Synthesis Management Consultants

Due Diligence

A UK manufacturing company wished to increase its presence in the Middle East and focus its regional presence through a key Joint Venture agreement. As part of this evaluation a short listed local company indicated it had strong links to the government, a management structure to adequately implement the company's plans and the financial resources to achieve these objectives.

Upon closer examination it was established that these claims were exaggerated and additionally evidence of previous financial mismanagement indicated inexperience with respect to corporate investment. These findings were used to assist the UK company in their negotiations in achieving a successful outcome.

 

Mergers & Acquisitions

An global Investment Bank wished to establish whether a US based pharmaceutical company had taken recent formal steps to discourage a hostile takeover and whether the details of formal agreement were in the public domain. It also wished to ascertain the precise triggers of the so called “poison pill”.

A detailed review of the regulatory filings was undertaken and interviews conducted with key regulatory personnel, including the SEC and Department of Justice. It was ascertained that no new or amended agreement had been filed. It was also ascertained that in the event an agreement was pending, an application under the Freedom of Information Act could be made. Opinion was also sought from industry executives in the US and the UK.

 

Litigation Support

A leading international software company had an existing licensing agreement with a UK company who had undertaken to materially further the business of the licensor in European markets. However, the UK company entered into an additional agreement with a major rival of the licensor which would undermine the prospects for sales.

We were retained to seek out expert opinion in the marketplace as part of the evidence gathering process and to asses the likely impact of the additional competitive agreement. This evidence was used to assess the financial impact of the additional agreement and formed a basis for the legal claim.