AI Issue 4 2017

14 Acquisition International - April 2017 a2e’s operations closely resemble those of a traditional London Merchant Bank, but with an entrepreneurial perspective and a distinctive focus and ethos. We invest in or acquire underperforming mid-market industrial companies. We were pleased to win 2016’s Leading Investment Expert award for the United Kingdom, so following this we write more about our expertise in investment. ur aim is to affect a transformation of the key fundamentals of the businesses, thus ‘enabling/revitalising’ the corporates and empowering the managers to prosper in the global marketplace. An inspirational and sustainable investment model, fit for the 21st Century, applied with passion and integrity. The three prongs of the transformative process are: • An astute strategic assessment of a business’s competences/competitive environment; • An entrepreneurial deployment of our own funds and; • A robust alignment of our execution/ management capabilities and respective interests. Since inception in 2001, a2e has distinctly ‘embraced’ investing in or acquiring mid-market industrial/ manufacturing businesses, in special situations such as turnarounds, stagnant businesses, shareholder conflicts or exits, financial distress and businesses poised for substantial growth. We see great opportunity in this challenging and contrarian niche, in which only very few others dare to get involved. We can ‘unlock’ the potential, preserve and enhance wealth by deploying a2e’s entrepreneurial flair, as augmented by a high level of expertise and involvement. Our potent expertise, ‘enabling’ ethos and sharing of the rewards with all stakeholders brings together the three “pillars” of success, i.e. strategic expertise, funds to invest and execution capability in a co- ordinated fashion. Our ability to act decisively, effectively and speedily, significantly differentiates us from others. Company: A2E Industries Limited Ltd Web: www.a2evc.com Address: No. 1 Marsden Street, Manchester, M2 1HW Phone: +44 (0)161 923 6000 Investing in Industry O 1701AI53 a2e’s impressive progress and track record is due to this all-encompassing approach and our entrepreneurial perspective to creating value/wealth for Mid-market businesses and shareholders. Our Academy of Executives, consisting of ‘seasoned’ and successful industrialists/CEO’s is a source of inspiration and sound/creative advice to a2e’s portfolio company managers. The anatomy of a2e’s operations, fundamentally distinguishes us from others. In addition, the following characteristics enhance our unique proposition. We mainly invest on a selective basis, in businesses with a neglected industrial brand and/ or in special situations. We are a long-term value investor with no predetermined parameter or exit timetable. We inspire the people within the business and help them develop a shared strategic vision and a road map to wealth creation, tailored to the business’s strengths. Wealth is created by empowering the managers to invest in/upgrade the business fundamentals and to create sustainable competitive edges fit for the global marketplace. We create alignment of objectives with the managers and other stakeholders by sharing the rewards and we are cognisant of preserving the best features of a business including the loyalty of the people. a2e is unrivalled because it has an ‘enabling’ ethos, deploying the key pillars of successful investing (see below) in Mid-market businesses. Wealth creation strategy Uniquely we focus on ‘shareholder strategy’ first and foremost. This would naturally determine the investment parameters, risk appetite and at the outset, a clear path to enhancing value. The vision for the business and the corporate strategy is then determined firmly within this context. A key attribute of a2e is its vast experience and expertise in evaluating, determining and implementing appropriate shareholder and corporate strategies. Funding solution We deploy our own funds to invest as equity and debt in mid-market companies. The ability to commit “We can ‘ unlock ’ the potential, preserve and enhance wealth by deploying a2e’s entrepreneurial flair , as augmented by a high level of expertise and involvement.”