March 2011

March 2011

Is a merger an option for me? I started in this business as an ‘entrepreneur’ and, after 15 years in it, I think it’s fair to say I’m defiantly a ‘printer’ now. But, from time to time I think about my exit strategy - do I still want to be doing this in another 15 years? Or do I sell the company to another person or company to retire or try something else?

And there I see a problem; if I sell the company, its assets have value but the goodwill in the business is firmly with me. As a small businessman (and it’s the same in most similar situations as far as I can see), I am the business. My company is small enough that customers buy into me and the people that work with me, not a faceless corporation or ‘brand’. I look around and I see other printing companies with the founder still at the helm, in total control and quite often generating the bulk of sales, so what value does the business have without him?
Such a situation might make it difficult to sell the business for its true value, so, why not merge with another company of a similar size and value - combine forces so to speak? Less administration would be needed making both companies instantly more profitable and a share holding in a larger firm might be preferable to a sale as you could get continued return on investment. Sounds like a dream solution but finding like minded people to perform such a merger may be tricky - be it a growth or exit strategy, it would have to be mutually beneficial.
Owning a business is a very personal thing; you create it, nurture it and get many sleepless nights in return, but when its going well, when you have landed that new account or received that first purchase order, there isn’t another feeling like it in the world, and that’s going to be hard to put a value on.
Comments please to industrymole@imagereportsmag.co.uk