakstone Advises Simply Color on the Acquisition of ShootQ

October, 2015. Peakstone acted as exclusive financial advisor to Simply Color on this transaction.

Simply Color Industries, Inc. (“Simply Color”) has announced the acquisition of ShootQ, a complete virtual SaaS management system made especially for professional photographers.  With the addition of ShootQ, Simply Color has further expanded its product and service capabilities to provide its customers with a quality management program that will create more efficient business practices and significant cross-selling opportunities.

The Peakstone Group served as Simply Color’s exclusive financial advisor in connection with this transaction and also arranged the acquisition financing. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“The Peakstone Group has been an invaluable partner to Simply Color as we have continued to execute our strategic growth initiatives,” noted Adam Fried, President and CEO of Simply Color.  “Peakstone’s commitment to the success of Simply Color has helped us achieve our objectives.”

Click Here to read the Press Release.

Based in Akron, Ohio, Simply Color is a leading full-service printing lab for professional photographers with a reputation for quality products, excellent color and world famous customer service.  More information is available at www.simplycolorlab.com.

For additional information about this transaction, contact:
Eric Dziedzic, Managing Director, 312-346-7314, eric@peakstone.com

About Peakstone

The Peakstone Group is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients.  Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars.  For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com.

Peakstone Selected as 2015 M&A Advisor Award Finalist for M&A Firm of the Year and Debt Deal of the Year

September, 2015. Peakstone is pleased to announce that it has been selected as a finalist for the 14th Annual M&A Advisor Awards in two categories:

1. Investment Banking Firm of the Year
2. Debt Financing Deal of the Year – for Peakstone’s role as exclusive financial advisor to Ashford.com on its recapitalization transaction with Prudential Capital Partners.

“Since the inception of the M&A Advisor Awards in 2002, we have been recognizing the leading dealmakers, firms and transactions. And each year we celebrate the creativity, perseverance and ingenuity of our industry’s professionals”, says David Fergusson, President and Co-CEO of The M&A Advisor. “While our industry has undergone significant transformation since our first awards were presented 13 years ago, we are convinced, more than ever before, that M&A is a driving force of the economy. It is truly an honor for our firm to be able to recognize the contribution that the 2015 award finalists have made.”

About The M&A Advisor

The M&A Advisor was founded in 1998 to offer insights and intelligence on M&A activities.  Over the past sixteen years, through our research, reporting, publishing, symposiums and awards we have established the world’s premier network of mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and financing professionals. For more information, please visit www.maadvisor.com or contact The M&A Advisor at 718-997-7900.

About Peakstone

Peakstone is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients.  Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars.  For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com or contact Carolyn Henson, chenson@peakstone.com or 312-204-7300.

Industry Update: Transportation & Logistics M&A – September 2015

September, 2015

U.S. transportation & logistics M&A continues to see strong activity. Year-to-date 2015 transaction volume of 93 deals is on pace to surpass 2014 deal volume of 99 transactions.

For the year-to-date 2015 period, strategic buyers accounted for 87% of the transportation & logistics M&A transactions with financial buyers making up the difference. During 2014, strategic buyers accounted for approximately 81% of the transactions.

Asset-light transport and logistics companies are trading at premium valuations compared to the S&P 500.

Many larger, publicly traded transportation and logistics companies have been very active in pursuing acquisitions.

Notable publicly announced 2015 transactions:
– XPO Logistics entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Con-way for approximately $3.5 billion.
– United Parcel Service acquired Coyote Logistics for approximately $1.8 billion.
– Apax Partners acquired Quality Distribution for approximately $780 million.
– Echo Global Logistics acquired Command Transportation for approximately $410 million.

Closed Deal Announcement – Peakstone Advises Clarke Group on Sale Transaction

September, 2015. Peakstone served as exclusive financial advisor to Clarke Engineering Services and Acquire Automation (collectively, “Clarke Group”) on its sale to Red Oak Growth Partners, a growth-oriented private investment firm, and management.

Founded in 1997 in Fishers, Indiana, Clarke Group is a leading provider of mission-critical engineering, machine vision and validation solutions to blue-chip clients in the life sciences, food and beverage, consumer products, packaging, and industrial end-markets. The Company leverages its in-house expertise, deep understanding of automation systems, collaborative partnerships with leading equipment suppliers and extensive experience resulting from prior project work to develop highly customized solutions for manufacturing processes that require world-class quality control. Click here to learn more about Clarke Group.

Clarke Group’s existing management team, led by President John Duffin, will continue to lead Clarke Group and oversee the day-to-day operations of the business.

“This transaction accomplished all of my objectives, enabling the team that worked so closely with my husband to partner with an equity team that understands engineering and automation services.  I am appreciative of the efforts of The Peakstone Group to identify the ideal partners and craft a transaction that achieved the objectives of the company, management and my family, in a manner attractive to Red Oak and its co-investors,” said Jane Clarke, owner of Clarke Group.

Peakstone served as exclusive financial advisor to Clarke Group in connection with this transaction. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

For additional information about this transaction, contact:
Nick Clementi, Managing Director, 763-478-1777, nclementi@peakstone.com
Eric Dziedzic, Managing Director, 312-346-7314, eric@peakstone.com

About Peakstone

Peakstone is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients.  Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars.  For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com.

Industry Update: Packaging M&A – September 2015

September, 2015

Packaging M&A continues to see strong activity. Year-to-date 2015 transaction volume of 50 deals is just below pace of 2014 record levels.

For the year-to-date 2015 period, strategic buyers accounted for 76% of the packaging M&A transactions with financial buyers making up the difference. During 2014, strategic buyers accounted for approximately 72% of the transactions.

Peakstone equally weighted packaging index continues to outperform the S&P 500.

Notable publicly announced 2015 transactions:
– WestRock Company acquired SP Fiber for approximately $290 million.
– KapStone acquired Victory Packaging for $640 million.
– Jarden Corp. acquired WNA for approximately $1.4 billion.
– WestRock Company acquired MeadWestvaco Corporation for approximately $11.6 billion.

Closed Deal Announcement – Peakstone Advises Anderson Machining Service on Sale Transaction

September, 2015. Anderson Machining Service, Inc. has been acquired by Basin Holdings, a global energy and industrial holding company. Anderson will operate through Basin Industries, a division of Basin Holdings that manufactures industrial equipment.

Anderson is an established leader in precision CNC contract manufacturing, specializing in machined components and assemblies that serve a range of industrial OEM applications in the hydraulic, recreational vehicle and energy industries. Founded in 1980 as a family-owned business, the company now has more than 150 employees and over 60,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space in Jefferson, Wisconsin and Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Anderson’s existing management team will continue to participate in the leadership and day-to-day operations of the business.

“The Peakstone team was invaluable to the transaction process. They developed and executed on a successful strategy to find the right partner that shares our strategic vision for Anderson and can help drive continued growth for the business” said Erik Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of Anderson.

Basin Holdings is a privately held industrial holding company focused on providing market leading products and services to energy companies around the world. Basin’s experienced managers oversee a global platform that offers supply chain management services, oilfield services and specialty equipment manufacturing. Basin is focused on long-term economic value creation and community impact.

The Peakstone Group served as exclusive M&A advisor to Anderson in connection with this transaction. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Click here for the press release.

For additional information about this transaction, contact:
Eric Dziedzic, Managing Director, 312-346-7314, eric@peakstone.com
Steve Royko, Managing Director, 608-236-4490, sroyko@peakstone.com

About Peakstone

The Peakstone Group is a leading investment bank that specializes in mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising for middle market clients.  Our team is comprised of senior investment banking professionals who have decades of experience and have executed hundreds of transactions totaling billions of dollars.  For additional information, visit www.peakstone.com.

Industry Update: E-Commerce M&A – September, 2015

September, 2015

E-Commerce M&A continues to see strong activity. Year-to-date 2015 transaction volume of 216 deals is on pace with record 2014 levels. During 2014, there were 375 transactions, an increase of over 12% from the prior year.

For the year-to-date 2015 period, strategic buyers accounted for 80% of the e-commerce M&A transactions with financial buyers making up the difference. During 2014, strategic buyers accounted for just over 85% of the transactions.

For announced transactions (albeit a limited sample size), e-commerce multiples saw a modest increase from 10.5x EBITDA and 0.7x revenue in 2014 to 10.6x EBITDA and 1.1x revenue year-to-date 2015.

Peakstone equally weighted e-commerce index continues to outperform the S&P 500.

Notable publicly announced 2015 transactions:
– QVC, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire zulily, Inc. for approximately $2.4 billion.
– Gamestop entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Geeknet for approximately $130 million.
– Expedia entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Orbitz for $1.4 billion.