Consulting M&A Weekly Round-up (5th to 11th May, 2024)

Welcome back to another consulting M&A round up. Not much has happened in the week gone by, but there still has been slight movement with a couple of firms making interesting purchases. AlixPartners and Marshall & Stevens have made acquisitions and we will be delving deep into those two deals.

#1. AlixPartners purchases German automotive consulting firm Berylls

AlixPartners, a prominent global management consulting firm, has recently acquired a significant portion of Berylls, a top-tier German consultancy specializing in the automotive sector.

Founded 13 years ago by Jan Burgard, Jan Dannenberg, and Andreas Radics, Berylls has emerged as a key player in the German automotive consultancy landscape.

Through this acquisition, AlixPartners has integrated two key units of Berylls: its consulting arm, Berylls Strategy Advisors, and its creative & digital arm, Berylls Mad Media. This move has resulted in the addition of approximately 160 professionals to AlixPartners' Automotive practice, bolstering its expertise in the field.

The majority of the new team members are located in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), significantly expanding AlixPartners' presence in these markets. Additionally, some members will join offices in the UK, the US, South Korea, and China.

This acquisition marks a significant milestone for AlixPartners, representing its first deal in three years and its inaugural venture into the German market.

#2. Marshall & Stevens acquires SBA valuation firm Reliant

Marshall & Stevens, a valuation and dispute consulting firm headquartered in Los Angeles, has completed the acquisition of Reliant Business Valuation and Reliant Equipment Appraisals, a Cranbury, NJ-based company specializing in Small Business Administration (SBA) valuations and appraisals.

Established in 2009, Reliant has delivered numerous appraisals for businesses and equipment to satisfy the requirements of SBA 7(a) loans for a wide range of financial institutions and their small business clientele.

"Marshall & Stevens is a trusted resource for financial institutions globally, providing the essential independent analyses, opinions, and information needed for crucial financing decisions," stated Mark Santarsiero, the president and CEO of Marshall & Stevens. "With the inclusion of Reliant, we are poised to enhance our support to the SBA divisions of these institutions."

Robert Vafiadou, director of Reliant Business Valuation, expressed enthusiasm about the merger: "Marshall & Stevens offers a comprehensive suite of valuation and consulting services to financial institutions. Our team eagerly anticipates the opportunity to collaborate and better cater to our clients and the SBA community. From commercial real estate appraisals to litigation support and intricate estate and gift tax reporting analyses, we are now equipped to assist a broader spectrum of clients."

Closing Thoughts

And that’s a wrap for this week’s consulting M&A news from around the globe. I really hope you enjoyed this read. And if I’ve missed out on any deals, please write to me and make it known. In the meantime, take care and I’ll see you all again next week with another round-up.