The global architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is flourishing with many opportunities for business leaders to scale infrastructure and ensure financial success. As many business owners in this industry are nearing retirement age and the market is flooded with huge amounts of unallocated capital, the mergers an acquisition market is bustling. Buyers and sellers in this industry need to have strategic M&A plans to mitigate risks to their businesses from the complex process. AEC business owners need in-depth market knowledge and the right expertise to streamline the process.

PSMJ Resources offers a broad range of services, including M&A advisory, training, publications, surveys, and conferences, exclusively for executives in the AEC industry. It is one of the most trusted and leading M&A advisors, with nearly 45 years of expertise in closing transactions.

“Our services are exclusive to the AEC industry. We take a strategic look at the firms and help them based on their goals. If the company wants to scale into different markets, we help them through acquisitions. If the owners want to retire, we help them to sell at the best price. We also have a worldwide team of consultants and trainers that educate leaders on best M&A practices in the AEC sector,” says Susan LeComte, vice president, client services, PSMJ Resources. PSMJ offers a wide spectrum of M&A options to address clients’ long- and short-term goals, developing customized approaches for every transaction, based on the needs of each stakeholder.

One engineering firm’s founder, who held 80% of the shares, wanted to sell and retire. The other 12 owners were younger and did not wish to give up ownership during the sale. PSMJ Resources offered the client a wide spectrum of options, including buyers from mega-firms willing to purchase the firm at a great price. But the deal meant existing employees would have to redeem their shares and become employees in either a 20,000-person or 50,000-person firm.

Instead, the owners chose the option of strategic buyers and private equity recapitalization buyers that provided equity rollover to those who wished to continue as an owner. The founder cashed out completely at the closing, and the younger members were allowed to invest more to get equity. This approach helped the founder retire in just 18 months, and a younger stakeholder is in a transition process to become the new CEO.
“We never push a one-size-fits-all solution. We focus on our clients and their individual goals. Our approach is to understand the different goals of shareholders and craft a customized solution to deliver results in the best consensus outcome. We look for a win-win for everyone involved in the M&A transaction,” says Karl Wohler, mergers & acquisitions advisor, PSMJ Resources.

Unlike other generic business consultants and CPA firms, PSMJ Resources only advises buyers and sellers in the A/E/C industry, and their expertise in the subject helps them overcome all the challenges in M&A transactions. The company believes in a focused approach to closing an M&A transaction, with confidentiality as a top priority. PSMJ Resources has successfully closed hundreds of M&A transactions of all sizes.