admin Building a successful empire in the current economies of scale depends as much on organic growth as organised mergers and acquisitions. Both these tools have long remained essential in the arsenal of strategic arms for stimulating growth, solidifying competitive advantage and reducing risks through portfolio diversification. Whether a client wants to tap into the synergies of value creation or simply benefit from the steady cash flows of a successful venture, the buying process involved in M&A activities can surely be complicated.
The selling side of this coin is not without its own share of complications either. Valuing your venture and its assets correctly and drafting the right strategic plan are essential factors of this process that cannot be neglected. Whether you own a company with a successful ledger or one that’s currently weathering a down trend, the truth is that you will need extra assistance to ensure the transaction process is smooth and foolproof. Thus, when it comes to navigating such tricky terrains with pin-point precision, there are only a few M&A partners one can trust- the foremost among them is Ridgefield Partners.
As a boutique mergers and acquisition firm, Ridgefield Partners focuses on an underserved market segment to help generate value and make a difference. This unique market position, trailblazing approach and sound all-round expertise has established the firm as a formidable player in the middle-market segment. While there are countless advisory firms that offer a plethora of services, only a few can claim to have a team that’s navigated the turbulent waters of transaction firsthand. Ridgefield Partners comes with this distinction.
Meeting the Veteran Leader
Ridgefield has managed to conquer novel feats of success and become a leading name in the M&A sector thanks to the relentless efforts of its trailblazing leaders – the foremost among them being the well-known veteran leader, Richard Waryn. After completing his B.Sc. Degree course in Geoscience at the University of Toronto and his Masters in Finance and Economics course at Harvard, Richard went on to work on an extensive list of private equity funds in sectors spanning power infrastructure, retail, telecom, transportation and real estate. As a man excelling across industry verticals, Richard has the experience of running a part of Dubai’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, serving as the Managing Director of a well-known capital advisory firm and founding several novel companies. Having established a proven legacy of excellence in arenas like international private equity fund management, investment banking, real estate investment and entrepreneurship, Richard decided to embark on a new journey by starting this boutique M&A firm.
As one of its founding members, Richard leverages over 30 years of industry experience to implement a cutting-edge approach in the firm. As a leader, Richard believes in pushing the boundaries. He is an ardent advocate for stepping outside the comfort zone to discover new horizons. From a young age, Richard imbibed the values of determination and hard work from his parents. He also learned the importance of being an instrument of greater good and thus, mentored young students and entrepreneurs to help them find their goals in life. Apart from being the founding member and CEO of Ridgefield Partners, Richard also owns a successful national logistics company.
Leveraging Perspectives
When it comes to advisory and guidance, only those with a proven track record of experience can be blindly trusted. Proving this adage true, Ridgefield Partners has secured a unique market position that’s backed by a talented team of experts. The M&A firm specialises in amalgamating its unique perspective with the boundless experience of its team members to create true value for its clients. Since almost every member on the Ridgefield team has the experience of buying, owning, and selling businesses of their own, they are well aware of the nitty-gritties involved in the transaction process. Thus, clients get to reap the benefits of a transaction process that’s been perfected over decades. This is what makes it the best team one can ask for when navigating through the transaction process.
Value-Creating Services
At Ridgefield, the team believes that the role of an M&A advisory partner doesn’t just end once the right counterparty is identified. Rather, that’s where the real task begins. Thus, Ridgefield Partners believe in giving clients a holistic service experience, helping them in not just positioning their assets and finding the right buyers/sellers, but also guiding them through the gruelling stages of the transaction process that includes steps like selecting tax advisors, reviewing draft documents, seeking legal aid, etc.
To ensure that its clients have access to a comprehensive service basket, Ridgefield Partners offers services under the following broad verticals:
Sell-Side M&A: When it comes to the transaction process, while price may be the deterministic variable, there still remain several avenues to consider. Ridgefield Partners helps focus on these variables to understand the transaction process better and make informed decisions. From fine-tuning the deal structure to figuring out the terms of the deal, Ridgefield is there with the client every step of the way. Many first-time sellers might be confused by phases like indemnities, remedies, earn-outs, etc. The team of experienced advisors at Ridgefield clarify these aspects of the transaction to bring their clients up to speed with everything.
Buy-Side M&A: Ridgefield Partners specialises in mapping out acquisition programmes. The firm values the need to define acquisition goals prior to pursuing a strategy as this helps clearly demarcate the vision of the programme. From defining the acquisition criteria on the basis of this vision to post-acquisition integration, financial modelling, end-market fit, etc. Ridgefield Partners takes care of it all. The team also subs-in to communicate with potential targets, investors and lenders to help unlock the best value proposition.
Valuation & Strategic Advisory: Estimating the value of your enterprise is one of the foremost things that comes to mind when planning an exit strategy. To this end, clients can benefit from Ridgefield’s complimentary valuation service that evaluates the business based on the prevalent market conditions. The valuation process takes factors like the current and historic cash flows, size of the company, etc. into account to give clients an estimate of what they can expect from the exit. This is then followed by strategic advisory that’s specifically based on this invaluable data.
The Diligent Approach Making a Difference
Built on the cornerstones of accountability, precision and transparency, Ridgefield Partners believe in following a diligent approach to their M&A services. To this end, the firm focuses on building a stable ground for the transaction process from the very onset. From developing materials for the transaction process to creating a marketing strategy that targets the desired buyers/sellers, Ridgefield Partners relentlessly works to ensure the valuation and transaction processes are carried out smoothly.
Becoming Vanguards of the Client’s Interests
Every decision taken by the Ridgefield team foregrounds the interests of the client. The firm undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the client’s business to get acquainted with its drivers and resources. Such in-depth assessment, coupled with thorough knowledge of the client’s goals allows the firm to craft a strategy that’s both unique and specific. As staunch believers in the value of communication, the team at Ridgefield strives to ensure that the channels of dialog remain open. The firm believes in not just privileging dialog, but rather dialog that represents the client’s voice and views. Clients are informed about every development and change in the transaction process, as and when it happens to ensure that they are always in the loop.
Crafting a Legacy
Ridgefield Partners has established a legacy of unmatched calibre with its client-centric approach, relentless due-diligence, robust hands-on experience, and a clear intention to make a difference. With offices in Denver, Settle, Portland, and Nashville, Ridgefield focuses on bringing best value to clients across the geographical locales and industry segments. In the days to come, the firm hopes to continue serving its clients with the same honesty and precision as it does today, shattering its existing $7 Billion aggregated sales transaction value records.
Magazine 
