Businesses, like people, are unique and sophisticated, each with their own complexities and personalities to be addressed. No two situations are identical, but in each engagement, Acuity Advisors brings the same insight, flexibility and judgment to bear for the benefit of our clients.
Demcon
The owners of Demcon and D&D Concrete were facing a challenge familiar to many trade contractors. The San Diego based structural concrete contractor grew significantly over its 20+ year history, but shareholders Derek Leffler and Ed Stoughton were approaching retirement and weighing their options for ownership and leadership succession. Winding down operations or doing nothing and going out with their boots on were not attractive outcomes. Neither was selling the business to a third-party as the shareholders feared it would result in a change to the company culture they had spent years developing. Seeking an alternative, Derek and Ed turned to Acuity Advisors to explore a sale to their employees through the implementation of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
Computer Protection Technology, Inc.
Family business owners ready to start the feasibility process for an Employee Stock Ownership Plan came to our team with three key goals. They wanted a fair valuation for the business, a way for certain family members to remain with the company, and the most tax efficient transaction possible by maximizing their net proceeds via an ESOP. Acuity helped them get it all.
L&L Nursery Supply
Amid significant changes to its industry landscape, a leading distributor of home and garden products - and an employee-owned company - faced the daunting challenge of adapting its strategy and planning for a sustainable future. Many of the company’s senior leaders were approaching retirement age, and no clear successor leadership had been identified.The leadership team sought Acuity’s guidance in evaluating their options and understanding the vital complexities of selling an employee-owned company to a strategic buyer.
Arborwell, Inc.
From representing the trustee in the ESOP’s original acquisition of stock in 2017, through three years of subsequent valuation engagements, and ultimately advising the trustee in the successful sale of the Company to a strategic buyer in 2020, Acuity was there to help Arborwell through its ESOP journey, from start to finish.
Rohl, Inc. and the House of Rohl
A family owned business with a passion for the artistry, design, quality, and integrity of its products was approached by a public company interested in acquiring the business. How could the Rohl family be assured that the potential buyer would preserve their legacy and high standards? That was the challenge they brought to our team.
Computer Protection Technology (CPT)
Family business owners ready to start the feasibility process for an Employee Stock Ownership Plan came to our team with three key goals. They wanted a fair valuation for the business, a way for certain family members to remain with the company, and the most tax efficient transaction possible by maximizing their net proceeds via an ESOP. Acuity helped them get it all.
Bishamon Industries
A business owner looking to retire wanted to combine a tax advantaged exit strategy with the ability to retain the company’s real property as an ongoing income source. That's the challenge he brought to Acuity. Our team met it with an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
CMRE Financial Services, Inc.
Majority shareholders in a California C corporation came to Acuity looking for a sales transaction that was challenged by their own conflicting goals and objectives. They had unsuccessfully brought the company to market two years earlier with those same goals. What did our team do differently? We exceeded their expectations.