Episodes

  • Reducing Food Waste with Neolithics’ Innovative Technology

    Reducing Food Waste with Neolithics’ Innovative Technology
    Nov 25 2024

    Show Summary: This episode focuses on an AI agri-tech startup aimed at helping the produce industry increase profitability and sustainability. David Kat discusses how Neolithics’ technology allows for non-destructive testing of fruits and vegetables to assess quality and taste without damaging the produce. The technology aims to align the interests of all players in the food value chain, significantly reducing waste, saving growers, distributors, and consumers money, and ensuring that high-quality produce reaches consumers.

    View the complete show notes for this episode.

    Want To Learn More?

    • Food and Beverage M&A
    • Top 5 M&A Value Drivers for Tech & Software Companies
    • A Guide to Valuing Tech, Software & Online Businesses

    Additional Resources:

    • Selling your business? Schedule a free consultation today.
    • Download The Art of The Exit: The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business
    • Download Acquired: The Art of Selling a Business With $10 Million to $100 Million in Revenue
    • Download Food and Beverage M&A: An Insider’s Guide to Selling a Food or Beverage Manufacturing, Distribution, or Grocery Business.

    If you have any topic or guest suggestions please email them to podcast@morganandwestfield.com.
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    28 mins
  • Inside Secrets on Strategic Sourcing

    Inside Secrets on Strategic Sourcing
    Nov 11 2024

    Show Summary: Jonathan Gardner, a seasoned deal maker with extensive experience in strategic sourcing, discusses the importance of relationships and value-add services in the food and beverage industry. He shares insights from his tenure at Starbucks, Dell, and GM; stresses the significance of leveraging technology, such as AI and machine learning, to enhance procurement processes and improve cost savings; and underscores the importance of making procurement conversations more contextual and strategic.

    View the complete show notes for this episode.

    Want To Learn More?

    • Food and Beverage M&A: An Insider’s Guide to Selling a Food or Beverage Manufacturing, Distribution, or Grocery Business
    • M&A University
    • Art of the Exit
    • Acquired

    Additional Resources:

    • Selling your business? Schedule a free consultation today.
    • Download The Art of The Exit: The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business
    • Download Acquired: The Art of Selling a Business With $10 Million to $100 Million in Revenue
    • Download Food and Beverage M&A: An Insider’s Guide to Selling a Food or Beverage Manufacturing, Distribution, or Grocery Business.

    If you have any topic or guest suggestions please email them to podcast@morganandwestfield.com.
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    40 mins
  • For Sellers: How To Navigate the Human Element of M&A Integration

    For Sellers: How To Navigate the Human Element of M&A Integration
    Nov 1 2024

    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.

    View the complete show notes for this episode.

    Want To Learn More?

    • M&A University
    • Art of the Exit
    • Acquired
    • M&A Basics: Building a Sellable Business

    Additional Resources:

    • Selling your business? Schedule a free consultation today.
    • Download The Art of The Exit: The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business
    • Download Acquired: The Art of Selling a Business With $10 Million to $100 Million in Revenue
    • Download Food and Beverage M&A: An Insider’s Guide to Selling a Food or Beverage Manufacturing, Distribution, or Grocery Business.

    If you have any topic or guest suggestions please email them to podcast@morganandwestfield.com.
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    51 mins
  • Focus on the Positive – the World’s First Genetically Engineered Probiotics

    Focus on the Positive – the World’s First Genetically Engineered Probiotics
    Oct 1 2024

    Show Summary: For this episode, withhold judgment on genetic engineering and listen to this hands-on, honest look at the benefits of GMOs and genetic engineering. Dr. Zack Abbott is a microbiologist and pioneer in the world of genetic engineering with the world’s first genetically engineered probiotics. He is on a mission to elevate the conversation about GMOs, diving into how the human microbiome can help build and sustain health and what the future holds for engineered probiotics.

    View the complete show notes for this episode.

    Want To Learn More?

    • Top 5 M&A Value Drivers for Tech & Software Companies
    • Do Buyers of Businesses Pay for Potential?

    Additional Resources:

    • Selling your business? Schedule a free consultation today.
    • Download The Art of The Exit: The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business
    • Download Acquired: The Art of Selling a Business With $10 Million to $100 Million in Revenue
    • Download Food and Beverage M&A: An Insider’s Guide to Selling a Food or Beverage Manufacturing, Distribution, or Grocery Business.

    If you have any topic or guest suggestions please email them to podcast@morganandwestfield.com.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • How to Navigate the Complex Landscape of Food and Agriculture M&A

    How to Navigate the Complex Landscape of Food and Agriculture M&A
    Sep 3 2024

    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.

    View the complete show notes for this episode.

    Want To Learn More?

    • Food and Beverage M&A Overview
    • The Importance of Preparing for Due Diligence
    • Predictably Irrational, Revised and Expanded Edition: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dr. Dan Ariely (Author)

    Additional Resources

    • Selling your business? Schedule a free consultation today.
    • Download The Art of The Exit: The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business
    • Download Acquired: The Art of Selling a Business With $10 Million to $100 Million in Revenue
    • Download Food and Beverage M&A: An Insider’s Guide to Selling a Food or Beverage Manufacturing, Distribution, or Grocery Business.

    If you have any topic or guest suggestions please email them to podcast@morganandwestfield.com.
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    55 mins
  • Mergers, Acquisitions, and the Future of Cannabis Equipment

    Mergers, Acquisitions, and the Future of Cannabis Equipment
    Aug 21 2024

    Show Summary: Marc returns to discuss the twists and turns you can expect as an entrepreneur. Early in 2020, Marc was ready to sell his company for a whopping $80 million, but then COVID hit, and the deal died. In this episode, Jacob and Marc discuss the interesting journey he has taken since then, a journey that includes a merger, an acquisition, an oversight with large repercussions, and a brand-new business.

    View the complete show notes for this episode.

    Want To Learn More?
    • M&A Due Diligence | Checklist & Overview
    • M&A Closing Process | A Complete Guide
    • M&A Non-Compete Agreement | A Complete Guide
    • Culture, Cash, and Cannabis: Lessons from a Serial Entrepreneur

    Additional Resources:

    • Selling your business? Schedule a free consultation today.
    • Download The Art of The Exit: The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business
    • Download Acquired: The Art of Selling a Business With $10 Million to $100 Million in Revenue
    • Download Food and Beverage M&A: An Insider’s Guide to Selling a Food or Beverage Manufacturing, Distribution, or Grocery Business.

    If you have any topic or guest suggestions please email them to podcast@morganandwestfield.com.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Exploring the Changing Landscape of the Whiskey Industry

    Exploring the Changing Landscape of the Whiskey Industry
    Jul 31 2024
    View the complete show notes for this episode. 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 range of flavors and styles to suit different consumer preferences.About the Marketplace: Heirloom grains and contract distillation are emerging trends that are shaping the whiskey industry and the rise in craft distilleries.About Consumers: The alcohol industry is evolving, with younger consumers exploring alternatives like non-alcoholic options and cannabis-infused products.About Opportunities: Breaking into the whiskey market can be challenging due to regulatory hurdles, but there are opportunities for innovative brands to differentiate themselves. Want More? Related Resources: Food and Beverage M&A Industry TrendsFood and Beverage M&AM&A Basics | Why Do Business Owners Sell Their Business? Additional Resources: Planning to sell your business? Schedule a free consultation today. Download a free PDF copy of The Art of The Exit: The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business, Acquired: The Art of Selling a Business With $10 Million to $100 Million in Revenue, and Food and Beverage M&A: An Insider’s Guide to Selling a Food or Beverage Manufacturing, Distribution, or Grocery Business. Purchase your copy now of A Beginner’s Guide to Business Valuation | The Exit Strategy Handbook | Closing the Deal Listen to Other Episodes Alcohol and the F&B Industry – A Global Perspective with Alain Barbet Cannabis Drinks – The Latest Craze in an Evolving Market with Paulo SobralThe Art and Science of Building a Spirits Brand for Acquisition with Guillaume Thomas
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    33 mins
  • The Art and Science of Building a Spirits Brand for Acquisition

    The Art and Science of Building a Spirits Brand for Acquisition
    Jul 17 2024
    View the complete show notes for this episode. “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. Want More? Related Resources: Selling a Business: A High-Level OverviewBusiness Valuation Basics: 9 Critical Concepts to UnderstandBusiness Exit Plan & Strategy Checklist | A Complete GuidePreparing Financial Statements When Selling a Business Additional Resources: Planning to sell your business? Schedule a free consultation today. Download a free PDF copy of The Art of The Exit: The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business, Acquired: The Art of Selling a Business With $10 Million to $100 Million in Revenue, and Food and Beverage M&A: An Insider’s Guide to Selling a Food or Beverage Manufacturing, Distribution, or Grocery Business.Purchase your copy now of A Beginner’s Guide to Business Valuation | The Exit Strategy Handbook | Closing the Deal Listen to Other Episodes You’ll Never Get Pricing Right, But How Can You Get Better with Mark Stiving The Emotional Rollercoaster of Buying or Selling a Business with Drew Bisping Financial Due Diligence – Why It’s Important to Prepare for the Sale of Your Company with Patrick O’Connell Top Criteria a Corporate Acquirer Looks for in an F&B Company with Ben Cosgrove
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    1 hr