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.

I just took over my store a few weeks ago. I would like to thank Sam, the best broker and his colleagues. They are supportive and helpful. I have a great experience of buying this business with their support. - Van Vu Kieu

M. Richardson , 13 Dec 2018 “Tu is an exceptional broker. Tu earned every bit of his commission! His dedication to clients and communication is better than any other broker i have dealt with in the past (and I have dealt with plenty!) M. Richardson Tu Nguyen receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Tu has worked in many different industries – managing several significant large client portfolios, ranging from telecommunications, through to agricultural, and the automotive and marine industries to name a few. Get to know more about Tu Nguyen and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Tu Nguyen is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Lisa Oakes , 08 Apr 2019 I got a phone call out of the blue from Clyde who said that he had a buyer and really wanted me to list my salon so that he could introduce them to my salon, it was all quite random but the timing was perfect because I was scheduled to have surgery early in the new year and would be out of action for months after the surgery. I was a little dubious that there really was a buyer, but I actually received an offer the day after I signed the agreement! Things definitely weren’t all smooth sailing though. The contract period went over the Christmas break and then the buyer had to go overseas for 6 weeks and all the accountants and solicitors were also on holidays! I thought the sale was off however Clyde was very calm and reassured me that the sale would proceed when the buyer was back from overseas, which it did. Now I can focus on my recovery without the stress of running the business, awesome job!

" We found them so helpful all the way through the sale which took quite a while and required a lot of changes from the buyer. Keith communicated with us and kept us up to date with the sale the whole time. The team were great help with guidelines on forms and emails that needed to go to our solicitor to keep the sale on track. Keith helped me through many issues and his knowledge was amazing on what we needed to move forward with. Keith was one of the most professional people I have ever worked with and would recommend him and Benchmark to any of my business associates when selling. Thank you to Benchmark and your team it was hard going but with you having our backs we got there." - Sandi and Roy Koops | 11 Dec 2021 Keith Brewster receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. When it comes to putting a sale together that works for all parties, his principles are: Transparency. Doing business honestly and transparently, is in his words; “the only way to go, anything else is too stressful” Communications As a communicator Keith is clear, concise and frank. He makes sure everyone is in the loop and maintains a clear focus on the needs of each party. Enthusiasm and Positivity Keith knows that enthusiasm and positivity are essential ingredients of sales success and he has both in spades. Customer Care For Keith looking after the needs of his clients comes first and foremost in everything he does.  He has a long track record of facilitating sales built on a foundation of customer care. 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.

Tu was given the task of selling a great regional business and showed patience, professionalism and determination to finally get the best result. I recommend Tu to anyone wanting to sell their business. He genuinely cares about his clients. - Tony

Dennis , 13 Dec 2018 Working away from home when selling a salon is not easy but Benchmark took care of everything. They set up viewings after hours, confirmed all arrangements along the way and liaised with my conveyancer, which helped the process. Thanks Benchmark for finding a great buyer for the salon and I can now concentrate on my other business more knowing that the salon is in good hands. Appreciate you coordinating everything! Thanks for your service

"We have dealt with John over the past few years. He has always been incredibly professional and offered right and constructive advice. He understands what we are after, and always super transparent. Would definitively highly recommend him as a broker." - Nilay Bhagat | 13 Sep 2021 John Kasapi receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. John Kasapi specialises in the sale of hair and beauty salons across all states in Australia. He has more than 15 years of experience working in the hair and beauty industry – so he really knows and understands the industry and the marketplace much better than most. 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.

Maria Chadwick , 13 Dec 2018 I used another broker before Benchmark and they did nothing. John and Iain jumped straight on board and worked their magic!! The business was only listed for 2 days before they had a buyer interested and committed. The process was interesting especially as I was overseas but we managed to get through it successfully. I’m happy as I haven’t had to say goodbye to the business I’ve been able to stay on and work part time for the new owner a great result for all parties

Jules , 13 Dec 2018 I first made contact with nikki several years ago and talked to her about various plans we had for the salon Industry. When these plans changed and we decided to go a different direction, my first call was to Nikki to discuss what we were looking for. She has helped us work through the process at every step and was straight forward in her approach. We worked well together and will stay in touch with Nikki for anything we are doing in the future. Thanks for your assistance Nikki in this project and we look forward to the next one!