Nery Corporation (Coastal M&A) Research
Advisory Approach
Nery Corporation, operating its M&A advisory practice as Coastal M&A, is a New England-based business advisory firm founded in 2000 by Kevin A. Nery. The firm specializes in sell-side representation and business brokerage for companies with transaction values between $1 million and $25 million, serving the lower middle market across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and the broader New England region. The firm operates with a focused thesis: smaller, privately-held businesses require the same level of professional M&A guidance as larger transactions, but with a practical, hands-on approach that respects the unique dynamics of founder-owned companies.
Unlike investment banks that target larger deals, Coastal M&A combines business brokerage expertise with M&A advisory services. This hybrid approach allows them to serve businesses that may be too small for traditional investment banks but too complex for transaction-only brokers. Their sweet spot is family-owned and founder-led businesses with $1 million to $25 million in transaction value, where operational complexity and emotional considerations require nuanced guidance.
Sector Focus
Coastal M&A has completed transactions across a diverse range of industries, with particular depth in several core sectors. In manufacturing, they have sold precision machining companies (Castechnologies, Inc.), specialty manufacturers (Lisbon Sausage Company, various Rhode Island manufacturing firms), and metal fabrication businesses. Their distribution experience includes fasteners (Cutlass Fasteners, Inc.), seafood wholesale/retail (Metro Lobster & Seafood), and industrial supply companies. The electrical trades sector has been active for them, with electrical contractor sales including Rossi Electric Co., Young Electric Services, and Union Electrical Contractor. They have also handled HVAC companies, lighting manufacturers, and telecommunications businesses.
Beyond industrial sectors, Coastal M&A has sold numerous hospitality and food service businesses including B&M Catering Co. (an award-winning catering company with 45 employees), food manufacturing operations, and various restaurant concepts. Their transaction history spans business services, retail/e-commerce operations (Budget Blinds franchises), healthcare and adult day care facilities, medical device testing companies, and logistics/transportation businesses. This breadth of experience allows them to bring cross-industry perspective to each engagement.
Deal Track Record
Coastal M&A has completed over 200 transactions under Kevin Nery's leadership, with a robust deal flow spanning more than two decades. Recent completed transactions include:
-
Pine Harbor Wood Products (February 2025): A premier manufacturer and retailer of outdoor structures with $10 million in annual revenue and 30 employees, sold to Essential Holdings, a Boston-based investment firm. This landmark transaction demonstrated Coastal M&A's ability to handle sophisticated deals with established manufacturing operations.
-
B&M Catering Co. (June 2022): An award-winning hospitality company with 45 employees and a 17,633 sq. ft. facility, sold to Teamshares, a New York-based startup that transitions companies to employee ownership.
-
Castechnologies, Inc. (July 2022): A precision machining company utilizing the Graphite Permanent Mold Process, sold with its real estate to DGG Industries Inc.
-
Rossi Electric Co., Inc. (May 2021): A union electrical contractor established in 1993 with 100+ employees, acquired by REC Acquisition LLC (an affiliate of E-J Electrical Installation Company, the oldest independent electrical contractor in the country).
-
Budget Blinds of Cape Cod (September 2021): A franchise business operating from a 2,600-square-foot facility in Mashpee, MA, with territory covering Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket.
-
Metro Lobster & Seafood (September 2020): A seafood wholesaler/retailer in Warwick, RI operating for over 15 years, including real estate in the transaction.
Additional transactions span HVAC companies, lighting manufacturers, medical device testing firms, telecommunications companies, adult day care businesses, moving and storage operations, refrigerated structure manufacturers, and various distribution companies.
Process & Fee Structure
Coastal M&A runs structured sell-side processes tailored to the lower middle market. Their process typically includes business valuation, confidential marketing to qualified buyers, transaction negotiation, due diligence support, and closing coordination. They emphasize confidentiality throughout the process, recognizing that premature disclosure of a potential sale can disrupt employee morale, customer relationships, and supplier terms.
The firm requires exclusivity on engagements and typically works with business owners for 6-12 months from engagement to close. Their process leverages their extensive network of buyers including private equity groups, strategic acquirers, family offices, and individual buyers. They also have experience with international acquirers, having completed transactions with companies in China, Japan, and Germany.
Coastal M&A's fee structure typically follows industry standards for lower middle market transactions: a monthly retainer during the engagement period (often credited against the success fee) plus a success fee percentage paid at closing. While specific fee terms are negotiated on a case-by-case basis, this structure aligns incentives and ensures the firm is compensated for the intensive upfront work of positioning, marketing, and negotiating each transaction.
Buyer Network
Coastal M&A maintains relationships with diverse buyer types. They have sold businesses to private equity-backed buyers (Essential Holdings, various PE-sponsored platforms), strategic acquirers (E-J Electrical Installation Company's affiliate acquiring Rossi Electric), family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and employee ownership transition firms (Teamshares acquiring B&M Catering). Their international buyer experience spans transactions with acquirers in China, Japan, and Germany, reflecting their ability to handle cross-border deals.
Competitive Positioning
Coastal M&A differentiates through several factors. First, the firm's longevity—founded in 2000 with consistent leadership—provides deep market knowledge and established buyer relationships. Kevin Nery's 40+ years of experience including accounting, taxation, manufacturing, and consulting backgrounds allows him to understand businesses beyond just financial metrics. The firm's team holds multiple professional designations including CBI (Certified Business Intermediary), M&AMI (Mergers and Acquisitions Master Intermediary), CMEA (Certified Machinery & Equipment Appraiser), and CBB (Certified Business Broker), demonstrating commitment to professional standards.
The firm has received industry recognition including Pratt's Stats Hall of Fame Award, M&A Source Platinum Club Award, and multiple IBBA Outstanding Producer Awards for team members. Kevin Nery authored "Sell Smart," an award-winning, #1 best-selling book on business exit planning. The firm is affiliated with the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), M&A Source, New England Business Brokers Association (NEBBA), and Kevin Nery serves as Treasurer on NEBBA's Board of Directors.
Not a Fit If
Coastal M&A typically declines engagements with businesses under $1 million in transaction value, distressed asset sales (they focus on going-concern businesses), or situations where sellers are unwilling to grant exclusivity. They are also not a fit for founders seeking limited-process sales—their value proposition is in comprehensive buyer outreach to maximize value.
Team
The Coastal M&A team includes:
-
Kevin A. Nery, CBB, LCBI, M&AMI – President and Founder. With 40+ years of experience in accounting, taxation, management, manufacturing, marketing, and consulting, Kevin has sold over 200 businesses and valued hundreds more. A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Bachelor's in Accounting, he previously held positions in banking, manufacturing, CPA firms, and retail corporations before founding The Nery Corporation in 2000. He serves as Treasurer on NEBBA's Board of Directors, is a Member of the New Bedford Economic Development Council, and authored the award-winning book "Sell Smart."
-
Justin Grolley, MBA, CBI, M&AMI, CMEA – Business Intermediary. Justin holds an MBA and multiple professional certifications. He joined the NEBBA Board of Directors and received the IBBA 2021 Outstanding Producer Award. He has handled transactions including B&M Catering Co. and various manufacturing and distribution deals.
-
Adam Bradshaw, CBI – Business Intermediary. Adam achieved successful business sales transactions totaling over $4.5M in a single year, receiving the firm's 2016 Sales Agent/Broker of the Year award. He represented the seller in the Budget Blinds of Cape Cod transaction.
-
Neil Corkum, MBA, CBI, CRPC – Business Intermediary. Neil holds an MBA from Providence College and the Certified Business Intermediary designation along with the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) credential.
-
Madison White – Team member supporting transactions and client services.
Geographic Coverage
Primary markets: Massachusetts (Southeastern MA, Cape Cod, Islands), Rhode Island, Connecticut. The firm is headquartered at 700 Pleasant Street, Suite 535, New Bedford, MA 02740, with team members serving clients across New England. They also have experience with buyers outside the region and have completed transactions with international acquirers.