October 2011, In this issue:
- The Pace of Industry Consolidation Accelerates
- Proposed Changes in Trucking Regulations
- Warning Signs of a Distressed Foodservice Distributor
- KSA Case Study: Great Western Meats (GWM)
- IFDA Report
- Mergers and Acquisitions, guiding the sales and acquisitions of foodservice distributorships and regional sales territories
- Custom Strategic Services, including transition planning for family-owned distributors and driving management consensus with KSA’s 3-1-1 Planning Process
- Custom Finance Solutions, including finance strategy development, distribution center expansion analysis, lease or buy decisions on real estate and equipment, and cost segregation studies
- Profitability Improvement on both the vendor and customer sides
"Earlier this year, our family decided we should consider selling our distribution business. We turned to Bill Beattie at Ketier Stephens Advisors for advice and he confirmed there had been a recent increase in the number of industry transactions.
We have known Bill for many years and had confidence his firm could deliver the results based on their experience in marketing food distribution companies and meat processors. KSA guided us through the process of developing the information, determined whom to approach and conducted the negotiations on our behalf. Bill kept us well-informed and worked with us to assure we achieved the business and family objectives we had in mind.
KSA brought the right resources to the table, kept the porcess moving and helped us achive an outcome that exceeded our expectations."
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Greg Voorhees
Great Western Meats
Orlando, Florida
"The real advantage of working with Keiter Stephens Advisors is the firm's level of expertise in the foodservice industry. When KSA's Managing Director Bill Beattie called to discuss a client he was representing, he had a very solid understanding of how the acquisition would benefit U.S. Foodservice. After working with Bill and his team, it's easy to see why they have such a good reputation in the industry. They worked hard for their client, but were also objective and understanding of our needs throughout the entire acquisition process. It was one of the smoothest transactions I've been involved in and I look forward to working with the KSA team in the future."
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Bryan A. Torcivia
SVP, Mergers & Acquisitions, US Foods
Rosemont, IL
"I contacted KSA to help me evaluate my options regarding the business. Like so many other independent distributors, our customer base has struggled in a tough economy, sales have fallen off and that put a strain on my operation. I am happy to say that the speed at which KSA was able to put together a transaction, combined with the value I realized, surpassed my expectations."
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Mike Teagle
Former Owner, Valley Foodservice
Norfolk, VA
"I have known Bill Beattie, KSA's Managing Director, for many years.Their team prodvided a creative transaction structure for a very complex situation and skillfully managed the negotiations with the various parties involved. We are very pleased with how they represented us in securing this opportunity."
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Malcolm “Mac” Sullivan
CEO, Pate Dawson Company
Goldsboro, NC
“Keiter Stephens Advisors works with us to become even more financially strong
and savvy – so that we can be the best foodservice distributor we can be, for our
customers, for our family shareholders, and for our employees.
Joe Cara Donna
SVP, Cara Donna Provision Company
Braintree, MA
“I have nothing but praise for Keiter Stephens Advisors and recommend them highly.”
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"Many M&A brokers approach us to consider companies they have been engaged to sell. Our experience with Keiter Stephens Advisors has demonstrated their knowledge of the foodservice M&A process and their high ethical standards...” Read More
“Keiter Stephens Advisors is unique because they understand the art of selling a family foodservice distributor. They helped us identify the key areas of value in our business, and their due diligence work left no guesswork...” Read More