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The Art and Science of Building a Spirits Brand for Acquisition

Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & Westfield

Release Date: 07/17/2024

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Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & Westfield

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Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & Westfield

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Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & Westfield

Show Summary:  Geoff Coltman, Senior VP at Catena Solutions, discusses M&A integration in the food and beverage sector. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the human element and the “why” behind decisions. Geoff highlights the challenges of maintaining regular communication and the need for open communication and partnership with organizations to ensure successful change management. He also discusses the importance of starting with the end goal in mind and ensuring alignment and communication throughout the integration process. Want To Learn More?  ...

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Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & Westfield

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Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & Westfield

      Show Summary: Rich Kottmeyer, investment banker and food and agriculture turnaround specialist shares his extensive knowledge of M&A activity and growth potential in the food and agriculture industry. This complex industry is experiencing fundamental changes driven by consumer preferences, technological advancements, and global conflicts. This is leading to new avenues for investments, and multiples ranging from 5-30 times EBITDA across different sub-sectors in the food and agriculture markets. Want To Learn More? ...

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Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & Westfield

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Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & Westfield

Let’s talk spirits in this engaging discussion of all things whiskey. Charlie Rodman, a venture capitalist and whiskey expert, shares his knowledge of the spirits industry, emphasizing the importance of finding the right product for every individual. He discusses the intricacies of whiskey distillation, including grain sourcing and maturation in oak barrels, the future of the industry, the emergence of craft distilleries with innovative new brands, and adapting to evolving consumer preferences.  What You’ll Learn About the Industry: The whiskey industry is diverse, with a wide...

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Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & Westfield

“If you build it, they will come” is an expression that applies to starting a company as well as a baseball field. Thinking about what buyers want and avoiding the pressure to sell in a specific timeframe can help you increase your company’s value when the time comes to sell. With 25 years in M&A in the wine and spirits industry, Guillaume Thomas helps sellers understand what buyers look for in a consumer brand. He also shares how he has used these same lessons to start his own company, which has grown out of his four-generation family cognac business. What You’ll Learn ...

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Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & Westfield

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Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & Westfield

What you’ll learn: F&B Oversight: An overview of the key regulatory agencies involved in food and beverage manufacturing and how to ensure compliance, including FDA, USDA, FTC, and state-level requirements. Innovation: How new drugs and technologies are impacting consumer preferences and forcing industry innovation. Due Diligence: Common legal issues that arise in food and beverage M&A transactions and how to address them through proper due diligence. Preparation: Best practices for compliance programs and how following a Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle meets regulatory objectives and...

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“If you build it, they will come” is an expression that applies to starting a company as well as a baseball field. Thinking about what buyers want and avoiding the pressure to sell in a specific timeframe can help you increase your company’s value when the time comes to sell. With 25 years in M&A in the wine and spirits industry, Guillaume Thomas helps sellers understand what buyers look for in a consumer brand. He also shares how he has used these same lessons to start his own company, which has grown out of his four-generation family cognac business.

What You’ll Learn

  • Branding: How to build a consumer brand with long-term value and growth potential in mind in the age of social media and influencers.
  • Exit Planning: How planning for the eventual sale of a business can impact growth, including what the drivers are behind multiples and how they change specifically in the spirits industry.
  • Valuation: The importance of realistic valuations, the impact they have on negotiations, and why it is critical to understand the buyer’s motivations.
  • Sales and Marketing: Focus on building brand loyalty with customers and end consumers since the reorder rate is a critical metric in consumer goods for strategic buyers.

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