Pilar Tarry
Partner & Managing Director, Chicago
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS ADVISORY
Value creation, transformation, and growth through M&A
At every stage of a deal, companies and investors face critical opportunities to create value - or destroy it. Liquidity, market uncertainty, and fluctuations in valuations raise the stakes even higher. Speed to results has never been more critical. You need a partner with a bias to action, who can deliver value now.
Our global team of M&A experts have walked in your shoes. We support you at every step of your transaction journey, building market share through both expansion and consolidation, creating value through operating improvements & synergies, optimizing a strong portfolio, and realizing a digital (r)evolution.
We partner closely with executives and investors across industries to ensure successful outcomes at each stage of the deal lifecycle, from strategy and diligence to acquisition, value capture and exit.
OUR TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS IN M&A
300+
Experienced M&A Professionals
430+
Global M&A transactions in the last three years
175
Due diligence projects in 2022
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
- Value creation focus: It is in our DNA to drive purposeful action and speed to results. We identify, transform, and realize full value potential through a relentless focus on measurable deal outcomes.
- Industry insight and experience: Senior teams with deep, “real-world” industry practitioner experience in the most complex M&A scenarios, from Board to Management to hands-on roles.
- Operator mentality: We combine implementation expertise for improved EBITDA and cash flow, gained from operational roles with senior transactions experience on buy-side, sell-side, post-merger, and in exit situations.
- Global integrated approach: A broad, holistic suite of deal capabilities that draw upon our commercial, financial, operational, and digital expertise, combining unique skillsets tailored to your specific needs.
- Specialist experience: Our broad M&A offering is supported by world-class specialist capabilities, such as forensics, antitrust, interim management, global investigations and disputes, and ESG advisory.
“You guys have the smarts of [other leading consulting firms], but the operational focus we need to actually get the work done.”
Client operating executive
M&A SERVICES
Our approach supports a fast process with less disruption to buyer and seller, delivering higher transaction value and greater returns across all stages of the deal lifecycle.
“You guys have the smarts of [other leading consulting firms], but the operational focus we need to actually get the work done.”
Client operating executive
“Hands-down one of the most rigorous and impactful projects I’ve seen in my career.”
Client operating executive
“You guys have the smarts of [other leading consulting firms], but the operational focus we need to actually get the work done.”
Client operating executive
M&A SERVICES
Our approach supports a fast process with less disruption to buyer and seller, delivering higher transaction value and greater returns across all stages of the deal lifecycle.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS M&A AND DEBT ADVISORY
When a business has to undertake a turnaround or undergo a restructuring, understanding the M&A and debt options available is vital to preserving, enhancing, or realizing value. We have a long track record of providing time-critical advice to clients on equity or debt raising, refinancing, debt restructuring, or accelerated M&A.
Our hands-on approach led by our senior professionals plus our combination of transaction, operational, and restructuring expertise enables us to identify opportunities and solutions that others cannot.
When a business has to undertake a turnaround or undergo a restructuring, understanding the M&A and debt options available is vital to preserving, enhancing, or realizing value. We have a long track record of providing time-critical advice to clients on equity or debt raising, refinancing, debt restructuring, or accelerated M&A.
Our hands-on approach led by our senior professionals plus our combination of transaction, operational, and restructuring expertise enables us to identify opportunities and solutions that others cannot.
RELATED INSIGHTS FROM THE ALIXPARTNERS BLOG
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
- Value creation focus: It is in our DNA to drive purposeful action and speed to results. We identify, transform, and realize full value potential through a relentless focus on measurable deal outcomes.
- Industry insight and experience: Senior teams with deep, “real-world” industry practitioner experience in the most complex M&A scenarios, from Board to Management to hands-on roles.
- Operator mentality: We combine implementation expertise for improved EBITDA and cash flow, gained from operational roles with senior transactions experience on buy-side, sell-side, post-merger, and in exit situations.
- Global integrated approach: A broad, holistic suite of deal capabilities that draw upon our commercial, financial, operational, and digital expertise, combining unique skillsets tailored to your specific needs.
- Specialist experience: Our broad M&A offering is supported by world-class specialist capabilities, such as forensics, antitrust, interim management, global investigations and disputes, and ESG advisory.
Pre-Deal
We use our deep industry knowledge, wide global network, and rapid, data-driven approach to identify and evaluate potential deals to uncover the highest-value opportunities.
Industry attractiveness and sector insights
- Perform systematic sector screening, based on extensive sector experience and research, considering trends, growth areas, developments and issues
Target identification and screening
- Generate deals and review potential M&A transactions; evaluate transactions’ rational and value potential
Operations and IT due diligence
- Perform implementation-focused due diligence, highlighting and quantifying opportunities, costs, execution priorities, issues, and red flags
Commercial due diligence
- Review commercial considerations related to market dynamics, competitive landscape, customer/client feedback, growth opportunities, and risk
Management due diligence
- Assess management capabilities and performance track record; review proposed incentives and potential impact on business deliverables
Transaction advisory
- Provide M&A lead advisory services in buy-side situations, private equity fundraising, debt raising and refinancing, business planning, financial modelling and target investment appraisal, business valuation
Pensions
- Provide M&A transactions advisory, including potential regulatory considerations and negotiation support
Legal & regulatory support
- Provide regulatory and legal support, working together with partners, around antitrust issues, potential litigation, and disputes
Signing | Completion
Our “quick start program” spans onboarding, assessments, and prioritization, and enables the new entity to begin creating value as soon as the deal is signed.
Onboarding
- Onboard the PE or management team and establish business objectives, incentives, and corporate governance procedures
- Build reporting and KPI dashboards
Operational assessment
- Conduct a “quick scan” of operations and opportunities based on the due diligence review
- Evaluate the quick scan results alongside the investment thesis, ensuring alignment and highlighting potential issues
Setting value enhancement priorities
- Identify and accelerate priorities
- Highlight potential focus areas, like top-line growth, procurement, working capital and CAPEX, SG&A and IT, and manufacturing
Post-Deal
Using our proprietary data mining capabilities and analysis, we build a full-potential program that helps new companies achieve real results on the top line, the bottom line, and across all business lines.
Revenue growth
- Market and channel strategies
- Contract bidding and management
- Pricing and product, customer, and channel profitability
Sales force effectiveness
- Applied analytics
- Cash and working capital management
Cash forecasting and liquidity management
- Working capital reduction
- CAPEX effectiveness
Business plan development
- Refinancing support and balance sheet restructuring
- Organizational effectiveness
Leadership team effectiveness and organization design
- Talent strategy and evaluation
- Coaching for enterprise change
- Culture transformation assessment
- Risk and compliance management
- Profit improvement
Operational facility performance and network improvements
- Procurement optimization
- Innovation and new product or process introduction
- Overhead and support functions
Integration | Carve-out
The decisions surrounding a transaction are critical. We work with urgency and a relentless focus on results to maximize deal value, both before and after the deal.
Post-merger integration
- Ensure strict EBITDA focus; assess leadership; integrate the organization, culture, systems, and processes; develop and realize synergies; provide clean room support; establish and execute PMO; buy and build support
Carve-out
- Separate the organizations, segregate duties, establish governance structures; develop standalone financial reporting; de-couple systems and processes; separate operations; analyze and review separation costs; provide M&A lead advisory and project management
Exit
Having the right support ensures readiness and optimizes returns.
Divestiture preparation
- Assessment of optimal divestment approach, including disposal of all or part of the business, consideration of industrial logic for potential buyers, preparing the divestiture business plan including identified profit and cash improvement measures, diligence preparation, and project management
Transaction advisory
- Provide lead sell-side M&A advisory services, debt advisory and lender education, business planning, financial modelling, project support services, and synergy assessment
Sell-side due diligence
- Perform operations, IT, and commercial due diligence
PRE-DEAL
We use our deep industry knowledge, wide global network, and rapid, data-driven approach to identify and evaluate potential deals to uncover the highest-value opportunities.
Industry attractiveness and sector insights
Perform systematic sector screening, based on extensive sector experience and research, considering trends, growth areas, developments and issues
Target identification and screening
Generate deals and review potential M&A transactions; evaluate transactions’ rational and value potential
Operations and IT due diligence
Perform implementation-focused due diligence, highlighting and quantifying opportunities, costs, execution priorities, issues, and red flags
Commercial due diligence
Review commercial considerations related to market dynamics, competitive landscape, customer/client feedback, growth opportunities, and risk
Management due diligence
Assess management capabilities and performance track record; review proposed incentives and potential impact on business deliverables
Corporate finance and debt advisory
Provide M&A lead advisory services, trade and asset sales, debt advisory, business valuations, and private equity fundraising
Pensions
Provide M&A transactions advisory, including potential regulatory considerations and negotiation support
Legal & Regulatory Support
Provide regulatory and legal support, working together with partners, around antitrust issues, potential litigation, and disputes
Transaction advisory
Provide M&A lead advisory, trade and asset sales, debt advisory services; prepare business plan and investment rationale; perform valuation; identify buyers
SIGNING/COMPLETION
Our “quick start program” spans onboarding, assessments, and prioritization, and enables the new entity to begin creating value as soon as the deal is signed.
Onboarding
- Onboard the PE or management team and establish business objectives, incentives, and corporate governance procedures
- Build reporting and KPI dashboards
Operational assessment
- Conduct a “quick scan” of operations and opportunities based on the due diligence review
- Evaluate the quick scan results alongside the investment thesis, ensuring alignment and highlighting potential issues
Setting value enhancement priorities
- Identify and accelerate priorities
- Highlight potential focus areas, like top-line growth, procurement, working capital and CAPEX, SG&A and IT, and manufacturing
POST-DEAL
Using our proprietary data mining capabilities and analysis, we build a full-potential program that helps new companies achieve real results on the top line, the bottom line, and across all business lines.
Revenue growth
- Market and channel strategies
- Contract bidding and management
- Pricing and product, customer, and channel profitability
- Sales force effectiveness
- Applied analytics
Cash and working capital management
- Cash forecasting and liquidity management
- Working capital reduction
- CAPEX effectiveness
- Business plan development
- Refinancing support and balance sheet restructuring
Organizational effectiveness
- Leadership team effectiveness and organization design
- Talent strategy and evaluation
- Coaching for enterprise change
- Culture transformation assessment
- Risk and compliance management
Profit improvement
- Operational facility performance and network improvements
- Procurement optimization
- Innovation and new product or process introduction
- Overhead and support functions
INTEGRATION/CARVE-OUT/EXIT
The decisions surrounding a transaction are critical. We work with urgency and a relentless focus on results to maximize deal value, both before and after the deal.
Post-merger integration
Ensure strict EBITDA focus; assess leadership; integrate the organization, culture, systems, and processes; develop and realize synergies; provide clean room support; establish and execute PMO; buy and build support
Carve-out
Separate the organizations, segregate duties, establish governance structures; develop standalone financial reporting; de-couple systems and processes; separate operations; analyze and review separation costs; provide M&A lead advisory and project management
Exit readiness
Prepare exit readiness/reparation (pre-500 days); prepare management; provide exit support and stakeholder management
Transaction advisory
Provide M&A lead advisory, trade and asset sales, debt advisory services; prepare business plan and investment rationale; perform valuation; identify buyers
Sell-side due diligence
Perform operations, IT, and commercial due diligence
RELATED INSIGHTS FROM THE ALIXPARTNERS BLOG
Global Team
Value creation, transformation, and growth through M&A
At every stage of a deal, companies and investors face critical opportunities to create value - or destroy it. Liquidity, market uncertainty, and fluctuations in valuations raise the stakes even higher. Speed to results has never been more critical. You need a partner with a bias to action, who can deliver value now.
Our global team of M&A experts have walked in your shoes. We support you at every step of your transaction journey, building market share through both expansion and consolidation, creating value through operating improvements & synergies, optimizing a strong portfolio, and realizing a digital (r)evolution.
We partner closely with executives and investors across industries to ensure successful outcomes at each stage of the deal lifecycle, from strategy and diligence to acquisition, value capture and exit.
OUR TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS IN M&A
300+
Experienced M&A Professionals
430+
Global M&A transactions in the last three years
175
Due diligence projects in 2022
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
- Value creation focus: It is in our DNA to drive purposeful action and speed to results. We identify, transform, and realize full value potential through a relentless focus on measurable deal outcomes.
- Industry insight and experience: Senior teams with deep, “real-world” industry practitioner experience in the most complex M&A scenarios, from Board to Management to hands-on roles.
- Operator mentality: We combine implementation expertise for improved EBITDA and cash flow, gained from operational roles with senior transactions experience on buy-side, sell-side, post-merger, and in exit situations.
- Global integrated approach: A broad, holistic suite of deal capabilities that draw upon our commercial, financial, operational, and digital expertise, combining unique skillsets tailored to your specific needs.
- Specialist experience: Our broad M&A offering is supported by world-class specialist capabilities, such as forensics, antitrust, interim management, global investigations and disputes, and ESG advisory.
“You guys have the smarts of [other leading consulting firms], but the operational focus we need to actually get the work done.”
Client operating executive
M&A SERVICES
Our approach supports a fast process with less disruption to buyer and seller, delivering higher transaction value and greater returns across all stages of the deal lifecycle.
“You guys have the smarts of [other leading consulting firms], but the operational focus we need to actually get the work done.”
Client operating executive
“Hands-down one of the most rigorous and impactful projects I’ve seen in my career.”
Client operating executive
“You guys have the smarts of [other leading consulting firms], but the operational focus we need to actually get the work done.”
Client operating executive
M&A SERVICES
Our approach supports a fast process with less disruption to buyer and seller, delivering higher transaction value and greater returns across all stages of the deal lifecycle.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS M&A AND DEBT ADVISORY
When a business has to undertake a turnaround or undergo a restructuring, understanding the M&A and debt options available is vital to preserving, enhancing, or realizing value. We have a long track record of providing time-critical advice to clients on equity or debt raising, refinancing, debt restructuring, or accelerated M&A.
Our hands-on approach led by our senior professionals plus our combination of transaction, operational, and restructuring expertise enables us to identify opportunities and solutions that others cannot.
When a business has to undertake a turnaround or undergo a restructuring, understanding the M&A and debt options available is vital to preserving, enhancing, or realizing value. We have a long track record of providing time-critical advice to clients on equity or debt raising, refinancing, debt restructuring, or accelerated M&A.
Our hands-on approach led by our senior professionals plus our combination of transaction, operational, and restructuring expertise enables us to identify opportunities and solutions that others cannot.
RELATED INSIGHTS FROM THE ALIXPARTNERS BLOG
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
- Value creation focus: It is in our DNA to drive purposeful action and speed to results. We identify, transform, and realize full value potential through a relentless focus on measurable deal outcomes.
- Industry insight and experience: Senior teams with deep, “real-world” industry practitioner experience in the most complex M&A scenarios, from Board to Management to hands-on roles.
- Operator mentality: We combine implementation expertise for improved EBITDA and cash flow, gained from operational roles with senior transactions experience on buy-side, sell-side, post-merger, and in exit situations.
- Global integrated approach: A broad, holistic suite of deal capabilities that draw upon our commercial, financial, operational, and digital expertise, combining unique skillsets tailored to your specific needs.
- Specialist experience: Our broad M&A offering is supported by world-class specialist capabilities, such as forensics, antitrust, interim management, global investigations and disputes, and ESG advisory.
Pre-Deal
We use our deep industry knowledge, wide global network, and rapid, data-driven approach to identify and evaluate potential deals to uncover the highest-value opportunities.
Industry attractiveness and sector insights
- Perform systematic sector screening, based on extensive sector experience and research, considering trends, growth areas, developments and issues
Target identification and screening
- Generate deals and review potential M&A transactions; evaluate transactions’ rational and value potential
Operations and IT due diligence
- Perform implementation-focused due diligence, highlighting and quantifying opportunities, costs, execution priorities, issues, and red flags
Commercial due diligence
- Review commercial considerations related to market dynamics, competitive landscape, customer/client feedback, growth opportunities, and risk
Management due diligence
- Assess management capabilities and performance track record; review proposed incentives and potential impact on business deliverables
Transaction advisory
- Provide M&A lead advisory services in buy-side situations, private equity fundraising, debt raising and refinancing, business planning, financial modelling and target investment appraisal, business valuation
Pensions
- Provide M&A transactions advisory, including potential regulatory considerations and negotiation support
Legal & regulatory support
- Provide regulatory and legal support, working together with partners, around antitrust issues, potential litigation, and disputes
Signing | Completion
Our “quick start program” spans onboarding, assessments, and prioritization, and enables the new entity to begin creating value as soon as the deal is signed.
Onboarding
- Onboard the PE or management team and establish business objectives, incentives, and corporate governance procedures
- Build reporting and KPI dashboards
Operational assessment
- Conduct a “quick scan” of operations and opportunities based on the due diligence review
- Evaluate the quick scan results alongside the investment thesis, ensuring alignment and highlighting potential issues
Setting value enhancement priorities
- Identify and accelerate priorities
- Highlight potential focus areas, like top-line growth, procurement, working capital and CAPEX, SG&A and IT, and manufacturing
Post-Deal
Using our proprietary data mining capabilities and analysis, we build a full-potential program that helps new companies achieve real results on the top line, the bottom line, and across all business lines.
Revenue growth
- Market and channel strategies
- Contract bidding and management
- Pricing and product, customer, and channel profitability
Sales force effectiveness
- Applied analytics
- Cash and working capital management
Cash forecasting and liquidity management
- Working capital reduction
- CAPEX effectiveness
Business plan development
- Refinancing support and balance sheet restructuring
- Organizational effectiveness
Leadership team effectiveness and organization design
- Talent strategy and evaluation
- Coaching for enterprise change
- Culture transformation assessment
- Risk and compliance management
- Profit improvement
Operational facility performance and network improvements
- Procurement optimization
- Innovation and new product or process introduction
- Overhead and support functions
Integration | Carve-out
The decisions surrounding a transaction are critical. We work with urgency and a relentless focus on results to maximize deal value, both before and after the deal.
Post-merger integration
- Ensure strict EBITDA focus; assess leadership; integrate the organization, culture, systems, and processes; develop and realize synergies; provide clean room support; establish and execute PMO; buy and build support
Carve-out
- Separate the organizations, segregate duties, establish governance structures; develop standalone financial reporting; de-couple systems and processes; separate operations; analyze and review separation costs; provide M&A lead advisory and project management
Exit
Having the right support ensures readiness and optimizes returns.
Divestiture preparation
- Assessment of optimal divestment approach, including disposal of all or part of the business, consideration of industrial logic for potential buyers, preparing the divestiture business plan including identified profit and cash improvement measures, diligence preparation, and project management
Transaction advisory
- Provide lead sell-side M&A advisory services, debt advisory and lender education, business planning, financial modelling, project support services, and synergy assessment
Sell-side due diligence
- Perform operations, IT, and commercial due diligence
PRE-DEAL
We use our deep industry knowledge, wide global network, and rapid, data-driven approach to identify and evaluate potential deals to uncover the highest-value opportunities.
Industry attractiveness and sector insights
Perform systematic sector screening, based on extensive sector experience and research, considering trends, growth areas, developments and issues
Target identification and screening
Generate deals and review potential M&A transactions; evaluate transactions’ rational and value potential
Operations and IT due diligence
Perform implementation-focused due diligence, highlighting and quantifying opportunities, costs, execution priorities, issues, and red flags
Commercial due diligence
Review commercial considerations related to market dynamics, competitive landscape, customer/client feedback, growth opportunities, and risk
Management due diligence
Assess management capabilities and performance track record; review proposed incentives and potential impact on business deliverables
Corporate finance and debt advisory
Provide M&A lead advisory services, trade and asset sales, debt advisory, business valuations, and private equity fundraising
Pensions
Provide M&A transactions advisory, including potential regulatory considerations and negotiation support
Legal & Regulatory Support
Provide regulatory and legal support, working together with partners, around antitrust issues, potential litigation, and disputes
Transaction advisory
Provide M&A lead advisory, trade and asset sales, debt advisory services; prepare business plan and investment rationale; perform valuation; identify buyers
SIGNING/COMPLETION
Our “quick start program” spans onboarding, assessments, and prioritization, and enables the new entity to begin creating value as soon as the deal is signed.
Onboarding
- Onboard the PE or management team and establish business objectives, incentives, and corporate governance procedures
- Build reporting and KPI dashboards
Operational assessment
- Conduct a “quick scan” of operations and opportunities based on the due diligence review
- Evaluate the quick scan results alongside the investment thesis, ensuring alignment and highlighting potential issues
Setting value enhancement priorities
- Identify and accelerate priorities
- Highlight potential focus areas, like top-line growth, procurement, working capital and CAPEX, SG&A and IT, and manufacturing
POST-DEAL
Using our proprietary data mining capabilities and analysis, we build a full-potential program that helps new companies achieve real results on the top line, the bottom line, and across all business lines.
Revenue growth
- Market and channel strategies
- Contract bidding and management
- Pricing and product, customer, and channel profitability
- Sales force effectiveness
- Applied analytics
Cash and working capital management
- Cash forecasting and liquidity management
- Working capital reduction
- CAPEX effectiveness
- Business plan development
- Refinancing support and balance sheet restructuring
Organizational effectiveness
- Leadership team effectiveness and organization design
- Talent strategy and evaluation
- Coaching for enterprise change
- Culture transformation assessment
- Risk and compliance management
Profit improvement
- Operational facility performance and network improvements
- Procurement optimization
- Innovation and new product or process introduction
- Overhead and support functions
INTEGRATION/CARVE-OUT/EXIT
The decisions surrounding a transaction are critical. We work with urgency and a relentless focus on results to maximize deal value, both before and after the deal.
Post-merger integration
Ensure strict EBITDA focus; assess leadership; integrate the organization, culture, systems, and processes; develop and realize synergies; provide clean room support; establish and execute PMO; buy and build support
Carve-out
Separate the organizations, segregate duties, establish governance structures; develop standalone financial reporting; de-couple systems and processes; separate operations; analyze and review separation costs; provide M&A lead advisory and project management
Exit readiness
Prepare exit readiness/reparation (pre-500 days); prepare management; provide exit support and stakeholder management
Transaction advisory
Provide M&A lead advisory, trade and asset sales, debt advisory services; prepare business plan and investment rationale; perform valuation; identify buyers
Sell-side due diligence
Perform operations, IT, and commercial due diligence