Disstressed M & A is all about good process structuring, secrecy and speed resulting from experience. An interim manager can be a valuable support for the insolvency administrator.

Since the market for business succession and company sales (M&A) has been in massive decline for the past two years, it has not been easy to sell a company even from a normal point of view. The sale of a true crisis company or a company coming out of insolvency is generally even more difficult. Nevertheless, with good preparation, considerable success can be achieved in such sales (distressed M&A) in a short time. Unlike normal M&A business, this is about: process structuring and speed. Confidentiality must be maintained in any M&A process, but this aspect takes on a very special weight in distressed M&A. If acted upon systematically, quickly and prudently, investors can be found even out of insolvency. This is where the interim manager can play a key role.

Inventory

Before the actual M&A process, the first step is to secure the assets and conduct a general analysis by the insolvency administrator as to whether the company in question or its assets are suitable for sale in the short term. If such an opportunity is deemed to be realistic, the first step is to ensure the continuation of the company as a going concern and thus to do everything possible to avoid breaking up the company. Values must be preserved and "the bride must be adorned" so that the highest possible purchase price can be achieved and the mass quota maximized.

Successful company sales in this segment differ from flops in that it is first clarified quite systematically what is to be sold in the first place. Is it really the previous company? Or are only the assets sold as part of a so-called asset deal? It must then be examined whether all assets are to be transferred or whether a part or partial operation is to be left behind and, if necessary, can be offered to other investors for purchase.