Top 10 Strategy Mistakes Often Made by SME Companies
The head of Avondale’s strategy practice, Mark Baldwin, discusses some of the common patterns holding back mid-tier companies, and looks at how they can kick on to the next stage of growth.
IntraLAN
INDUSTRYIT & Telecommunications Established in 1995, Surrey-based IntraLAN Group is a leading provider of IT and Telecommunications network support, including bespoke Cloud computing solutions, to thousands of UK businesses. IntraLAN’s directors were introduced to Avondale through the Institute of Directors. With their initial attempts to sell the business independently returning an offer and terms that…
Compressed Air Centre
INDUSTRYEnergy and Utilities Established in 1992, Compressed Air Centre Ltd (CAC) was a leading UK distributor of high quality compressed air products, supported by a large and diverse client base. Avondale was brought on board by CAC’s owners to manage the sale of the business. An active acquirer in Avondale’s network around this time was…
Kingcombe Aquacare
INDUSTRYCivil Engineering Based in Somerset, Kingcombe Aquacare is a niche water civil engineering practice, specialising in all aspects of water-related projects. After 25 years developing Kingcombe Aquacare into a successful business, the founders, John and Theresa Colton, were planning their exit strategy and preparing for retirement. Having failed in a previous attempted sale led by…
Ketech
INDUSTRYBuilding Services & Consultancy Founded in 1998, Ketech Group is a designer, manager and installer of building management systems. The company was also a recognised control specialist offering a sizeable in-house manufacturing capability. Having been active players in the building management services sector for nearly 20 years, the directors of Ketech Group were seeking to…
Barron Smith
INDUSTRYProfessional Services Established in the 1950s, Barron Smith was an interdisciplinary design-oriented architecture practice. The company had an excellent track record for delivering education projects, and also had a growing reputation in the housing, care and commercial sectors. Having led Barron Smith to great success, the firm’s managing partner was looking to exit the business…
MPG Associates
INDUSTRYBuilding Services & Consultancy Established in 1996, MPG Associates was a prestigious nationwide provider of contract administration, quantity surveying and engineering services to the property and construction sectors. Avondale was first introduced to MPG Associates whilst the company was in the middle of a lengthy process of being acquired by another of Avondale’s clients. Despite…
Reliant Design Solutions
INDUSTRYManufacturing Established in the early 1960s, Reliant Design Solutions was a highly specialist designer and manufacturer of test equipment, supplying high-profile government projects. After 23 years in business, the directors of Reliant Design Solutions were keen to retire. Due to the specialist nature of the company’s services, they recognised that finding a suitable acquirer was…
Abbey Home Care
INDUSTRYCare & Nursing Abbey Home Care is a leading UK-wide operator of care homes, with the company specialising in a wide range of residential care packages. Abbey Home Care is a leading provider of UK-wide care home, residential home and nursing home services. Avondale was able to generate a high number of interested parties in…
Hussey and Greenhow
INDUSTRYEngineering Established in 1987, Hussey and Greenhow Plant Ltd was a leading engineering practice located near Bath, South West England. The company had a loyal customer base and an excellent reputation for providing high-quality services. The five managing directors of Hussey and Greenhow were all looking to retire around the same time and were looking…