Business Carve-Outs: Best P... | Lippes Mathias LLP

Business Carve-Outs: Best Practices

March 7, 2017 | Corporate Blog

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR CARVE-OUTS

A carve-out transaction is a type of divestiture in which a business unit or division is sold. Carve-outs can be structured as the sale of interests in an entity or as an asset sale. Carve-outs tend to be more complex transactions that involve greater levels of planning to disentangle the assets or entities to be sold from the retained business. Below, we list some of the key considerations in making a carve-out divestiture:

Preparation & Messaging

Structuring - identify potential issues, evaluate tax implications to help determine structure and engage advisors early to help in the process.
Control messaging - establish a clear and consistent message to communicate the proposed transaction to existing stakeholders (business partners, employees, management and the broader public). This minimizes both external and internal stressors and unease.

OPERATIONAL ISSUES

Clarify operational issues and entanglements – lay out what will be retained and what will be sold, including a detailed inventory of the operations and assets to be divested.
Prepare a post-transaction representation of how both businesses will look after giving effect to the divestiture (to evaluate post-transaction operations, cash flows, cost structures and tax effects).
Together, these steps will highlight the major decisions to be made and risks to be managed.

Transition services: ensure that critical functions remain in place during the transition of ownership

Identify which areas the buyer will need transition services on day 1 post-acquisition
Key negotiating points of a transition services agreement include the term of the agreement, the scope of services and the price to be charged for such services
The seller will want to limit the time and scope of the transition as it can be costly and distracting from the seller’s ongoing business concerns

OVERVIEW OF CARVE-OUT TRANSACTION PHASES

Phase 1 - Preparation

Define key selling points and, if necessary, prepare marketing materials (ie. the management presentation and information memorandum)
Prepare confidentiality agreement
If applicable, market the transaction and finalize buyer list
Preliminary legal work gathering seller-side diligence and addressing any carve-out specific issues (ie. shared contracts, segregating assets, etc.)
Prepare data room due diligence materials for proposed buyer(s) to review

Phase 2 - Initial Negotiations

Arrange diligence visits and materials
Coordinate responses to buyer questions
Negotiate letter(s) of intent with finalist(s) and pick a buyer

Phase 2 - Negotiating the Deal

Negotiate asset purchase and sale agreement and ancillary agreements
Coordinate additional due diligence
Execute definitive agreements
Receive requisite approvals for the transaction
Prepare for closing

Phase 4 - Closing

Closing
Perform post-closing obligations and covenants (ie. obligations under a transition services agreement)

Disclaimer: The information in this post is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from our firm or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

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John J. Koeppel
Partner | Team Leader - Private Equity | Team Leader- Independent Sponsor