CHV Group LLC Research
Advisory Approach
CHV Group LLC is an independent business brokerage and M&A advisory firm founded in 2003 by Tony Koechli, bringing 25+ years of operational and strategic experience to lower middle market business owners. The firm operates with a clear thesis: successful business transitions require professional transaction management while founders maintain focus on running day-to-day operations to preserve business value. CHV Group serves as a dedicated intermediary, handling the complexity of deal preparation, buyer outreach, negotiation, and closing while allowing business owners to continue operating their companies effectively.
The firm's philosophy emphasizes transparency, integrity, and education throughout the exit planning process. Rather than treating each engagement as a transaction, CHV Group takes a coaching approach—helping owners understand market positioning, value drivers, and strategic options before going to market. This consultative style extends beyond traditional M&A advisory to include business strategy consulting, operational improvement guidance, and management team development.
Sector Focus
CHV Group maintains broad industry expertise across the lower middle market, with particular depth in several sectors:
Manufacturing and Industrial Services: The firm has experience with precision machining, value-added distribution, and capital equipment installation businesses. Tony Koechli's background in manufacturing turnarounds and lean strategies provides unique credibility with industrial companies facing operational transitions.
Agriculture and Food & Beverage: The firm works with family-owned farms, food processing operations, and beverage manufacturers. Understanding the complexities of supply chain management, seasonality, and equipment-heavy operations in this sector.
Transportation and Logistics: Experience with fleet operations, logistics providers, and distribution companies requiring specialized industry knowledge regarding asset valuation and regulatory considerations.
Construction and Engineering: Working with contractors, specialty trades, and engineering firms where project-based revenue streams and customer retention metrics drive valuation.
Business and Professional Services: Advisory experience with technical services firms, information services companies, and professional services practices where recurring revenue models and management team quality are critical value drivers.
The firm's industry-agnostic approach, combined with Tony Koechli's international business experience across Switzerland, Germany, and the United States, allows CHV Group to serve businesses requiring cross-border transaction expertise or buyers from international markets.
Deal Track Record
While CHV Group maintains strict client confidentiality and does not publicly disclose specific transactions, the firm has been actively engaged in sell-side and buy-side advisory since 2003. Client testimonials consistently reference successful closings, with multiple business owners noting that CHV Group's tenacity and problem-solving abilities were instrumental in overcoming transaction hurdles and reaching closing.
The firm has guided numerous owners through the complete exit process, from initial business valuation and market positioning through buyer identification, negotiation, LOI execution, and closing. Testimonials highlight the firm's ability to handle complex documentation requirements, manage emotional dynamics between buyers and sellers, and maintain deal momentum through due diligence challenges.
Process & Fee Structure
CHV Group runs a structured, multi-phase sell-side process:
Preparation Phase: Business valuation analysis, market positioning assessment, financial documentation preparation (including SDE calculations if needed), and identification of value gaps requiring remediation before market entry.
Marketing Phase: Confidential teaser development, targeted buyer identification (strategic buyers, private equity groups, family offices, individual operators), controlled distribution to qualified prospects under NDA, and confidential business memo preparation.
Negotiation Phase: Buyer qualification and vetting, term sheet and LOI negotiation, due diligence management, and closing coordination with attorneys and accountants.
Buyer-Side Services: Strategic acquisition planning, target identification, financial modeling, deal structuring assistance, and due diligence support for buyers seeking add-on acquisitions or platform investments.
The firm maintains memberships in IBBA (International Business Brokers Association) and M&A Source (member since 2009), ensuring adherence to professional standards and providing access to international networks of cooperating brokers for cross-border transactions.
Fee structures follow industry standards for lower middle market transactions, with success-based compensation models tied to transaction completion. CHV Group requires exclusivity on sell-side engagements and typically works with businesses generating up to $15 million in annual revenue, though they have capability for larger transactions.
Buyer Network
CHV Group maintains access to multiple buyer categories through professional networks and industry affiliations:
Private Equity Groups: Relationships with lower middle market PE firms seeking add-on acquisitions and platform investments in the $2M-$20M EBITDA range.
Strategic Buyers: Connections with industry strategics, competitors, and customers seeking expansion through acquisition.
Family Offices: Access to family offices and high-net-worth individuals seeking direct business ownership opportunities.
Individual Operators: Network of experienced operators seeking acquisition opportunities, including first-time buyers and serial entrepreneurs.
International Buyers: Through IBBA and M&A Source networks, the firm can connect clients with international buyers, particularly from Europe and Asia, leveraging Tony Koechli's international business background and language capabilities (English and German fluency).
The firm's Axial membership and IBBA directory presence enhance buyer visibility beyond the Carolinas region.
Competitive Positioning
CHV Group differentiates from other lower middle market advisors through:
Operational Expertise: Tony Koechli's 25+ years in manufacturing operations, global marketing, and turnaround management provides credibility with business owners who value advisors who understand operational realities. The firm can speak the language of plant managers, production teams, and operational staff—not just financial metrics.
International Perspective: Unique among regional business brokers, CHV Group brings genuine international business experience from living and working in Switzerland and Germany, plus extensive travel across South America, Europe, and Asia. This proves valuable for businesses with international supply chains, export operations, or potential interest from foreign buyers.
Educational Approach: The firm publishes extensive educational content on business value drivers, operational improvement, and exit planning through their website and blog. This content-first approach demonstrates expertise and builds trust before any engagement begins.
Coaching Integration: Beyond pure transaction work, CHV Group offers business strategy coaching and operational consulting, allowing them to work with owners years before an exit to build business value and improve management teams.
Not a Fit If
CHV Group typically declines engagements where:
- Business owners expect unrealistic valuations unsupported by market fundamentals
- Companies lack basic financial documentation or accounting records
- Owners are unwilling to invest time in preparation phases (valuation gap analysis, management team assessment)
- Businesses require immediate liquidity timelines incompatible with proper market processes
- Companies are in active litigation or regulatory crisis that would impede closing
- Founders want limited buyer exposure rather than comprehensive market outreach
Team
Tony Koechli – Founder & Principal Tony Koechli brings 25+ years of experience in family-owned companies, product and process development, global marketing and sales, organizational management, strategic implementation, turnaround management, and lean strategy execution. His career includes international positions residing in Switzerland, Germany, and the United States, with business travel across South America, Europe, and Asia (particularly South Korea and Japan). He has served as a key team member on multiple successful M&A transactions. Since founding CHV Group in 2003, he has specialized in serving small and mid-market companies with exit strategy planning and transaction advisory services. He speaks English and German fluently.
Tony is a member of IBBA and M&A Source (member since September 21, 2009). LinkedIn recommendations highlight his expertise in operational turnarounds, problem-solving abilities, and professional approach to transaction management.
Geographic Coverage
Primary focus: North Carolina and South Carolina (the Carolinas), with offices in Lyman/Greer, South Carolina.
Capability: Nationwide and international transactions through IBBA and M&A Source networks, with particular strength in European markets due to Tony Koechli's language skills and business background.
Address: 424 Hershal Ct, Lyman, SC 29365-9269 Phone: (864) 641-8131 Email: tony@chvgroupbusinessbrokerage.com Website: www.chvgroup.com