Valufinder Group Research
Advisory Approach and Positioning
Valufinder Group is a specialized buy-side M&A advisory firm that has pioneered a distinctive acquisition search and facilitation model since 1978. Rather than representing sellers in auctions (the traditional sell-side model), Valufinder works exclusively with buyers—private equity firms, strategic corporates, and high-net-worth individuals—to identify and acquire companies that match their specific acquisition criteria. This buy-side specialization is relatively rare among middle-market advisors, giving Valufinder a focused competitive advantage.
The firm's core thesis is that successful acquisitions require three elements working in concert: (1) identification of genuinely interested, strategically aligned sellers outside the usual auction process; (2) professional, persistent outreach that builds credibility and trust; and (3) institutional-quality transaction facilitation from introduction through closing. Rather than running broad auctions that commoditize deals, Valufinder's proprietary "DealStar Acquisition Search" process involves identifying and personally contacting target companies that may never have considered selling, positioning the buyer as an attractive acquisition partner, and then managing the entire transaction flow.
The firm believes that the best acquisitions often occur outside formal processes—when a buyer with a compelling story, proven track record, and genuine strategic intent connects with an owner who has been approached thoughtfully and is presented with a genuinely attractive opportunity. This approach rewards patience, credibility, and deep market knowledge over speed and auction dynamics.
Track Record and Scale
Over 47 years, Valufinder's team has successfully completed more than 650 transactions across their professional careers, representing over $14 billion in aggregate enterprise value. Individual deals have ranged from $1 million to $425 million in purchase price. The firm typically focuses on companies with revenues between $5 million and $500 million and EBITDA between $1 million and $75 million—solidly within the lower and core middle market.
The firm has successfully closed platforms and add-on acquisitions across extraordinarily diverse industries. Recent case studies include:
- Hamilton Robinson Capital Partners' acquisition of Sani-Matic (automated cleaning systems for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries)
- Vantage Specialty Chemicals' acquisition of JEEN International (specialty chemical ingredients and blends for personal care and cosmetics)
- Good Springs Capital's acquisition of Kimbel Mechanical Systems (national mechanical contractor offering plumbing, HVAC, electrical services)
- Raffel Systems' acquisition of Micro-Air, Inc. (add-on acquisition)
- Multiple add-on acquisitions for Sila Services (HVAC services platform)
Industry Expertise and Sector Focus
Valufinder has successfully facilitated acquisitions across 13+ major industry verticals, with demonstrated depth in:
- Manufacturing & Industrials: Precision machining, contract manufacturing, specialty chemicals, coatings, adhesives, building products
- Business Services: Industrial staffing, facilities management, outsourced operational services
- Engineering & Construction: Mechanical contractors, HVAC specialists, plumbing and electrical services, maintenance services
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: Multi-site physician practices, behavioral health platforms, healthcare services
- Distribution & Logistics: Logistics firms, specialized distributors, supply chain companies
- Technology & Software: Industrial software, IoT platforms, manufacturing execution systems
- Food & Beverage: Food processing, beverage manufacturing, specialty food ingredients
- Transportation: Fleet operations, transportation services
- Energy & Utilities: Infrastructure, utilities, energy services
- Consumer Products & Services: Consumer-focused manufacturing and service providers
- Education & Training: Educational platforms and training services
Within each industry, Valufinder's professionals have developed genuine operating expertise—many have prior careers as operators, CFOs, or business unit leaders. This operational credibility gives them the ability to have credible conversations with sellers and help buyers understand acquisition targets at a level beyond financial metrics.
The DealStar Process and Competitive Positioning
Valufinder's proprietary DealStar Acquisition Search Process differentiates the firm in several ways:
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Identification & Targeting: Valufinder identifies 100+ to 200+ acquisition targets that meet the buyer's strategic criteria. Rather than relying on brokers or public deals, they source from obscure channels, industry databases, and direct intelligence gathering.
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Professional Outreach: Each target receives personalized, multi-channel outreach from Valufinder professionals. The firm reports that they reach approximately 90% of contacted targets, with meaningful engagement even from companies with no stated interest in selling initially.
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Relationship Cultivation: The process recognizes that quality acquisitions take time. Valufinder maintains persistent but professional contact, educating sellers about market trends, valuations, and strategic alternatives over months or years until the time is right.
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Buyer Positioning: Valufinder manages the buyer's presentation and credibility with sellers. The firm positions buyers not as financial engineers or roll-up consolidators, but as strategic partners genuinely committed to preserving management, culture, and long-term value creation.
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Deal Facilitation: Once interest emerges, Valufinder coordinates introductions, manages confidentiality, facilitates information exchange, oversees negotiations, and hands-off at closing.
Buyer Network and PE Relationships
Valufinder has deep relationships with leading middle-market private equity firms and family offices, including Gridiron Capital, The Jordan Company, L.P., Cortec Group, SKM Growth Investors, Linsalata Capital Partners, Good Springs Capital, and Hamilton Robinson Capital Partners. These relationships are built on 47 years of consistent deal flow, professional execution, and successful transaction outcomes. PE firms repeatedly rely on Valufinder for deal sourcing, particularly for add-on acquisitions that fit their platforms and for platform identification.
Team and Organization
Valufinder operates with approximately 20+ professionals organized into deal teams, research specialists, and operational staff. The firm's leadership includes Jay M. Aidikoff (Managing Director), Brian S. Levine (Senior Vice President), Sherri E. Yingst (Senior Vice President of Research), David E. Schenkel (Senior Vice President of Business Development), and David "Dash" Valuch (Vice President of Business Development).
The firm's team collectively brings over 350 years of transaction and operational experience. Many team members have prior careers as business operators, CFOs, or investment bankers, giving them the credibility to have substantive conversations with sellers and understand businesses at an operational level.
Service Model and Competitive Advantage
In a market dominated by large, generalist banks (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley) and sell-side specialists (Allen & Company, Lazard), Valufinder occupies a distinct niche: the specialized buy-side advisor. This positioning offers several advantages: (1) focused business model entirely dedicated to helping buyers find acquisitions; (2) relationship capital from 47 years of consistent deal flow and successful outcomes; (3) credibility with sellers skeptical of traditional investment banking auctions; and (4) speed and efficiency through direct negotiation rather than competing bid processes.
Valufinder is based in New York but operates nationally with demonstrated capability across all major U.S. markets.