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Closings

Three deals in close. Despite the outward perception that transactions are difficult in this uncertain economy closely held business continue to change hands. It takes a while depending on the company, valuation, market, profitability etc and the time to close can take anywhere from 5 months (very short) to a year. We are now in the process of taking two signed LOI’s to close and attempting to finalize a third LOI, from that point the process is from 45 days (very short) to 90 days to close.

If an owner is the least bit concerned about the potential reelection of the “Marxist Obama Regime” it might be time to move on.

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What are we working on?

You can tell a lot about an investment banking group by asking about there current deals (without the names)

Closing a $30 million dollar sale of a Food Grade Hauler, Midwest Based.

Getting close on a smaller sale of another Food Grade Hauler in the Midwest.

Doing a debt placement for a Recycled Metal company in the Southwest.

Woking on the sale of a $30 million Hauler of commodity products in the Rocky Mountain States.

In discussions with a Dry Van hauler, Texas and Referated Hauler and a Oversized Load trucking company in the Midwest.

In discussion with a rapidly growing branded Produce Company.

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Keep many “balls in the air”

As we develop the trucking and logistics marketplace the total market of buyers and sellers begins to shrink. In our case we attempt to contact close to 300 trucking/logistics company a week to determine “who is buying” and “who is selling” or “is there a need for capital to buy…”. The market remains active as it appears that those who held off selling in the recent down years are now ready to make a move. The possible expiration of the 15% Capital Gains rate is an incentive as well.

While there are many sellers, the typical type of deal in this industry has included senior bank debt, a small amount of equity and a sellers Note. This doesn’t sit well with many sellers and creates a significant opportunity for Clarke, whose experience was first on the capital side prior to its focus on Transportation.

We are also seeing many local SW companies still having problems with bank loans and have sources for non-bank private debt.

The market is coming back strong and the next 18 months are likely to be the last for low valuations on acqusitions as many companies are accelerating in growth and EBITDA multiples.

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Trucking Industry Coverage

Our recent coverage has been focused on the bulk transport side of the business in areas as Food Grade, Chemical and basic sand and gravel. We look nationally for sellers and have developed an extensive database of buyers. In certain instances we will negotiate the LOI for our own investment,

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Trucking M&A

By all measures M&A activity in the transport industry appears to be very high. We are seeing numerous buyers at different levels from the Private Equity Funds, Large Strategic buyers and the small and large family owned transport companies.

Bulk transport, whether its food grade, chemical or basic sand and gravel, is desirable.