Grow A Business In The Architecture & Engineering Industry

Benchmark International facilitated the transaction between CLS and Eternity Systems. Watch as Henning Hilmer, founder of CLS, discusses what he was looking for in a strategic partner and how Benchmark International managed to achieve this for him.

Benchmark International het die transaksie tussen CLS en Eternity Systems gefasiliteer. Kyk hoe Henning Hilmer, stigter van CLS, bespreek wat hy in 'n strategiese vennoot gesoek het en hoe Benchmark International dit vir hom kon bewerkstellig.

Benchmark International facilitó la transacción entre CLS y Eternity Systems. Vea cómo Henning Hilmer, fundador de CLS, habla de lo que buscaba en un socio estratégico y de cómo Benchmark International lo consiguió para él.

The Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) sector is a multi-billion-dollar market that remains on pace to grow steadily in the coming years. Record public-sector spending on new projects will support higher profitability, resulting in solid backlogs, greater project certainty, and improved overall industry health. 

The global architecture, engineering & construction (AEC) market was valued at $10.05 billion in 2023. It is forecasted to witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% to surge to $24.36 billion by 2032.

In today's economy, operating a successful business can be a tricky thing to do. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20% of businesses fail within the first two years of being open, 45% during the first five years, and 65% during the first ten years. These statistics may seem intimidating or disheartening to some, but those who have overcome the narrative have learned that their business must possess certain key characteristics. While many successful businesses may share similar characteristics, they often appear quite different. No matter how a business may differentiate from its peers and competitors, there is one thing that every business must maintain to stay afloat: growth.

Benchmark International facilitated the transaction between PUSHTech and Cendyn. Watch as Gerry Haag and Carlos Moncho, former shareholders at PUSHTech, discuss why they opted to work with an M&A adviser, what Benchmark International brought to the table, and where PUSHTech is now with the assistance of an acquirer.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Z Consulting, LLC and The Bridge.

The Global Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) market was valued at $10.05 billion in 2023, with a forecasted compound annual growth rate of 10.3% to reach $24.36 billion by 2032.

The architectural services industry comprises various companies that design and plan buildings and structures spanning residential, institutional, leisure, commercial, and industrial spaces. Key areas of expertise include knowledge of design, construction, zoning, building codes, and building materials.

Pitchbook has released their Q3 2022 global league tables, and Benchmark International remains an esteemed leader in the M&A world.

If you are considering selling your business, you undoubtedly need to understand its value. Unfortunately, arriving at that answer can entail many different methodologies, and it often involves the familiar valuation formula of applying a multiple of Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA). For example, if a company boasts EBITDA of $1 million, and a five times EBITDA multiple is applied, the company’s estimated value is $5 million. But how do we know what multiple applies to your business? And how do we know if the EBITDA number is even accurate? After all, EBITDA will not be the same for every business.

2021 was a strong market for business owners looking to sell their companies. The market remains ideal and will do so as we move into the first quarter of 2022. As we are in the middle of this year, there is no better time to consider putting your business on the market.

If you are considering selling your business, you will need to have a clear understanding of its type of customer revenue because it can significantly impact the value of your business. Sometimes people confuse recurring revenue with repeat revenue, but it is essential to understand how they are not the same thing. Recurring RevenueRecurring revenue stems from a contractually bound legal agreement for a solution delivered over time. It is usually contractual over one or multiple years, and because it may carry penalties or fees if the customer leaves, it can be counted on into the future. This makes it highly valued by prospective acquirers because of its predictability and lower risk. However, recurring revenue does not have to be contractual to be valuable. Depending on the business and the services offered, it can be too costly or too much of a hassle for a customer to leave or switch providers. An excellent example of this is customer relationship marketing companies that collect large amounts of valued data over time, making it more beneficial for clients to stick with their services. Below is a list of the different types of recurring revenue.

Is the bull market for privately held companies over? No, that’s not (yet) the reality. But one of the hallmarks of the glorious decade for selling businesses is no more. And unfortunately, many of the acquirers’ gatekeepers weren’t around the last time there was a bull market that looked like this one.

2021 Was a Record Year

After the trials and tribulations of 2020, no one really knew what to expect going into 2021. Yet, for the world of M&A, it couldn’t have been a more pleasant surprise.

Mergers and acquisitions in each industry have their own oddities, and architecture is no different from any other in that regard. However, the following similarities always seem to rise to the top when selling a firm.

Selling your business is a paramount moment in your life. It’s something you absolutely want to get right so that you can extract the most value out of the deal—and so that you are protected from being swindled by a savvy buyer. It also takes a great deal of time and energy to sell a company, which can be rather difficult to spare when you are trying to focus on running a business. Most people simply do not have this time, energy, connections, or expertise that is required to put their company on the market. This is where the importance of an experienced M&A advisor comes in. By partnering with an M&A expert, they handle all the details of a deal, including due diligence, negotiations, marketing, vetting, and ensuring that you get the most value for your business. They also know how to navigate bumps in the process, and manage the expectations of all parties involved.

Growing a company once it has reached a certain plateau of success can be challenging. Mergers and acquisitions are a powerful tool for boosting the growth of an existing company—especially cross-border M&A. As a business owner, you should consider the different ways your company can benefit from an international deal.