Types of transactions
Berkshire primarily seeks companies with good growth prospects, whether they are immediately ahead or may be achievable after addressing various operating or financial challenges. Once we are engaged and working with management, we work together to design a strategy, capital structure and equity incentives that will encourage the achievement of mutually agreed performance.
Berkshire is comfortable working with either private or public companies, and we welcome special situations that require creativity and analytical rigor to understand the full potential of an opportunity.
For private companies
Berkshire has historically invested mostly in private companies because of advantage in our ability to fully dialogue with management and sellers, as well as our ability to plan for and execute long term improvement strategies after closing the transaction. Opportunities for Berkshire to invest typically arise as a result of a founder seeking liquidity from his or her business for estate purposes; a company owned by another financial buyer who is seeking a realization on an investment; or a divestiture of a business line or segment from a larger corporation.
Leveraged buyouts
We organize LBOs and participate in buyouts organized by management and other investment partners.
Recapitalizations
We assist in organizing the recapitalization of a business in which management retains significant ownership. Berkshire participates as either a majority or minority partner.
Growth capital investments
We provide equity to support growth opportunities that are beyond the funding capacity of other company resources.
Privatizations
We have been instrumental in transforming government-owned organizations into private businesses.
For public companies
Berkshire will also consider investments in public companies. The complexity of public companies has increased dramatically under the Sarbanes-Oxley legislative period. As a result, many public companies have turned to private equity sources to solve a variety of needs.
Take private transactions
We assist public companies in going-private transactions.
PIPES (Private Investment in Public Enterprise)
We purchase preferred stock or other non-public securities issued by public companies.
Equity stakes
We purchase common stock or other public securities issued by public companies.
For special situations (public and private)
While Berkshire typically seeks companies with strong records of success, we also seek companies that possess more operating and strategic challenges. Berkshire's business analysis skills and broad network of resources make us well-suited to assist a company achieve its potential.