The Nery Corporation Research
Advisory Approach
The Nery Corporation, doing business as Coastal M&A and Coastal Business Brokers, is a well-established New England business advisory firm with over 40 years of experience in mergers, acquisitions, and business brokerage. Founded by Kevin A. Nery, the firm has built its reputation on serving the lower middle market—companies with transaction values between $1 million and $25 million—with particular depth in the $1M-$10M segment.
The firm operates with a clear thesis: successful business transitions require deep local market knowledge combined with institutional-quality process management. Their sweet spot is founder-owned and family-owned businesses in manufacturing, distribution, and business services where operational complexity creates valuation challenges. Unlike larger investment banks that may overlook smaller transactions, The Nery Corporation has dedicated its practice to this market segment, developing expertise in Main Street and lower middle market transactions.
Sector Focus
The Nery Corporation has successfully closed transactions across a diverse range of industries, with particular strength in:
Manufacturing: The firm has deep expertise in discrete and process manufacturing, including precision machining, metal fabrication, lighting fixtures, wood products, chemical manufacturing, and specialty coatings. They understand the technical aspects of these businesses, including ISO certifications, quality management systems, and equipment valuation—critical factors that affect deal pricing and buyer interest.
Distribution & Wholesale: Their experience includes wholesale distribution of industrial supplies, fasteners, food products, and commercial goods. They understand the economics of distribution businesses, including inventory management, logistics, and customer concentration issues.
Business Services: The firm represents service businesses with recurring revenue models, including staffing agencies, facilities management companies, and professional service firms. They understand how to value businesses based on cash flow and contract portfolios rather than asset value.
Retail & Hospitality: From restaurants and convenience stores to multi-location retail operators, The Nery Corporation has extensive experience in Main Street businesses where real estate is often included in transactions.
Deal Track Record
The Nery Corporation has completed hundreds of transactions over four decades. While the firm does not publicly disclose an aggregate transaction count, their deal history demonstrates consistent activity across market cycles:
Notable Recent Transactions:
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Pine Harbor Wood Products to Essential Holdings (February 2025): A landmark transaction in the outdoor living sector. Pine Harbor, a premier manufacturer of outdoor structures based in Hyannis and Harwich, MA, with $10 million in annual sales and 30 employees, was acquired by Essential Holdings, a Boston-based investment firm. This deal exemplifies the firm's ability to handle manufacturing businesses with strong regional brands and real estate components.
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Paratronix, Inc. to MicroChem Corp (undisclosed): Represented Paratronix, an Attleboro, MA-based supplier of Parylene conformal coating services established in 1981, in its sale to MicroChem Corp, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. of Japan. This transaction demonstrates the firm's capability in international transactions and high-tech manufacturing.
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Castechnologies, Inc. to DGG Industries Inc. (July 2022): Completed the sale of this precision zinc aluminum casting manufacturer, including the 4,690 sq. ft. facility and real estate at 40 Townsend Rd, Attleboro, MA. The buyer, David Goncalves of DGG Industries, maintained all employees and operations, illustrating the firm's focus on seamless transitions.
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Vantage Lighting Company to The Lexington Lighting Group (October 2013): Facilitated the sale of this Plainfield, CT-based commercial and architectural lighting fixture manufacturer to a strategic buyer who also owned Wilshire Manufacturing of Taunton, MA, demonstrating the firm's ability to identify synergistic strategic buyers.
The firm's Axial profile shows 6 closed deals on the platform since 2009, including transactions in fasteners distribution, fabric mills, outdoor furniture manufacturing, automotive services, and industrial control manufacturing. This represents only a portion of their total deal flow, as they operate through multiple channels including direct referrals, professional networks, and industry relationships.
Process & Fee Structure
The Nery Corporation follows a structured sell-side process designed for lower middle market companies:
Initial Phase: Comprehensive business valuation and exit planning assessment. They provide machinery and equipment appraisals (certified by NEBB Institute under USPAP standards), helping owners understand the true value of their assets and going-concern enterprise value.
Marketing Phase: Confidential marketing to qualified buyers through their extensive database of acquirers, professional networks, and industry relationships. They have experience with international buyers, including successful transactions with companies in China, Japan, and Germany.
Negotiation Phase: Qualified buyer screening, offer management, and negotiation support. They maintain relationships with private equity firms, strategic buyers, family offices, and individual acquirers.
Closing Phase: Due diligence support, purchase agreement negotiation, and closing coordination. They work closely with attorneys, accountants, and other advisors to ensure smooth transactions.
Fee Structure: The firm typically charges a monthly retainer (estimated $5,000-$15,000/month for lower middle market engagements) with a success fee based on a percentage of the transaction value. While specific fee structures are not publicly disclosed, their practice aligns with industry norms for business brokers in the $1M-$25M segment.
Minimum Engagement Size: The firm focuses on companies with at least $1M in transaction value, though they handle smaller businesses through their Coastal Business Brokers division. Their Coastal M&A division typically works on transactions of $3M-$25M.
Buyer Network
The Nery Corporation has developed a broad network of buyers over four decades:
Private Equity: Relationships with lower middle market private equity firms, search funds, and family offices. The Essential Holdings acquisition of Pine Harbor Wood Products demonstrates their access to institutional capital.
Strategic Buyers: Extensive network of strategic acquirers, particularly in manufacturing and distribution. The Vantage Lighting sale to The Lexington Lighting Group and Paratronix sale to MicroChem illustrate their ability to identify synergistic strategic buyers.
International Buyers: Proven experience with cross-border transactions, including sales to Japanese, German, and Chinese acquirers. This international reach expands the buyer pool beyond domestic competitors.
Individual Acquirers: Database of high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and family office buyers seeking acquisition opportunities in New England.
Geographic Reach: While focused on New England, their buyer network extends nationally and internationally, providing broader market access for regional businesses.
Competitive Positioning
The Nery Corporation differentiates itself through several key advantages:
Lower Middle Market Specialization: Unlike generalist investment banks that may treat smaller transactions as secondary, The Nery Corporation has dedicated 40+ years to this market segment, developing deep expertise in the unique challenges of Main Street and lower middle market deals.
Integrated Service Offering: The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services through its divisions—Coastal M&A (mergers and acquisitions), Coastal Business Brokers (business brokerage), Coastal Commercial Real Estate (commercial property sales), and Machinery and Equipment Appraisers (asset valuation). This integrated approach allows them to handle complex transactions involving both business assets and real estate.
Regional Dominance: As a leading business advisory firm in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, they have strong local market knowledge, professional relationships with regional attorneys and accountants, and access to off-market opportunities through referral networks.
Professional Credentials: The team holds multiple certifications including CBI (Certified Business Intermediary), CBB (Certified Business Broker), M&AMI (Mergers & Acquisitions Master Intermediary), and CMEA (Certified Machinery & Equipment Appraiser). Kevin Nery and Adam Bradshaw were recognized in M&A Source's 2024 Executive Club for closing $5M+ in transactions.
Longevity and Reputation: With over 40 years in business and hundreds of closed transactions, the firm has established a reputation for integrity, confidentiality, and successful outcomes. They receive ongoing referrals from CPAs, attorneys, bankers, lenders, and past clients—a testament to their ethical conduct and transaction success.
Not a Fit If
The Nery Corporation typically declines:
- Businesses below $500K in transaction value (too small for their M&A division, better suited for general business brokers)
- Distressed assets or turnarounds requiring significant operational restructuring
- Businesses with pending litigation or regulatory compliance issues that cannot be resolved pre-sale
- Founders seeking limited-process sales (they believe comprehensive buyer outreach maximizes value)
- Startups or pre-revenue companies without operational history
Team
Leadership:
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Kevin A. Nery, President: CBB, LCBI, M&AMI with over 40 years of experience in accounting, management, manufacturing, and consulting. Recognized by M&A Source in 2024 Executive Club for closing $5M+ in transactions.
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Adam Bradshaw, Broker: CBI designation, recognized by M&A Source in 2024 Executive Club for closing $5M+ in transactions.
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Justin Grolley, Broker: MBA, CBI, M&AMI, CMEA certifications with extensive M&A experience.
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Neil Corkum, Senior Broker: MBA, CBI, CRPC with leadership and advisory expertise.
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Madison White, Marketing Coordinator: Handles marketing and transaction communications.
The firm's professionals have backgrounds in corporate management, public accounting, taxation, insurance, financial services, retail, manufacturing operations, automotive, hospitality, marine, and government contracts—diverse experience that informs their understanding of client businesses.
Geographic Coverage
Primary focus on New England with deep coverage of:
- Massachusetts (primary focus on Southeastern MA, Cape Cod, and Islands)
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Maine
- New York (border regions)
Headquartered at 700 Pleasant Street, Suite 535, New Bedford, MA 02740, the firm serves clients across the region while maintaining particular strength in the Massachusetts-Rhode Island corridor.