BestValue doesn’t just assist sellers eager to hand over their company to new owners! The company also has the opportunity to guide buyers through their acquisition project. This is the case for Pierre Joris, the proud new owner of the Simonis establishment in Plainevaux. Impressed by the vision and ambition of this entrepreneur, Ianis Fourneau and Pierre Thiry had the chance to advise him through the various stages of the acquisition process. Let’s take a look, with Pierre himself, at some key moments in his journey.
A well-defined project
For this agronomist, who later trained in entrepreneurship at HEC and then spent two years as an apprentice at the Simonis establishment, the opportunity to buy the butcher shop was obvious. Unlike some entrepreneurs looking to acquire a business without a specific target, Pierre Joris had a different approach: “From the very first contacts with BestValue, I knew exactly which company I wanted to acquire. I knew the business and its owner very well, as he had been my mentor for many months. So, I was both the entrepreneur buying the business from someone else, but also, in a way, the ‘son’ taking over a family business.”
Guidance from a Consulting Firm: Essential!
Having been made aware of the importance of support during the transfer process, Pierre Joris did not hesitate to seek BestValue’s help with this project. “Thanks to my training, I knew that the value of a business went far beyond its financial value alone.” The company name, the skills of its staff, location, administrative documents, permits… all these factors can indeed influence the value of a company. “I was fully aware that all these elements, some of which go well beyond the analytical and financial aspects, could jeopardize the viability of an acquisition project, just as much as an incorrect valuation.”
What are the two key elements that ensured the success of this acquisition?
“Sometimes it’s underestimated, but I have complete confidence in the expertise of youth. And this transaction proved me right!” explains Pierre Joris. Indeed, the buyer greatly appreciated the crucial involvement of BestValue throughout the process, the team’s expertise, and the balance found by his two advisors between maintaining good relationships and defending the interests of their client.
Furthermore, at the end of this transaction, Mr. Joris remains convinced of the critical role played by the transfer firm. “Yes, despite the assistance, for the buyer, the support comes at a cost. But in the end, I believe we have everything to gain from being well-advised!”
A first step towards a larger project
For Pierre Joris, the acquisition of the Simonis butcher shop is the gateway to a broader project. While ensuring the long-term sustainability of the establishment’s operations remains his top priority, the entrepreneur also wants to address the environmental challenges within the agro-food sector. How? By encouraging farms to offer a variety of smaller quantity productions and come together to use a single production facility, transformation process, and common sales points. This is a call to visionary individuals who would like to join him in this promising adventure.
