After closing a record 22 transactions in 2019, the Calder Capital/Small Business Deal Advisors team cranked up the volume and drove home 15 closings between January-April 2020, breaking the record for most closings in a four-month period.
“We are pushing steadily towards breaking our firms’ annual records,” noted Calder Managing Partner, Max Friar. “COVID-19 has absolutely had repercussions throughout the M&A markets. But all one can do it put their head down and continue to push. That is exactly the culture of Calder and Small Business Deal Advisors, a culture of closing. There is no waiting. We are going. Every day we wake up into the only reality that is, and we adjust and adapt to this new normal because that is what we have to do.”
“The greatest part about this year’s successes is how widespread they were shared among the team,” Friar continued. Eight transactions occurred under the Calder banner and seven under the SBDA flag. The advisors that shared in the firms’ closings during this time were Rick Purcey, Matt Baas, Doug Yntema, Sam Scharich, Garrett Monroe, Ghazey Aleck, Patrick Robey, Edson Ramirez, Scott Nicholson, and Matt Uhl (congrats fellas!). 13 of the clients’ businesses are located in Michigan, one in Indiana and one in Iowa. In terms of industry breakdown, 33% were manufacturing, 47% service businesses, 13% distribution, and 7% restaurant.
Here is a complete list of Calder/SBDA closings through April 30, 2020.
| Client | City of Client | Advisor | Buyer Type | Industry |
| Laser Access, Inc. | Grand Rapids, MI | Calder | Individual | Manufacturing |
| Topps Safety Apparel, Inc. | Rochester, IN | Calder | Strategic | Manufacturing |
| Premier Paper & Supplies, Inc. | Grand Rapids, MI | SBDA | Strategic | Distribution |
| Family Wellness Center | Midland, MI | SBDA | Individual | Service |
| Family Fitness | Holland, MI | SBDA | Individual | Service |
| D.C. Martin & Sons Scales, Inc. | Grand Rapids, MI | Calder | Strategic | Distribution |
| Boelcke Heating & Air Conditioning | Stevensville, MI | Calder | Individual | Service |
| Foxbright | Grand Rapids, MI | Calder | Individual | Service |
| Campbell Murch Memorials | Mattawan, MI | SBDA | Strategic | Manufacturing |
| College H.U.N.K.S. | Des Moines, IA | SBDA | Individual | Service |
| 2B Studios | Ada, MI | SBDA | Individual | Service |
| eVideon/Spectrum Health Ventures | Wyoming, MI | Calder | Strategic | Healthcare Manufacturing |
| Graphics Embossed Imaging | Grand Rapids, MI | Calder | Individual | Manufacturing |
| Dickey’s BBQ Pit | Novi, MI | SBDA | Individual | Restaurant |
| Stonewall Road Automotive Group, LLC | SE Michigan | Calder | Private Equity | Service |
Friar noted, “Thus far in 2020, five sales have happened with strategic buyers seeking to expand their service offering and/or geographic footprint, nine closings have gone to individual investors primarily desiring to become owner/operators, and one closing was with a private investment group seeking a platform for future growth.”
“We are looking forward to continuing momentum into 2020. We have 10+ opportunities under contract and we are confident that we will smash our 2019 record this year!”