For Owners
We Want to be Your Partner
At CPC, we are dedicated to working with business owners and entrepreneurs who are passionate about their companies and are looking to take their businesses to the next level. Our focus on this specific group (as opposed to buying from other private equity firms) allows us to bring a unique set of skills and experiences to the table. We understand the challenges that business owners and entrepreneurs face, and we are committed to helping them navigate the complex landscape of the lower middle market.
Our team has a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into building a successful business, and we are passionate about supporting the growth and success of our partners. If you are a business owner or entrepreneur looking for a partner to help you take your company to the next level, we would be honored to work with you.
Ask Us Anything
Why private equity?
Private equity firms allow the owners of privately held businesses to access liquidity and realize a return on their investment—often one where they have “all their eggs in one basket”. The seller may decide to remain involved in the business and retain some of their ownership following the initial transaction, allowing them to take a second “bite at the apple” and experience a more profitable payoff during a subsequent sale. Private equity partners also provide capital to accelerate the growth of a business by investing in infrastructure, internal growth initiatives and strategic add-on acquisitions. Lastly, private equity partners support management teams by bringing additional industry and operational resources to the table. At Century Park, we work closely with an operating team to oversee and improve all operational aspects of our businesses. Our Executive Council members also bring invaluable industry insights and years of senior management experience to our portfolio companies. We think private equity can really help transform companies and take them to the next level—operationally, financially and strategically.
What’s an ideal Century Park investment?
We are a growth-oriented investor specializing in smaller middle market companies that are profitable, exhibit growth opportunities (both internal as well as through add-on acquisitions), and which occupy a defensible niche within their business segment. Many of the companies we invest in are family-owned or involve private owners looking to retire or transition to a more passive role. We always listen to a seller’s objectives in order to craft a solution tailored to meet the needs of all parties involved.
How much is my company worth?
We consider several factors when determining the value of a prospective business, including the valuations of similar businesses, the overall size of the business and its historical and projected financial performance (specifically growth rates and operating margins). Additional factors that are taken into consideration include a company’s market share within its industry, the expected growth of the industry as a whole, the diversity and quality of the company’s customer base, the quality of the company’s management team and the capital intensity and working capital requirements of the business.
How are deals structured?
We always consider the needs of the seller when structuring our transactions. Selling business owners may receive proceeds in cash, stock, a note or in the form of a contingent payment based on the company’s future financial performance (referred to as an “earn-out”). Sellers often elect to “roll over” or reinvest a portion of their proceeds back into the company, allowing them to profit with us in the next transaction. We also cooperate with sellers to devise tax-efficient structures for our investments.
How long does it take to close a deal?
Each transaction is different, but it is typical for a deal to close within 60-90 days following the issuance of a letter of intent. As a fiduciary, we have a responsibility to gain a thorough understanding of a prospective business before making an investment. To accomplish this, we engage third party consultants to help us carry out customary legal, insurance, environmental, tax and accounting reviews. We also spend time with management to learn more about the company’s products and services, market position and customer relationships. We believe it is important to spend time with management learning the company’s story and developing a strong working relationship. Once the preliminary terms of the deal are agreed upon, we will provide management with a list of requests needed to complete our confirmatory due diligence. The timing of the closing will depend, in part, on the company’s ability to provide answers and supporting documentation to fulfill our requests. We always endeavor to complete our due diligence as efficiently as possible in order to minimize the time required of the company’s management… we know it is not easy to run a company and deal with a transaction simultaneously!
How do you work with management?
Once a transaction is closed, we work closely with the management team at each company to develop a detailed business plan, or “Value Creation Blueprint” which serves as a roadmap for our investment and outlines our operating strategy. We hold monthly calls and quarterly board meetings with the management teams to discuss each company’s financial performance, evaluate potential strategic add-on acquisitions and discuss any general business initiatives and updates. Typically, the Executive Council members involved with the particular transaction will be involved in all of these interactions. Having said that, our approach has always been to serve as a non-intrusive, value-added partner to management, since they are the people that know the business best. We encourage sellers to select the investor they believe will maximize value post-close, bring relevant expertise to the boardroom and make the best overall business partner. At Century Park, we place heavy emphasis on “fit” and believe finding the right cultural fit is just as important as a track record of strong financial performance.
Who works with me post close?
Because we are a lean organization, we can ensure that the team you interact with during the initial transaction will be the same team you work with post-close. Each deal will involve a Century Park Managing Partner to the lead the transaction, along with supporting 3 deal team members. You will also work closely with our operating team and Executive Council members.
What is your view on ownership post-close?
We believe in entering transactions as true partners with management. Sellers often decide to retain some of their ownership and remain on the board of directors or assume a more passive managerial or consulting type role post-close. We have also worked with sellers who are looking to completely transition out of the business. In all cases, we use a collaborative approach with management, always adhering to our key tenets of integrity, transparency, alignment and respect. Because we believe in entering into transactions as true partners with management, we allow key team members to participate in a management equity-based incentive program and encourage the senior members of the management team to invest alongside us in transactions. We would encourage you to talk to the managers of past and current portfolio companies to learn what kind of partner we have been.
What’s your typical hold period?
We typically target a 3-5 year hold period for our investments. However, this may vary between companies depending on the amount of time it takes to maximize value and accomplish key objectives set forth in our “Value Creation Blueprint”. We have held investments for close to ten years, too … it is always situation specific.