What’s My Court Reporting Firm Worth? – Simple Rules of Thumb
Thinking of selling your court reporting or litigation support firm? The first question most business owners ask is “what’s my business worth?”
Most businesses, including court reporting agencies and litigation support firms, are valued based on a multiple of the cash flow they generate. This cash flow is often referred to as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization or “EBITDA”.
The following multiples are used by business brokers, buyers and lenders to get a ballpark idea of the value of a business.
EBITDA SELLING PRICE MULTIPLE
$0 – $50,000 1.0-1.5 times EBITDA
$50,000 – $150,000 1.5-3.0 times EBITDA
$150,000 – $250,000 3.0 times EBITDA
$250,000 – $500,000 3.0-4.0 times EBITDA
$500,000 – $1,000,000 4.0-5.0 times EBITDA
Over $1,000,000 5.0-6.0 times EBITDA
The multiple can vary widely depending on a number of factors including size of the business, historic trends in revenues and profits, risks related to sales reps or reporters that have their own books of business, customer concentration, or other factors that might impact the future cash flow of the business.
How to Calculate the EBITDA of Your Court Reporting Firm
To calculate your court reporting company’s EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, start with the profit shown on your P&L statement or tax return, then and add back interest, depreciation, and amortization. EBITDA is the starting point for any business valuation so it’s a good number to track on an annual basis.
In addition, it is important to calculate your EBITDA correctly. EBITDA should reflect a market-based salary for the firm’s owner. However, if you own your own firm you can pay yourself an above market salary and offer yourself perks that a buyer will not incur. These “excess” expenses can often be added back to your EBITDA resulting in a higher valuation. As a result, it is important to work with an objective third party to evaluate what adjustments can be made to your EBITDA to truly reflect the operating cash flow of your business.
Don’t Leave Money on the Table When Selling Your Court Reporting Firm
While rules of thumb and valuation multiples are easy to use, they are notoriously inaccurate because they don’t consider the unique value drivers or value detractors of your business. Using valuation rules of thumb will give you a rough idea of what your business is worth, but to get a more accurate idea, the valuation should account for things like your agency’s past trends in performance, type of clients, recurring revenue, use of technology, management depth, projected growth, and other things.
To get an accurate valuation talk with a business broker or M&A advisor who specializes in representing professional services companies, including court reporting and litigation support firms. They will work with you to make the appropriate adjustments to your EBITDA, evaluate your business and client base, and value your firm properly so you don’t leave any money on the table when you sell.
At Jackim Woods & Co. we use the discounted cash flow and comparable transactions valuation methods to provide clients with an accurate, market based, idea of what their court reporting and litigation support firms are worth.
Get a Free, No Obligation Market Assessment of your Court Reporting Firm
If you’d like to begin exploring your options, contact Rich Jackim, Managing Partner at Jackim Woods & Co. (224-513-5142 or rjackim@jackimwoods.com) to get a FREE Valuation and Market Assessment. There is no cost or obligation and all conversations are strictly confidential.
Read MoreVeritext Acquires David Feldman Worldwide Court Reporting
Veritext, the national leader in court reporting and litigation support solutions, announced that it has acquired David Feldman Worldwide (DFW) Court Reporting. DFW’s experience with very complex litigation cases and exemplary customer service complements Veritext’s full breadth of technical solutions and world-class data security. Together they will offer clients of both companies premier court reporting and litigation support solutions.
“DFW’s expertise in very complex litigation fits well with the experience and advanced technology Veritext brings to the table,” said Nancy Josephs, Chief Executive Officer of Veritext. Clients of DFW will have immediate access to Veritext’s state-of-the-art deposition suites, multimedia depositions, document repositories, remote depositions, online and mobile scheduling, paperless depositions and more. In addition, they will experience the world-class, HIPAA-compliant data security Veritext offers. “Combining the services of both companies makes the perfect union,” Josephs continued.
DFW was founded by David Feldman in 2002 along with his two children, Michael and Sheril, who have owned and operated the company since 2009. DFW’s client-facing team will stay on with David Feldman Worldwide, a Veritext Company after the acquisition, ensuring that clients will receive the same stellar service they have come to expect. DFW is based in New York City and serves clients across the United States and in foreign locations.
“By joining with Veritext, we will be able to offer our clients a full breadth of technology solutions to make the deposition process more effective. They will also have access to the more than 50 Veritext offices around the country,” said Michael Feldman, President of David Feldman Worldwide, a Veritext Company. “Veritext shares our commitment to quality court reporting and impeccable service, which makes this transition the perfect fit for our clients and our employees.”
Veritext is the largest nationwide provider of deposition and litigation support solutions, providing court reporters, advanced technology and services to law firms and corporations across the United States. Veritext has been serving the legal community since 1997 and has extensive experience in all types of complex litigation. The company recently announced acquisitions in Florida and New Jersey and their expansion in the St. Louis marketplace. More information can be found at www.veritext.com.
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Jackim Woods & Co Advises School Health on Acquisition of Palos Sports
HANOVER PARK, IL – School Health Corporation announced today that it has acquired Palos Sports, Inc., based in Alsip, IL. For over 60 years Palos Sports has been a leading distributor of physical education supplies to school districts, park districts, and Special Olympics programs throughout the United States. Educators and recreational groups look to Palos Sports for innovative sports, recreation and physical fitness products and equipment, as well as for curricula and knowledge to make their programs more impactful and successful.
School Health is the leading national provider of health supplies, services and solutions, serving professionals in educational settings in the fields of Sports Medicine, Health Services, Special Education and Early Childhood. With over 20,000 physical education, recreation and athletic items in stock, Palos Sports’ products and customers complement School Health’s offerings.
“Together, School Health and Palos Sports will boast the nation’s largest offering of health and wellness products to the education market in the areas of Physical Education, Sports Medicine, Health Services, Special Education and Early Childhood,” said Rob Rogers, President, School Health Corporation. “We both seek to improve the health and well-being of students in schools across America. We are pleased that Palos Sports is now part of the School Health family.”
“Palos Sports is a perfect addition to our offerings given that physical education is playing an ever-important role in helping students maximize their learning potential,” said Scott Cormack, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, School Health Corporation.
School Health Corporation will maintain Palos Sports as a separate company which will continue to operate in Palos’ current facility, supported by Palos’ dedicated employees who will join the School Health organization. The company will operate under the name Palos Sports, a School Health company. Dan Dunne will continue as president of Palos Sports.
We are very excited to be a part of the School Health team,” said Dan Dunne, President, Palos Sports. “Our team is proud to be a part of School Health’s vison and commitment to the health, development and wellness of all students. Today we start an exciting journey together, combining our talents and knowledge with a great company.”
Rich Jackim, a managing partner at Jackim Woods & Company, advises School Health Corporation on its corporate development activities and arranged the transaction.
About School Health
Since its founding in 1957, School Health has been helping school-based health professionals keep students healthy both physically and mentally. As a national, full-service provider of health supplies and services it serves health professionals in educational settings from pre-school to college; collaborating with customers and advocating for the health of those entrusted in their care. School Health’s comprehensive offering includes health supplies, sports medicine equipment, early childhood products, and special needs aids. The company goes beyond merely supplying products by also providing product support, training, advisory services and exceptional customer care.
About Palos Sports
Palos Sports was founded in 1957. With 60 years of expertise in physical education, Palos Sports provides equipment and curriculum to schools nationwide. The company’s offerings are specifically designed to meet standards set by SHAPE America. The physical education and recreation equipment provider is known for its expert knowledge and individual attention provided to each physical educator, curriculum director, and sports director it serves.
About Jackim Woods & Company
Rich Jackim, Jackim Woods & Company, advises School Health Corporation on its corporate development activities and arranged the transaction. Jackim Woods & Company provides financial advisory services on mergers and acquisitions to clients nationwide.
Read More2017 Business Owner Exit Planning Survey
The 2017 Business Owner Survey conducted by Jackim Woods & Co. provides some interesting insights how owners of privately held companies are thinking about ownership transition. 80% of the respondents to this year’s survey were between 45 and 70 years. The businesses they owned had reported revenues of between $500,000 to $75 million. The survey included responses from companies in the manufacturing, business and consumer services, and distribution sectors.
The survey showed that:
78% of business owners plan to exit their businesses in the next 10 years.
75% would exit today if the net proceeds were enough to ensure a comfortable retirement.
81% of business owners have no “heir apparent” or “internal successor” to take over the business.
How Prepared are Owners for an Exit?
It is interesting to note that despite the vast majority of business owners wanting to exit as soon as possible or within 10 years, very few have taken proactive steps to get prepared. This year’s study found that:
If you are beginning to think about your options, please feel free to contact us to learn more about the M&A process and how you can begin to prepare yourself and your business for a successful exit. In our 20+ years of experience working with business owners, we have learned that the most successful exits take sound planning and solid execution of that plan, so it’s never to early to begin a discussion with us.
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REV Group Acquires Midwest Automotive Designs
The REV Group (NYSE: REVG), a $2+ billion manufacturer of specialty vehicles, recently acquired Midwest Automotive Designs (“Midwest”), a leading converter and upfitter of luxury vans and RVs.
Midwest was formerly owned by private equity group, Pegasus Capital Group (“Pegasus”). In just three years as part of the Pegasus portfolio, Midwest’s revenue more than doubled to $45 million. Founder and President, Tim Gray, remained a major shareholder following the original investment. Gray’s leadership and the capital infusion accelerated the company’s expansion by leveraging Midwest’s superior products, reputation and brand to develop new markets and distribution channels, including those for Class B RVs.
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RV Shipments Expected To Rise To 491,200 Units In 2018
According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, RV wholesale shipments are expected to reach 479,700 units by year-end 2017, an 11.4% increase from the 430,700 units shipped in 2016, and climbing an additional 2.4% to reach 491,200 units in 2018. These projections were presented by industry expert, Dr. Richard Curtin in the RVIA’s Fall issue of RV RoadSigns newsletter. This would make 2018 the ninth consecutive year of expansion for the RV market, eclipsing the previous record of five growth years between 2002-2006.
“The favorable RV outlook is based on continued modest gains in jobs, incomes and household wealth with relatively low levels of inflation, unemployment and interest rates,” said Dr. Curtin, who is the Director of the Surveys of Consumers at the University of Michigan and who has conducted RV industry market research for almost 30 years.
Towable RV shipments are project to rise to 419,500 in 2017 and to 429,300 in 2018. Motorhome shipments will also see gains, growing to 60,200 units in 2017 and 61,900 units in 208.
Dr. Curtin’s 2018 projections are based, in part, on the strong performance of the RV industry through the first half of 2017. RV wholesale shipments reached 256,430 units, up 13.3% over the first six months of 2016. Year-to-date totals for towable RVs are up 13.2% to 223,644 units with motorhome shipments up 14% to 32,786 units.
The continued growth in the RV industry confirm’s Jackim Woods & Co’s predictions that mergers and acquisitions activity in the industry will remain strong throughout 2018.
For more information on RV market data and research, visit the “Market Data and Trends” section of www.rvia.org.
Jackim Woods & Company RV Industry White Papers
For additional information on Recreational Vehicle industry mergers & acquisition or how to value an RV dealer, please download one or more of our recreational vehicle white papers.
- 2017-2018 RV Manufacturing Mergers & Acquisitions Outlook
- 2016-2017 RV Dealer Mergers & Acquisitions Report
- How to Value an RV Dealer
Jackim Woods & Co Advises on Acquisition of Computer Tutor Business & Technology Institute
Jackim Woods & Company is pleased to announce that it arranged the sale of Computer Tutor Business & Technology Institute to a private investor. Computer Tutor is a Title IV post-secondary institution that offers business and medical administration programs to students in Northern California.
Computer Tutor Business and Technical Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). It received the ACCSC School of Excellence Award. The buyer was a former school owner who had sold his very successful allied healthcare school in the Midwest to a private equity group in 2016.
Rich Jackim, a managing partner at Jackim Woods & Company represented both the seller and the buyer in arranging the transaction. Jackim Woods & Company represents buyers and sellers of Title IV post-secondary colleges and institutions nationwide.
Read MoreValterra Products Acquires Minder Research
Valterra Products announced that it h as acquired Minder Research, a supplier specializing in wireless tire pressure monitoring systems for recreational vehicles and automotive applications. Minder also offers temperature monitoring systems for Agricultural, Commercial and Residential markets. This transaction is further evidence that merger & acquisition activity is increasing up and down the RV industry supply chain.
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Camping World Acquires Jack Sisemore Traveland
Camping World Holdings announced its acquisition of Jack Sisemore Traveland in Amarillo, Texas. Camping World currently operates full-service SuperCenters in Anthony, Cleburne, Houston, Lubbock, Mesquite, San Antonio, Sherman, and Tyler, Texas and retail accessory stores in both Denton and Fort Worth. The Jack Sisemore Traveland acquisition further expands the market footprint, increasing Camping World’s current presence in the state of Texas to eleven locations.
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