Tag Archive for: BusinessValuation

The Doomsday Ratio

Is your company prepared to survive a doomsday scenario? Economic uncertainty can emerge quickly and challenge even well-managed businesses. Without meaningful financial measurements, business owners may struggle to understand how their companies are truly performing.

Financial ratios provide objective benchmarks for evaluating a company’s financial health. They convert information from the income statement and balance sheet into standardized measurements. Owners can compare those measurements over time, against competitors, or across the broader industry. These comparisons often reveal strengths, weaknesses, and trends that traditional financial statements may not immediately identify.

Liquidity ratios deserve special attention during periods of economic uncertainty. These ratios measure a company’s ability to satisfy short-term obligations without raising additional capital. Strong liquidity provides flexibility, supports daily operations, and helps businesses withstand unexpected disruptions.

Common liquidity ratios include the current ratio, quick ratio, days sales outstanding, and the Doomsday Ratio. Each ratio measures liquidity from a different perspective and provides valuable insight into financial stability.

The Doomsday Ratio offers the most conservative measure of liquidity. It assumes the worst possible operating environment and ignores every current asset except cash and cash equivalents. The ratio is calculated by dividing cash and cash equivalents by current liabilities. The result indicates whether available cash can satisfy short-term obligations without relying on receivables, inventory, or external financing.

The Doomsday Ratio becomes even more valuable when tracked over time. A declining ratio may signal increasing financial pressure before more serious problems develop. An improving ratio may indicate stronger cash management and greater financial resilience.

No single financial ratio tells the entire story. Business owners should evaluate multiple ratios together and consider industry benchmarks when assessing financial performance. An experienced M&A advisory team can help interpret these measurements, identify potential risks, and recommend strategies that strengthen financial performance before a crisis occurs.

Delta Services, LLC has been acquired by The State Group, Inc.

Delta Services, LLC has been acquired by The State Group, Inc.

ABOUT THE TRANSACTION:

Delta Services, LLC (the “Company” or “Delta”) has been acquired by The State Group Inc.

DELTA SERVICES, LLC:

The Company launched in 2004 and operates from Louisville, Kentucky. Delta Services functions as a privately owned, bonded, and fully insured electrical contractor. The team delivers electrical construction, communication systems, fire and security systems, safety services, utility distribution, and PLC controls. Delta operates across Kentucky, Southern Indiana and surrounding states. The Company employs over 230 union electricians and 35 additional staff members.

THE STATE GROUP, INC.:

The State Group launched in 1961 and operates from Toronto, Canada. The company provides comprehensive electrical and mechanical trade services to Fortune 100 clients. It serves the power generation, automotive, oil and gas, communications, metals and transportation industries. The State Group is backed by New York-based private equity firm, Blue Wolf Capital Partners LLC, and Vancouver-based private equity firm, Yellow Point Equity Partners. The company operates 18 offices throughout the United States and Canada. Additionally, it employs over 800 professionals and skilled trades people across eleven crafts. These teams complete nearly 2,000 projects each year. They repair, maintain and construct critical infrastructure. The team prioritizes safety and delivers consistent, high-quality execution.

“Our successful sale to State Group is a testament to our team’s collective effort to be the best in providing high quality, value added electrical solutions for our customers and to our commitment to the local communities we serve,” said Kevin Waldron, President of Delta Services. “We’re excited to join State Group as we begin the next chapter of Delta Services’ growth and success.”

“The addition of Delta Services provides an exciting opportunity to partner with a company aligned with our own values in prioritizing quality of service, not price,” said Thomas Santoni, President and CEO of The State Group. “Delta Services has a strong brand built on a foundation of nearly 40 years of high quality service. We are proud to welcome Kevin and the entire Delta team into the State Group family as we grow our existing business in Louisville and expand our footprint into greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

Allston Advisory Group served as the exclusive financial advisor to Delta Services, LLC, and conducted a confidential, competitive sale process that included both strategic and financial buyers.

ABOUT ALLSTON ADVISORY GROUP:

Allston Advisory Group is an experienced M&A advisory firm providing mergers & acquisitions, business valuations, and exit strategies, to lower middle market companies. The firm has an established track record of serving corporate clients across a broad spectrum of industries throughout the United States. Allston Advisory Group has the experience, professional fortitude, and quality of work that enable the firm to consistently deliver high-level results to its clients.

For additional information on this transaction, please contact one of our advisors.

NEWS SOURCES: 

Business Wire

EC&M

Crunchbase

Bloomberg

Comstock Brothers Electric Company, LLC has been acquired by The State Group, Inc.

ABOUT THE TRANSACTION:

Comstock Brothers Electric Company, LLC (the “Company” or “Comstock”) has been acquired by The State Group Inc.

COMSTOCK BROTHERS ELECTRIC COMPANY, LLC:

The Company launched in 1999 and operates from Louisville, Kentucky. Comstock functions as a privately owned, bonded, and fully licensed electrical contractor. The team delivers power distribution, electrical construction, process controls, conveyors, and package handling solutions. Additionally, Comstock serves automotive clients and provides design-build and electrical testing services. Comstock Brothers Electric Company creates value through responsive service, strong diagnostic capabilities, and reliable execution. The team meets critical deadlines and consistently “Exceeds Energy Expectations.”

THE STATE GROUP, INC.:

The State Group launched in 1961 and operates from Toronto, Canada. The company provides comprehensive electrical and mechanical trade services to Fortune 100 clients. It serves the power generation, automotive, oil and gas, communications, metals and transportation industries. The State Group is backed by New York-based private equity firm, Blue Wolf Capital Partners LLC, and Vancouver-based private equity firm, Yellow Point Equity Partners. The company operates 18 offices throughout the United States and Canada. Additionally, it employs over 800 professionals and skilled trades people across eleven crafts. These teams complete nearly 2,000 projects each year. They repair, maintain and construct critical infrastructure. The team prioritizes safety and delivers consistent, high-quality execution.

Allston Advisory Group served as the exclusive financial advisor to the Comstock Brothers Electric Company, LLC, and conducted a confidential, competitive sale process that included both strategic and private equity buyers.

ABOUT ALLSTON ADVISORY GROUP:

Allston Advisory Group is an experienced M&A advisory firm providing mergers & acquisitions, business valuations, and exit strategies, to lower middle market companies. The firm has an established track record of serving corporate clients across a broad spectrum of industries throughout the United States. Allston Advisory Group has the experience, professional fortitude, and quality of work that enable the firm to consistently deliver high-level results to its clients.

For additional information on this deal, please contact one of our advisors.

NACVA’S 2015 40 UNDER 40 HONOREES!

Allston Advisory Group is pleased to announce that Senior Managing Director Nolan K. Kapp has received national professional recognition. Specifically, the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts, (“NACVA”) has selected Kapp as a 2015 NACVA 40 Under 40 Honoree.

NACVA recognizes emerging leaders throughout the business valuation and financial consulting professions. The program identifies professionals who demonstrate achievement, leadership, professional expertise, and a commitment to advancing their respective fields.

In particular, the NACVA 40 Under 40 program highlights professionals who have established themselves as emerging leaders before the age of 40. Honorees represent different areas within valuation, financial consulting, litigation support, accounting, mergers and acquisitions, and related advisory services.

ABOUT NOLAN K. KAPP

Kapp serves as Senior Managing Director of Allston Advisory Group, an independent mergers and acquisitions advisory firm. In this capacity, he advises privately held companies on mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, and exit strategies. At Allston, Kapp works closely with business owners preparing for significant financial and ownership transitions. His responsibilities include financial analysis, business valuation, transaction preparation, buyer identification, negotiations, due diligence, and transaction execution. Beyond technical expertise, successful advisory work requires an understanding of each business owner’s individual objectives. Accordingly, Kapp focuses on developing transaction strategies that reflect both financial considerations and the owner’s broader goals.

ABOUT ALLSTON ADVISORY GROUP:

At the same time, the recognition reflects Allston Advisory Group’s commitment to providing disciplined financial and transaction advisory services. The firm serves privately held, lower middle market companies across numerous industries throughout the United States.

Notably, NACVA and the Consultants’ Training Institute emphasize professional excellence, technical quality, leadership, and innovation within the financial consulting profession. Through these efforts, the organizations bring together professionals from across the valuation and advisory communities. Throughout 2015, NACVA will recognize the honorees through several of its professional publications and communications. Among them, featured outlets will include The Value ExaminerQuickReadBuzz, Association News, and other NACVA distributions.

Taken together, NACVA 40 Under 40 recognition represents a significant professional achievement for Kapp and Allston Advisory Group. Moreover, it reinforces the firm’s continued commitment to serving business owners through complex valuation and M&A decisions.