With four decades of experience, Piper Group International, LLC ("PGI") is a Mergers & Acquisition firm specializing in the middle market. Our proprietary processes provide our clients with a superior model for achieving success. We accomplish this by building a position of strength in sales and marketing tools for your company and then making a market to maximize your value. We work with you from start to finish. We offer both sell-side and buy-side representation.

SELLER REPRESENTATION

MAJOR MILESTONES INCLUDE:
• Designing a transaction focused on your Mission and Objectives
• We create a position of strength to sell from with our proprietary methods starting with the unique CONFIDENTIAL offering memorandum that is up to 200 pages. This amount of comprehensive information helps get buyers to the table at the same time.
• With our proprietary systems, we have been able to sell companies others have not.
• About anyone can sell a company; the question is for what price and what makes our firm different is how our honest and ethical systems can elevate your company to achieve maximum price.
• “One offer is no offer.” until a market is made with multiple offers which is the goal of PGI with our 10 phase sales and marketing program.
• We have two time-tested proprietary methods to maximize price with multiple offers. Our “Deal Point” process is an ethical method to create a “Limited Auction.” PGI’s “Roadmap to Closing” process isa proven way to get through the challenges of working with multiple attorneys, buyer’s due diligence, and all of the elements of the closing process.
• PGI also Strengthens Our Client. Before we make a market for your company, we first educate you as to how to deal with the process. This strengthens your ability to successfully respond when talking and meeting with buyers and better equips you for the ongoing decision making. We cover the following topics in sections of our Seller’s Representation Brochure with you until you have a reasonable understanding and command of the process:
• HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY,
• GUIDELINES FOR CONFIDENTIALITY AND RUMOR CONTROL
• GUIDELINES FOR “MAKING A MARKET”
• GUIDELINES FOR SELLER/BUYER DISCUSSIONS
• GUIDELINES FOR A VISIT FROM A PROSPECTIVE BUYER
• GUIDELINES FOR THE JOURNEY TO CLOSING
• PGI for decades has successfully moved our clients from one chapter of life to the next chapter and our service truly gives a caring and personal touch to that process – so to us, it’s not just selling a business but successfully orchestrating a “a life changing event” for our clients.

KEY STATEMENTS FROM THE LETTERS OF REFERENCE BROCHURE
FROM BUYERS AND SELLERS THAT SPANS FOUR DECADES THAT
PIPER GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC HAS WORKED WITH

SELLERS

1. Page 3, J and J Thomas Inc.
Fourth paragraph – Additionally, there were times when Rick worked late into the evening, on weekends and holidays to ensure the process was moving forward smoothly.
2. Page 18, Davis Transport
First paragraph – from experience negative about others in the profession – PGI results second to none.
Last paragraph- I actually paid you a fee in excess of what we had contracted for.
3. Page 23, DP Northwest
First paragraph – Industry expert gave value – Indeed Bill closed for substantial premium over what industry expert predicted.
4. Page 25, Cleaire
Third paragraph – more than once ownership gave up and sale brought back to the table by Rick’s sole efforts.
5. Page 27, Cummins West
First paragraph, end of – the ebb and flow of the process can only be understood by one who has gone through it.
Second paragraph – I honestly do not believe anyone other than that Rick could have got me through the process.
6. Page28, NW Polymer
Integrity
7. Page 40, American Tescor
Sixth paragraph – People both inside and outside said obtaining desired sales price was impossible if not downright foolish. Piper team proved the nay sayers wrong.
8. Page 42, Del’s Farm Supply 18 chain of stores
Fourth and fifth paragraphs – when issues arose Piper created solutions – When deal came to a standstill over legal issues Piper arranged a meeting in Seattle with the Tennessee public company and in 3 days had the deal moving to closing.
Paragraph six – emotions became as big an obstacle as the legal issues, Piper really helped us maintain our perspective as to what to say and when to say it.
9. Page 52, Jones Wholesale Florist
First paragraph - in selling a company success is achieved through varying methods and philosophies. The key ingredients for the broker we believe are tenacity, accounting acumen, legal savvy, psychological insights, a sympathetic ear, and a crystal ball. These qualities are all possessed by Rick Piper.
10. Page 71, Nationwide Vision Centers
Fifth paragraph – all arrived in San Antonio to close with the Florida buyer who tried to change the deal at the closing table. You advised to walk. Over a weekend and in three business days you called in a backup buyer, and we closed in 5 days. You did in 5 days what normally takes 90 days.
11. Page 80, Resources Northwest
Fifth paragraph – In summary I have bought and sold 7 businesses and have had an occasion to meet most of your local competitors none of which measure up to your standards or professional approach in selling a business.

BUYERS – buyer page numbers follow the sellers’ letters of reference
1. Page 88, Eclipse Security
He gained my trust and I truly appreciate his help in making what seemed the impossible, possible.
2. Page 98, Davis Transport
Second paragraph – You truly put your heart and managing the acquisition and feel fortunate your firm helped us acquire Davis Transport.
3. Page 109, Teaching Strategies
First Paragraph – There were critical moments that could make or break the deal, you quickly stepped in with creative ideas that put humpty dumpty back together again.
Second paragraph – Really appreciated your Roadmap to Closing process that kept us moving forward and dealing with issues in a timely manner.
4. Page 111, 2nd Wind Investments
Second paragraph - Been looking for a business for 2 years astonished to find most M&A firms did not have much for sale and did not seem to have a grasp of the business or financial information. My experience with your firm was completely opposite and the difference in what I was used to seeing was startling.
5. Page 112, Merchants Information Solutions
Third paragraph – Secondly the auction style bid process forced all participants to become competitive and creative and was very time sensitive. Because treated fairly bought the company.
6. Page 113, Dayspring Hardwood & Molding.
Second Paragraph – Offering memorandum was outstanding. Have looked at many and yours was one of the most complete which gave us the tool to move forward in a timely manner.
7. Page 114, Hampshire Equity Partners
First paragraph – At Hampshire we saw over 600 transactions last year and very few offering memorandums compared to level of detail which makes due diligence a lot smoother and enables a buyer to confirm genuine interest.
8. Page 115, Tractor Supply
Third paragraph – Without contentiousness and arguments you helped deliver a fair result for both parties.
Fourth paragraph - Your contribution in helping the sellers work with their legal counsel resulted in a win-win solutions and I believe your services added value to both buyer and seller.
9. Page 118, James Meyer – buyer
Second paragraph – I have been involved in many acquisitions and sales in my career and I consider you the most professional of the merger & acquisition advisors with whom I have worked.
10. Page 120, Multifab
Second paragraph – Found the offering book unique because it contained more information than I was use to seeing which allowed me to make a faster decision to proceed.
Third paragraph – There were several offers, and I do not to become involved in a bidding contest but was dealt with in a fair manner considering the multiple offers. Here our Deal Point process speaks for itself.
11. Page 122, Inland Vending
Even though you represented the seller, your honest and professional approach to every detail of the transaction clearly demonstrated you commitment to produce a fair and workable agreement for all concerned.
12. Page 134, Door Distributors of Oregon
First paragraph – Worked with countless brokers your firm is virtually without peer.
Second paragraph – Abilities and approach are truly unique. Operate above board and are concerned that a fair and workable transaction be structured for all concerned.
Third paragraph – The book contained virtually all information to evaluate the opportunity. As a former securities, lawyer always expect to see inaccuracies in offering books – I found none.
Fourth paragraph – Impressed with your willingness to tackle issues head on and defused matters that could have become deal killers.
Fifth paragraph – Most innovative aspects as to how you handle the professional that save time, money and saved the deal. The Roadmap to closing process.

• Rick Piper has a BS degree from the University of Portland and has sold business for decades and previously belonged to M&A organizations but except for socializing did not have a reason to continue belonging. Rick has created and presented numerous seminars including "How Buyers Value Closely Held Companies - Finding the Street Value" and "50 Ways To Improve The Value Of Your Company" and is a contributing author to The Secrets of Positioning Your Business For Sale. His seminars are accredited by various State Bar Associations for "CLE" (continuing legal education) credit and have been presented to organizations such as major national and regional banks, law and CPA firms, trade associations and private organizations. Again, the reference letters tell it best.