Exit Strategies Group, Inc. Research
Advisory Approach
Exit Strategies Group is a California-based M&A advisory and business valuation firm founded in 2002 that serves the lower middle market, specifically targeting companies with $5-100 million in revenue. The firm was founded by Al Statz with a clear mission: to serve companies that are "too large for business brokers and too small for traditional investment banks." This positioning allows them to provide a powerful combination of large-firm resources with small-firm senior-level attention.
The firm's thesis centers on providing specialized, unconflicted advice to family-owned and closely-held companies. They believe that the best outcomes for sellers come from exhaustive buyer outreach combined with institutional-quality process management. Unlike generalist business brokers, Exit Strategies Group brings deep technical expertise in specific industries, particularly industrial automation, manufacturing, and distribution.
Sector Focus
Exit Strategies Group has developed particular depth in several key industries:
Manufacturing & Industrial Automation: This is their core strength. They have completed numerous transactions in industrial automation distribution, control system integration, custom machine building, and precision manufacturing. Their team includes former automation industry executives who understand the technical nuances of these businesses.
Distribution & Logistics: The firm has extensive experience with value-added distributors, particularly in industrial automation, fluid power, motion control, and related sectors.
Business Services: They work with professional services firms, staffing companies, and B2B service providers.
Real Estate Services: Including property management, real estate brokerage, and related services.
Technology: Including software companies, particularly those serving industrial markets.
Healthcare: Medical and healthcare-related businesses.
Construction & Engineering: Specialty contractors, engineering services, and construction-related businesses.
Food & Beverage: Including wineries, food processing, and beverage manufacturing.
Deal Track Record
Exit Strategies Group has completed well over 100 M&A transactions since 2002. Recent notable transactions include:
2025 Transactions:
- Gasket Specialties Inc. (manufacturing_discrete), a West Coast manufacturer of gaskets and seals since 1925, sold to Tipco Technologies, a portfolio company of Platte River Equity. The seller reported achieving twice the appraised value.
- Burns Controls Company (manufacturing_discrete), an industrial automation distributor founded in 1971, sold to Valin Corporation (a subsidiary of Graybar).
- Clayton Controls (manufacturing_discrete), an automation solutions provider founded in 1967, sold to Flow Control Group, a KKR portfolio company.
- Starr Property Management (real_estate), a Central California property management company founded in 1998, sold to Galaxy Holdings, Inc., a private equity fund.
- Ruland Manufacturing (buy-side advisory) acquired RoCom Couplings Corp. (manufacturing_discrete), a flexible shaft coupling manufacturer.
2024 Transactions:
- Dynamic Solutions (manufacturing_discrete), a California-based industrial automation solutions provider specializing in precision motion control and collaborative robotics, sold to Valin Corporation.
2022 Transactions:
- MSM Inc. (business_services), a facilities maintenance supplies distributor serving Northern California since 1982, sold to BradyIFS, a leading foodservice and JanSan platform.
2021 Transactions:
- Gibson Engineering (manufacturing_discrete), a value-added distributor and system integrator of industrial automation technologies based in Norwood, MA, sold to Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT).
- suitX (hardware_electronics), a UC Berkeley spinout producing advanced exoskeletons for industrial and medical markets, sold to Ottobock, a global medical technology leader.
- Tri-Phase Automation (manufacturing_discrete), a leading regional automation solutions provider in Wisconsin and Illinois, sold to Flow Control Group (KKR portfolio).
Earlier Transactions:
- Indigo Piping Systems (distribution_logistics), a California-based construction materials distribution company, sold to Dateline Exports, Inc. (2016).
The firm's self-reported transaction count exceeds 100 completed deals, with aggregate transaction value well over $500 million.
Process & Fee Structure
Exit Strategies Group runs institutional-quality sell-side processes tailored to lower middle market companies. Their typical engagement includes:
Pre-Sale Phase: Comprehensive value and sale-readiness assessment, preparation and positioning guidance, and exit planning consultation. They often begin working with clients 6-12 months before going to market.
Marketing Phase: Targeted buyer outreach to strategic acquirers, private equity firms, and family offices. They generate multiple qualified offers to give clients choices.
Due Diligence & Closing: Full support through LOI negotiation, due diligence, and closing phases.
The firm typically requires exclusivity and focuses on companies with at least $5 million in revenue. While specific fee structures are not publicly disclosed, their fee model likely includes a retainer (credited against success fee) plus a success fee based on a percentage of transaction value.
Buyer Network
Exit Strategies Group maintains relationships with a broad network of buyers:
Private Equity: Strong relationships with leading PE firms including KKR (multiple transactions), Platte River Equity, and various middle-market private equity groups.
Strategic Buyers: Relationships with public companies including Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT), Graybar subsidiaries, and multinational corporations like Ottobock.
Family Offices and Private Investors: Access to family offices and high-net-worth investors for strategic acquisitions.
Their industrial automation expertise makes them particularly attractive to PE firms with industrial platforms seeking add-on acquisitions.
Competitive Positioning
Exit Strategies Group differentiates through:
-
Technical Industry Expertise: Several team members are former operators and executives in manufacturing and automation. They understand the technical aspects of the businesses they represent.
-
Dual Capabilities: Unlike many competitors, they provide both M&A advisory and accredited business valuation services. This gives them deep knowledge of valuation methodologies and market conditions.
-
Sale-Readiness Focus: They work with clients well before going to market to optimize value and positioning.
-
Regional Focus: Strong presence in Western US with offices in San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, giving them deep regional buyer relationships.
-
Professional Credentials: Team members hold prestigious accreditations including M&AMI, ASA, CVA, CEPA, and ABV.
Not a Fit If
Exit Strategies Group typically declines:
- Businesses below $5 million in annual revenue
- Companies outside their industry focus areas
- Owners wanting limited buyer outreach (they believe in comprehensive processes)
- Pure asset sales (they focus on going-concern enterprises)
Team
The firm is led by experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds:
Al Statz - President & Founder. Holds M&AMI and ASA accreditations. Founded Exit Strategies Group in 2002 after a career as president of IDC, an industrial automation controls company that was acquired by Danaher Corp. MBA from Golden Gate University, BS Electrical Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Past president of California Association of Business Brokers.
Mark Harter - M&A Advisor, CVA, CEPA. Over 30 years' experience in company sales, growth, valuation, and M&A. Has been a key executive (CFO/CEO) in four early-stage ventures acquired by large public companies, generating over $500 million in exit value. BA in Economics and Philosophy from UC Berkeley.
Louis Cionci - M&A Advisor, ABV, M&AMI. Over 15 years of M&A experience, having managed over $250 million in transactions. Former Director at American Amalgam LLC and Senior Associate at Strategic Capital Inc. MBA from LaSalle University.
Roy Martinez - M&A Advisor, CBB, CVA. Handles main street and middle market M&A transactions. Former CFO for wine fulfillment and satellite communications companies, with six years of venture capital and private equity experience.
Joe Orlando - VP of Business Valuation Services, ASA. Leads the business valuation practice with strong focus on the craft beverage space.
Adam Wiskind - M&A Advisor, CBI, BCA. Works primarily with manufacturing, distribution, specialty contracting, and B2B service businesses.
The team also includes additional professionals with diverse expertise in business brokerage, valuation, and M&A advisory.
Geographic Coverage
Primary offices in San Francisco Bay Area (Petaluma, CA) and Portland, OR. The firm serves clients throughout the United States, with particular strength in Western states including California, Oregon, Washington, and Western regions. They have represented sellers in cross-border transactions and have experience with buyers nationwide and internationally.