Australia’s Business Brokers

ReGroup Solutions , 12 Aug 2020 Ian’s client was a director who had been in business for 51 years as cladding contractor. The Company had up to 100 employees working from owned factory premises and on-site at large commercial building sites nationally. The Director had been thinking of succession and made contact with Ian to investigate the sales potential of his long-standing and reputable business. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis struck and the Company’s supply chain was severely impacted. The Director sought the advice of a registered liquidator, who recommended external administration. The Director’s hopes of achieving a positive sale quickly diminished and the position with the bank meant there was now a serious risk he would lose his family home.  Operating nationally, Benchmark has a huge database of prospective buyers and Ian had already generated significant genuine interest by drafting an impressive Information Memorandum and selectively negotiating with several key interested parties. Ian was concerned over the liquidator’s advice to his Client. The Director was being pressured into placing the company into voluntary administration (which Ian could see was premature and too drastic). Ian had identified his Client’s potential and felt that any insolvency procedure would unnecessarily destroy the company’s goodwill and asset values.  ReGroup Solutions would like to give a huge thanks to Ian for referring his client, the Director, to us for a second opinion. After conducting our preliminary analysis, ReGroup Solutions advised the Director on his capacity to utilise the ‘insolvency safe harbour’ under section 588GA. The new legislation, effective since September 2017, provides directors with protection from insolvent trading personal liability whilst they explore a range of restructuring and turnaround strategies. This enabled the Director to continue trading his business so that a ‘going concern’ sale could still be actively pursued by Ian. This meant Ian could still maximise the outcome for his Client by continuing his strategic negotiations.  ReGroup Solutions provided initial crisis management advice and then proceeded to investigate the various restructuring and turnaround options with the Director. The insolvency Safe Harbour provided the director with breathing space and enabled Ian Haggerty to continue his negotiating with key interested parties. The team at ReGroup Solutions worked closely with Ian Haggerty throughout the entire process – despite being an extremely complex matter, made worst by the COVID crisis, we’re delighted to say that Ian successfully negotiated a tremendous outcome for his Client!   Ian lead the way in agreeing a sale of his Client’s business, assets and the large factory premises. This not only meant the majority of workforce kept their jobs but the indebtedness to the bank could also be fully satisfied. The Director’s home was no longer at risk and Ian’s Client stands to walk away with potential surplus of $1.5m. The deal stands to return 100c in the dollar to trade creditors. Ian even secured his client a two year consultancy position with the purchaser - and at an exceptional rate! Ian’s Client can now take a well-deserved step back, with his impeccable reputation intact.   On a personal level, it was an absolute pleasure collaborating with a skilled negotiator such as Ian. The very purpose of the insolvency Safe Harbour is to help the director find a ‘better outcome’ for all stakeholders by utilising a skilled team of professionals. In this particular case, Ian was able to get an outstanding outcome for his Client on multiple levels. This was despite the extremely difficult and volatile market conditions.  Congratulations to Ian Haggerty on what has ended up being a landmark Safe Harbour win for his Client! Ian Haggerty receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Ian was the Managing Director/Owner of Pipe Shield, a specialised pipeline inspection, maintenance, rehabilitation company. Ian sold his business to Veolia. He has also worked internationally for companies such as Trafalgar Water Inc., where he was a consultant to a number of North American companies within the utilities, services and water industries where his main role of operations was in mergers and acquisitions, consolidation proposals, market analysis, securing funding for growth, and new technology introduction and acceptance. Get to know more about Ian Haggerty and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Ian Haggerty is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Samantha Jones , 01 Jan 2018 I’m probably one of the happiest seller you will find! Benchmark was fanatical at managing the sale and guiding the entire process. I got the price I wanted and a quick sale. Thanks for all your efforts

I am truly impressed by your negotiating skills and also your dedication to us as clients. We appreciate the amount of work you put into getting the job done which was well beyond what should have been required. My experience with Benchmark is beyond what we could have expected and you have helped for us to realise a life long dream which will help set our family up for the future.  You also gave me the best advice i have ever heard and i am sure to use it in all parts of my life in the future. “Next person who’s speaks, looses.” Absolute gold! Best wishes for the future. Melissa and Matt Hopper. Ian Salter receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Ian has a passion for helping clients, Buyers, or Sellers, to move to their next chapter in the most profitable and least disruptive manner. Licensed to operate in Qld and NSW Ian possesses high-level organisation skills and loves detail. Exceptionally skilled and experienced in sales and business, Ian has developed professional sales training techniques from recognised global sales training organisations and has owned, operated, and sold several of his own businesses since the 80’s. Get to know more about Ian Salter and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Ian Salter is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

"Thank you, John, for getting my business sold. John had a buyer straight away to Purchase our business. The process did take some time going through leasing which painfully long. The shopping Centre took 8 weeks to process the application and then with the Covid 19 we nearly lost the buyer but John was straight on to it making the necessary call to The Centre to make sure The buyers were approved. To finish off we settled the business the same day salons got told to close. Remarkable effort during these crazy times." John Kasapi receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. John really prides himself on offering his clients exceptional customer service, combined with his wealth of sales and industry knowledge. He has “been there and done that”, as he has owned his own business, and he has worked in many top salons around the world – and has experienced everything this industry has to offer. Get to know more about John Kasapi, and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. John Kasapi is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

"Karl was professional and diligent - very good transaction facilitator." Sam Leigh Karl Barban receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review.  Karl has enjoyed a successful career in the transport industry for 18 years, during which time he owned and operated his family business. As part of his service offering, he has supported large scale relocation and setups of manufacturing and distribution companies, providing Karl invaluable experience in this industry. Get to know more about Karl Barban and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Karl Barban is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Mark , 01 Feb 2018 I contacted Nikki after finding her as the agent for many salons in Sydney. She found me a great salon that suited my needs. Nikki and I worked together from there as she broke down the information about the salon of interest. She assisted with all aspects of the purchase, despite me sometimes being overseas and in hard to reach areas. She facilitated all the negotiations with landlords and vendor on my behalf and also recommended a solicitor that she works with to help with the contract. Great salon- great job Nikki. Thanks for all your help

Hamish , 13 Dec 2018 Wow – what a ride Nikki! When selling my salon I didn’t know there could be so many things to work out and negotiate so a massive thank you Nikki, for keeping me on track through this difficult process. There were many twists and turns in the road but you broke them down step by step and dealt with each one as you came across it, and it worked! I am now happy to have completed the salon of my salon and I am enjoying the new direction I am moving in. Thanks Nikki for working with me through this and for achieving the best result possible!

Ian was a pleasure to work with. While we understood that he worked for the seller his guidance on the process of purchasing and regular communication throughout was outstanding. Katrina Phillips | May 2022 Ian Salter receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Ian is dedicated to producing the best result possible for his clients through the application of hard-earned knowledge, experience, and insistence upon the upholding of professional standards. He also interacts frequently with a network of like-minded professionals, such as Solicitors, Bank Managers, Accountants, Finance Brokers, State Managers, National Managers, and Master Franchisors, not only to assist with the sale process for either a Buyer or Seller, but also to stay in touch with industry changes. Get to know more about Ian Salter and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Ian Salter is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Paul , 13 Dec 2018 ” Thank you Michael. Thank you for your assistance and persistence with this Michael, I know we were not really in your “demographic” but we needed help with it and you did a great job. I would be happy to recommend you in the future. ” Kind Regards Paul

"It’s amazing that Ashmore Carpets was sold the first time around over 20 years ago. Bruce did a great job then and we knew he was the person to contact when we decided to sell again. Once we listed the business with Benchmark and met Keith, we knew it was only a matter of time until he found the right buyers. From the beginning, we were very impressed with Keith’s professionalism and attention to detail. Nothing was too much trouble. His positive attitude and experience with dealing with obstacles that occurred, such as the buyers obtaining a new lease were second to none. He was always contactable and always followed up every step of the sale process. If anyone is considering selling their business, large or small, we would thoroughly recommend Keith and the team at Benchmark Business. Thank you again Keith. It was a pleasure working with you and best wishes for the future."  - Alan and Donna Weatherall | July 2021 Keith Brewster receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Keith has an enviable reputation at Benchmark, built upon these principles. Testimonials and Google reviews from both buyer and sellers attest that this is what his clients can expect. He has a thorough understanding of the sales processes for business sales of both small to large businesses, across many sectors, with a principal focus on sales in the automotive sector. Away from work Keith enjoys long distance bike rides, fun runs and is a regular gym junkie. He enjoys a wine with social tennis, whilst at the same trying to keep the ball between the white lines. Get to know more about Keith Brewster and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Keith Brewster is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.