Flourish Research Holdings, LLC Acquired Central Research Holdings

  • Background: Central Research Associates, Inc. (“CRA”), based in Birmingham, AL, is a leading, founder-owned, multi-specialty clinical research site, offering clinical trial opportunities to patients in Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
  • Cassel Salpeter:
    • Served as financial advisor to CRA
    • Successfully identified a strategic buyer interested in expanding its footprint in the Southeastern U.S.
    • Was deeply involved in the process from buyer selection through closing
  • Challenges:
    • Expedited marketing process to ensure the sellers timeline was met
    • Maintained original deal timeline despite challenging market conditions
    • Navigating extensive diligence process without interrupting the business
  • Outcome: In April 2023, CRA was acquired by Flourish Research Holdings, LLC (“Flourish Research”), a large clinical trial site network in the U.S.

Corbett Technology Solutions, Inc. Acquired Firecom

  • Background: Firecom, Inc. (“Firecom”), based in Woodside, NY, is the largest fire alarm company in New York City, servicing approximately 800 high-rise buildings, and is one of only five companies in the U.S. to manufacture its own fire life safety systems for high-rise buildings.
  • Cassel Salpeter:
    • Served as financial advisor to the company
    • Ran a highly-focused competitive sales process, identifying and contacting strategic buyers
    • Assisted in the structuring, negotiating, and closing of the transaction
  • Challenges:
    • Maximizing and delivering value for synergies
    • Managing ownership and operational complexities
    • Navigating extensive diligence review process
  • Outcome: In June 2022, Firecom was acquired by Corbett Technology Solutions, Inc. (“CTSI”), a leading provider of communication, collaboration, life-safety, and security solutions for clients across the East Coast.  CTSI is a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners.

M3 Wake Research acquired MSRA Company

  • Background: Multi-Specialty Research Associates (“MSRA”), based in Lake City, FL, is a founder-owned clinical research site, conducting Phase I-IV clinical trials. Since its inception, MSRA, a leader in clinical trials, has conducted clinical trials for leading sponsors in therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics.
  • Cassel Salpeter:
    • Served as financial advisor to the company
    • Ran a focused, competitive sales process, identifying and contacting strategic and financial buyers
    • Successfully identified a strategic buyer interested in expanding its operations in Florida
    • Was extensively involved in the process from buyer selection through closing
  • Challenges:
    • Expedited sale and due dilligence process to ensure the sellers timeline was met
    • Balancing seller’s objectives to maximize value while preserving organizational structure
  • Outcome: In May 2022, MSRA was acquired by M3 Wake Research, headquartered in Raleigh, NC, an integrated organization of premier investigational sites, with over 16 research locations throughout the U.S.

The Aaron’s Company acquired BrandSmart U.S.A.

  • Background: BrandsMart U.S.A. (“BrandsMart”), based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, is a leading Southeast U.S. appliance and electronics retailer, offering a wide selection of brands, and thousands of products, including appliances, consumer electronics and computers, furniture, and other home goods. 
  • Cassel Salpeter:
    • Served as financial advisor to the company
    • Facilitated the due dilligence process, working closely with the team to expeditiously and clearly answer acquirer’s questions
    • Assisted in the structuring, negotiating, and closing of the transaction
  • Challenges:
    • Ensured the desires were met to carry on the company legacy after decades of family ownership
    • As it was an unsolicited transaction, the seller was not fully prepared for the nuances of a sales process
    • Extensive due dilligence process without interrupting business, while working to meet the timing needs of a public company acquirer
  • Outcome: In April 2022, BrandsMart was acquired by The Aaron’s Company (NYSE: AAN), a leading technology-enabled, omnichannel provider of lease-to-own and purchase solutions with headquarters in Atlanta, GA.

PROS Holdings, inc. acquired EveryMundo

  • Background: EveryMundo (“EveryMundo, LLC”), based in Miami, FL, is the leader in SaaS fare marketing technology focused on helping airlines, travel, and events businesses maximize their reach and engagement, enabling deeper relationships with their customers across multiple channels to bypass third-party aggregators and drive direct booking opportunities.
  • Cassel Salpeter:
    • Served as financial advisor to the Company
    • Ran a focused, competitive sales process, identifying and contacting strategic and financial buyers
    • Successfully identified a strategic acquirer looking to gain greater market penetration and enhance its digital consumer engagement offerings
  • Challenges:
    • Helping potential buyers understand EveryMundo’s rapid growth trajectory, sustainability, and expansion into new adjacent markets
    • Maintaining tight timeline for transaction process without interfering with business growth trajectory
  • Outcome: In November 2021, EveryMundo was acquired by PROS Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: PRO), a provider of SaaS solutions optimizing shopping and selling experiences with headquarters in Houston, TX.

Spectrum Vision Partners acquired Comprehensive Eye

  • Background: Comprehensive Eye M.D. (“Comprehensive Eye”), based in Long Island, NY, is a physician-owned and operated ophthalmology practice. Comprehensive Eye provides patients with best-in-class ophthalmologic medical and surgical care.
  • Cassel Salpeter:
    • Served as financial advisor to the Company
    • Assisted company in exploring strategic alternatives including the sale of the company
    • Introduced and evaluated potential strategic partners
    • Worked closely with physician owner to navigate all phases of the sale process and achieve optimal transaction for a long-time, closely held business
  • Challenges:
    • Sale process conducted during pandemic
    • Ensuring seamless transition after decades of physician ownership
    • Maximizing and delivering value for synergies
    • Navigating extensive diligence review process
  • Outcome: In October 2021, Comprehensive Eye was acquired as part of a significant regional roll-up strategy by Spectrum Vision Partners, a portfolio company of Blue Sea Capital.

Citadel Consulting Group, LLL acquired Opis

  • Background: Opis Management Resources, LLC and Gabriel Living Centers, LLC (“Opis”), founded in 2003 and based in Tampa, FL, is one of Florida’s leading providers of long-term and post-acute care, comprised of 10 skilled nursing facilities and an assisted living facility offering comprehensive rehabilitation, advanced practitioner, and community-based services throughout Central Florida.
  • Cassel Salpeter:
    • Served as financial advisor to the Company
    • Conducted a robust sales process, identifying and contacting over 100 strategic and financial parties
    • Successfully identified a strategic buyer interested in expanding its operations in Florida
  • Challenges:
    • Facilities impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
    • Completed sales, marketing, and closing virtually
  • Outcome: In January 2021, Opis was acquired by Citadel Consulting Group, LLC, who owns and operates multiple nursing homes and care centers in Florida, as well as in other parts of the U.S., and has an extensive track record of providing a high standard of care.

Westchester General Hospital acquired by Sanitas

  • Background:Westchester General Hospital, Inc. (“Westchester”), founded in 1967 and based in Miami, FL, is a 125-bed, family-owned acute care hospital providing quality, patient-centered care.  Westchester also helped develop a graduate medical education program that has trained hundreds of physicians who serve across the nation.
  • Cassel Salpeter:
    • Served as financial advisor to the Company
    • Conducted a robust sales process, identifying and contacting over 100 strategic and financial parties
    • Successfully identified an international buyer that was looking to expand their footprint in Florida
  • Challenges:
    • Distressed operations with negative cash flow
    • Ensuring a smooth transaction while dealing with the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
    • Navigating the ever-changing Paycheck Protection Program  and CARES Act guidelines relating to mergers and acquisitions
  • Outcome: In October 2020, Westchester was acquired by Sanitas USA, Inc. a subsidiary of Keralty SAS, an international health enterprise leader in patient-centered care and health outcomes.

Moviefone Assets sold to Born In Cleveland, LLC

  • Background:  Moviefone, a subsidiary of Helios and Matheson Analytics, Inc., is an entertainment information and marketing service that delivers movie showtimes, trailers, TV schedules, streaming information, cast and crew interviews, and editorial coverage.
  • Cassel Salpeter:
    • Served as financial advisor to the Company
    • Conducted a robust sales process, identifying and contacting a broad set of strategic and financial parties
    • Provided assistance throughout all phases of the Chapter 7 Section 363 sales process, due diligence, and auctions
  • Challenges:
    • Moviefone was losing value over time due to limited attention and resources; the assets needed to be sold in a short time frame in order to preserve value
    • Limited information and resources available at the Company
    • Maximizing the value of the estate during a global pandemic
  • Outcome:  On March 19, 2020, the court approved the sale of the Moviefone assets to Born In Cleveland, LLC.  Additional assets were also sold as part of the bankruptcy sales process.

Alta Equipment Company acquired Flagler

  • Background:  FlaglerCE Holdings, LLC (“Flagler”), founded in 2008 and based in Tampa, FL, engages in the sale, rental, and servicing of heavy construction equipment.  Flagler has the exclusive rights to distribute Volvo Construction Equipment in the state of Florida.  Flagler operates six main branches across Florida.
  • Cassel Salpeter:
    • Served as financial advisor to the Company
    • Ran a competitive bidding process amongst a select group of potential buyers, maximizing proceeds for Flagler’s stakeholders
    • Provided assistance throughout all phases of the sale process
  • Challenges:
    • Distressed operations with short timeline to close the deal
    • Multi-constituent transaction that required the successful funding of a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC)
  • Outcome:  On February 14, 2020, Alta Equipment Company acquired Flagler.
    • Alta Equipment Group Inc. owns and operates integrated equipment dealership platforms in the U.S.  Alta Equipment Company merged with B. Riley Principal Merger Corp., a SPAC, and changed its name to Alta Equipment Group Inc.