Dunn & Partners
- Investment Banking Professionals, Boston MA

Services

All of our services are tailored to suit the objectives of our client’s management and shareholders. We provide senior-level attention throughout the process and as a result we have an extensive track record of success in each service area. We pride ourselves on our thoroughness in every phase of the assignment, from preliminary research to final execution. We deliver value with accountability, speed of execution, and clear communication with our clients.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Dunn & Partners has significant expertise in advising clients how to reach their strategic and financial objectives through mergers and acquisitions. We have been particularly successful with middle market companies, completing sale assignments to strategically motivated corporate acquirers who have the ability to appreciate nuances that result in premium transaction values. We provide objective advice to both sellers and buyers. We minimize management distractions so that their businesses can continue to operate with limited interruptions. For both public and private companies, our goal is to maximize financial value, and for private shareholders we also address personal objectives. Very often transactions affect entire families, and that can get complicated. We are experts at negotiating the way through such issues successfully and sensitively.
 

We always have our eye on the big picture and the ultimate objective, but we also keep very close tabs on the details of every transaction. This might include confidentiality agreements, financing, escrows, retained equity, non-compete agreements, indemnifications and warranties, financial reporting issues, and tax considerations. We are very good with the complexities and terms of deals. We stay on top of the details so that you can go through any transaction with peace of mind and confidence.

MARKET STATISTICS AND TRENDS

For the first half of 2010, the total number of announced U.S. merger and acquisition transactions was 6,078, a 62% increase compared to the first half of 2009. Reported dollar volume for these transactions totaled $384 billion, a 24% increase compared to last year, indicating that middle market transactions seem to be rebounding more rapidly than larger ones.  Q2 2010 improved over Q2 2009, but was not as strong as Q1 2010 in transaction or dollar volume. While the statistics through 6 months are encouraging, the results seem more indicative of weakness a year ago rather than strength right now.  We continue to believe that 2010 will show a solid improvement over 2009, although growth will be cautious.
 
 Transaction Volume

FOR SELLERS

We assist sellers with the entire sale process, from preparation to execution and closing. In the initial phase we conduct preliminary business due diligence, assess valuation, create a marketing strategy and related marketing materials, and select and prioritize prospective buyers. We market the firm with strict confidentiality, creating an auction environment to optimize value in bids, maximize negotiating leverage, and preserve process flexibility. We facilitate the buyer/lender due diligence, and manage all elements of the sale process. During the final negotiations and closing, we negotiate the definitive agreement, collaborate with your legal and accounting professionals, facilitate the final due diligence, and guide you to a satisfactory closing.

FOR BUYERS

Dunn & Partners facilitates discreet, efficient acquisition processes, assisting with valuation, due diligence, document negotiations, and closing (where the target has already been identified.) If the target has not yet been identified, we guide the client through the acquisition search, formulating criteria, identifying targets and initiating contact, negotiating terms of transactions, and raising acquisition financing, if necessary.

Private Placements (Debt and Equity)

The structural possibilities are endless, but you rely on us to analyze and assess the best opportunities for your firm. We have insight into how institutional investors assess an opportunity. Our professionals have worked in and have extensive experience evaluating companies and their business models, assessing management teams, structuring all types of securities and negotiating the final deal. We analyze pricing, repayment terms, financial and other covenants associated with senior and subordinated debt, equity and convertible securities. Based on your company’s objectives and preferences, we assist you in structuring a customized security that meets your capital needs in a way that is highly attractive to institutional investors.

Private placements can be unduly time consuming and stressful to those unfamiliar with the process. We know the best people to go to for the right deals. We have an extensive network of institutional capital providers and critical knowledge of the process: timing, positioning, strategy, and execution. We manage the entire private placement process to help you fund organic growth, pursue acquisitions or recapitalize your company.  The types of private placements we have experience with are: 

Equity
  • Private Equity/LBO
  • Growth capital
  • Recapitalizations
  • Management buy-outs
  • Venture Capital
Debt
  • Senior secured and unsecured debt
  • Subordinated debt
  • Mezzanine and high-yield debt
  • Asset-backed lending

 

Financial Advisory Services

Dunn & Partners is uniquely qualified to provide objective, timely advice to clients as they grow and navigate their respective markets and opportunities. Most often these financial advisory assignments relate to a particular transaction, such as a stock repurchase, capital infusion, merger or acquisition. We can provide advice and assistance to management, Boards and Special Committees in the following areas: