Case Study

Stevenson implements a highly targeted sale process to sell Retail Merchandising Company to a strategic buyer.

Client
Prism Retail Services

Business category
Services – Business Services

Sale background
Our client: Prism Retail Services provides in-store merchandising services to leading retailers and consumer brand companies throughout the United States. Founded in 1992, the company has grown to over $30 million in sales and 3,000 employees.

Prism serves a blue chip list of customers in the grocery, drug and office retail market segments. It enjoys a sterling reputation due to its operational excellence and outstanding management team.

The buyer: Footprint Retail Services provides retail logistics and end-to-end routing, storage, delivery, installation and servicing of displays and fixtures through a national network of service providers. It is a portfolio company of Chicago Growth Partners.

The acquisition allowed Footprint to grow its retail merchandising platform by adding light merchandising services. Significant cross-selling opportunities exist by leveraging the complementary client base.

Why Stevenson & Company was retained
Bob Shallenberg, owner and CEO of Prism was referred to Stevenson by a trusted advisor after discussing his interest in exiting the business. After meeting with several M&A firms, Stevenson & Company was retained because of its track record of success, proven ability to conduct a confidential targeted sale process, and chemistry with the Stevenson team.

The Stevenson Advantage

• Developed a highly targeted list of strategic buyers including those who had contacted our client in the past
• Prepared compelling marketing materials highlighting the operational strengths and niche markets the company serves
• Secured confidential meetings with virtually all of the suitors identified as most attractive by the client

Deal summary and results
Stevenson & Company successfully completed the sale, including:

• An offer price more favorable than our client expected
• Retention of management team and organization
• A closing of the transaction during very difficult economic times

Client response
Mr. Shallenberg commented that he was “extremely pleased with Stevenson’s guidance throughout the sale process which is more complex than I realized. I was not prepared for the emotional ups and downs or the vast number of items that need to be negotiated during a business sale. Stevenson provided the insight and counsel I needed”.