On May 15, 2024, the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) will host a conference that delves into upcoming changes that will impact every developer in Maine. With insightful presentations and multifaceted discussions, MEREDA’s Spring Conference brings together a line-up of national, regional, and local speakers and panelists to discuss how development projects can be feasible and contribute positively to evolving societal needs.
“Maine’s development landscape is changing,” says MEREDA President Craig Young. “We desperately need development projects that will provide solutions to the affordable housing crisis and climate change. It can be very challenging for developers to make the numbers work when penciling out those projects, but it is possible. Our Spring Conference brings together industry experts for a discussion on how to navigate the challenges of aligning development goals with projects that will create a brighter future for Maine. It will be a great opportunity to learn from people who are making responsible development happen in innovative and exciting ways.”
Kicking off the conference, MEREDA will host Jonathan Tate, an award-winning architect from New Orleans, who brings an international perspective on housing development and urban planning. The conference will also include an economic presentation from Kenneth J. Entenmann of NBT Bank. Rounding out the conference will be two engaging panel discussions on topics ranging from Historic Tax Credits to Portland’s ReCode. Panelists include Kevin Kraft and Nell Donaldson from the City of Portland; Nate Marcet, a CPA from Albin, Randall & Bennett; Jonathan Culley, Principal at Redfern Properties; Tyler Norod, Development Director at Westbrook Development Corporation; John Egan, Senior Program Officer for Strategic Initiatives at the Genesis Fund; and Jason Howe, Partner at Preti Flaherty.
MEREDA will also recognize its 2023 Notable Project recipients at the Spring Conference. According to MEREDA’s Executive Director, Shelly Clark, the conference will be held at The Holiday Inn By the Bay from 1pm to 5pm on Wednesday, May 15. An application has been submitted for Continuing Education Credits. This event is sponsored by NBT Bank; Preti Flaherty; Mainebiz; Evernorth; Daigle Commercial Group; Sebago Technics; Albin, Randall & Bennett; Criterium Engineers; Efficiency Maine; SageStone; and Pierce Atwood. Registration details can be found here.
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A Conversation with Nate Green & Chris Marshall of GreenMars
The founders of GreenMars – Nate Green, Lead Developer, and Chris Marshall, Business Manager – sit down with MEREDA President Craig Young and MEREDA Board Member Josh Soley, for the sixteenth episode of MEREDA Matters – the podcast that puts you in the room with the people who are driving responsible development in Maine.
Green and Marshall discuss how they search for development opportunities by reviewing town’s comprehensive plans and give an overview of one of their projects in Brunswick that is in a “designated growth zone.” The pair, who both grew up in York and met in preschool, talk about how their partnership started after their early career paths took them in different directions. The group discusses the learning curve for getting involved in development work, the biggest risks GreenMars has faced thus far, and the importance of relationship building. Green and Marshall go on to provide an overview of their other development projects including Yarmouth Commons in Yarmouth, Nasson in the Pines in Sanford, and the Time & Temperature Building in Portland. The Time & Temperature Building will feature affordable micro-unit apartments and expansive amenities such as a co-working space and roof-top deck, a trend that is taking off in other urban areas in the country.
Asked to give advice to other young developers, Green and Marshall cite persistence and a bias toward action as fundamental. What Portland restaurant is a go-to for Nate and Chris? Listen to the episode to find out!
The MEREDA Matters podcast is sponsored by NBT Bank and Landry French Construction. Additional sponsors include Bangor Savings Bank, Clark Insurance, A Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company, and The Boulos Company. A new episode will be released each month and each will feature new voices from the real estate and development industry.
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April 25, 2024 – 8:30 – 10:00 AM Buffet Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 am Program: 9:00-10:00 am
In-Person – Pre-registration is required.
NEW LOCATION! McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center 35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME
Seating Capacity: 110 – We will not be able to accommodate walk-ins.
EVENT PARKING: Everyone that parks on the USM Campus in the Bedford Street Garage is required to use the digital parking system. You can pre-register for your parking session or do it upon arrival. To avoid a parking citation, you must begin your digital parking session – and pay- within 10 minutes of parking. You can also pre-schedule your session. Click Here to Download the Event Parking Instructions.
About the event: Dive deep into the pulse of today’s residential market at our April 25th breakfast panel discussion, at the McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center at USM in Portland. We welcome experts from across the state to dissect market dynamics, analyze trends, and strategize for success. We will discuss the recent class action law suit, among other important influences on our current marketplace.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today and elevate your knowledge of the residential real estate market in Maine. Don’t miss this chance to gain a competitive edge, forge valuable connections, and unlock the insights that will drive your success in today’s dynamic market.
Our expert panel include Nova Tower, Partner & Broker at Waypoint Brokers Collective, Julie Dawson Williams, CEO & Broker/Owner of Dawson Inc., and Adam Shub, Partner at Preti Flaherty. Moderating the panel is MEREDA Board Member, Gwen Hulit, Mortgage Loan Officer at US Bank.
Join us!
Refund Policy: Your RSVP is requested by April 18. Payment is expected at the time of registration. No refunds will be granted to anyone who registers, but fails to attend or who cancels after April 18.
Ticket Prices: Members: $45 each | Non-Members: $55 each Prices increase by $10 after April 18.
Parking Note: By purchasing these tickets, you confirm that you have read and understand the Event Parking information provided by the McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center above.
MEREDA returns to Bayside Bowl in Portland for it’s Annual Strikes for Scholars Bowl-a-Thon Fundraiser on May 2, 2024!
May 2 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Consistent with the tradition of this event, all proceeds will support students pursuing studies and experience in the building trades. Past recipients of the donations have included Maine’s Community College System, the ACE Mentor Program of Maine as well as the AGC Maine Education Foundation.
MEREDA began this event to support students in the building trades and professions 11 years ago and has continued to grow and support the program. Since the fundraiser’s inception, MEREDA is proud to have raised and donated over $166,000 in scholarships helping over 150 Maine students.
Want to Increase Your Company’s Credibility and Visibility within Maine’s Commercial Real Estate Sector?
For $1500, sponsors are featured in emails about the event, you can display your company banner at the event, you’ll be mentioned at the event, and we’ll post a number of posts on our social media platforms. The best benefit is that all the net proceeds go directly to deserving Maine students!
We are also looking for a sponsor for our Raffle Drawings of $400.
What you get:
• “Pay it Forward” with 100% of net proceeds funding the scholarship program
• Sponsorships provide high visibility on press releases, publications, social media mentions, the MEREDA website and signage at the event.
• Opportunity to be creative! Best Team Shirts gets a Summer Bowling Party!
• BRING CASH! We’ll be raffling off two $200 Cash Prizes so come prepared to purchase raffle tickets!
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On February 29, 2024, the Maine Real Estate and Development Association (MEREDA) recognized three remarkable individuals and a Joint Select Committee for their significant and lasting contributions to real estate development in the state of Maine. The awards were presented at this year’s Forecast Conference at the Holiday Inn By the Bay, which was attended by over 800 real estate professionals.
Gary Vogel was selected for this year’s Robert B. Patterson Jr. Founder’s Award, for his extraordinary commitment and dedication to MEREDA over the years.
Vogel has been practicing law in Portland for over 30 years and is a shareholder at the law firm of Drummond Woodsum. His practice is concentrated in real estate, real estate development, finance transactions, commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial law. Vogel’s work often involves developments utilizing the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit, Federal and State Historic Tax Credits and New Market Tax Credits.
Since joining the MEREDA Board in 2004, Vogel has been an integral part of MEREDA, serving as chair of the legislative committee for over a decade, as well as serving two years as President. 6MEREDA is grateful for his unwavering dedication to these voluntary leadership roles. Under his leadership, MEREDA achieved many legislative accomplishments that have greatly benefited both Maine and real estate development in the state. Vogel was selected to receive MEREDA’s Public Policy Award in both 2006 and 2011, as well as the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2010, and the President’s Award in 2014. Over the years, Vogel has generously offered his valuable time and expertise, playing a pivotal role in helping MEREDA thrive. His deep understanding of developmental challenges in Maine, along with his extensive institutional knowledge and experience with MEREDA’s legislative history, have made Vogel’s contributions invaluable to all MEREDA members.
The MEREDA Public Policy Award is presented each year to an individual or group whose efforts have made a significant impact on public policy changes that benefit responsible real estate development and ownership in Maine. This year we recognize the Joint Select Committee on Housing for their leadership around creating housing in Maine.
Led by its chairs, Senator Theresa Pierce and Representative Traci Gere, the Joint Select Committee on Housing, or the Housing Committee, has been tasked with prioritizing housing creation in Maine. The group has undertaken its mission with determination and demonstrated exceptional leadership in policy making. The Housing Committee has taken testimony from all sectors of Maine’s housing economy, and has shown repeated bipartisanship support for pragmatic and sensible solutions. They have worked to tackle emergency and subsidized housing assistance, and are turning their attention to land use and its role in housing creation.
MEREDA believes that the concentrated and pragmatic approach to problem-solving demonstrated by the Housing Committee is a model for lawmaking. Their work has made a practical impact in Mainers’ lives and encouraged the development of affordable housing. MEREDA is eager to continue to work with the Housing Committee and its exceptionally committed members.
The Volunteer of the Year Award is awarded to those who generously share their time, talents, and energy with MEREDA. This year we honor the contributions of Matt Pitzer.
Pitzer is an Architect and Senior Project Manager at Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger. He has a background as a designer specializing in preservation and envelope restoration of prominent historic structures and is committed to design that confers broad social benefits. At MEREDA, Pitzer has been an active and engaged participant, serving on MEREDA’s Board of Directors since 2019. More recently, he has taken on the role of DevelopME Committee Co-Chair. Pitzer’s leadership has made a difference in creating professional development opportunities within MEREDA for the next generation of industry professionals. MEREDA’s DevelopME Committee encourages Maine’s real estate emerging leaders to become more engaged in the State’s commercial real estate industry. The committee meets on a monthly basis and provides educational “Lunch & Learn” seminars, networking opportunities with peers, and access to MEREDA’s Board of Directors, as well as the opportunity to participate in MEREDA’s advocacy efforts. Pitzer’s dedication to his Co-Chair role has been instrumental in the success of the committee, and MEREDA is grateful for his contributions.
The President’s Award is given by MEREDA’s current President, Craig Young of The Boulos Company, in recognition of someone who has made significant contributions on MEREDA’s behalf. This year’s President’s Award goes to Kevin Bunker for his leadership in building affordable housing and for his support of MEREDA’s efforts.
Bunker is founding principal of Developers Collaborative with projects that run the gamut from residential to industrial, and is known as one of the preeminent builders of affordable housing in southern Maine. His experience in complex financing models, including tax increment financing, the use of tax credits, and other public-private partnerships, have led to creative projects that build community and strengthen the Maine economy in innovative ways. His recent projects include the new homeless shelter and a home dedicated for asylum seekers, both in Portland. Bunker is also an activist promoting the causes of smart growth and downtowns at the state and local levels.
MEREDA is honored to recognize Bunker’s contributions to our state; his commitment to building affordable housing is an example of responsible development in action. As a guest on the MEREDA Matters podcast, as well as a panelist for a Morning Menu discussion on the complexities involved with providing housing and social services for asylum seekers and the unhoused, Bunker has deepened the conversation around financing the development of affordable housing in Maine. We are grateful that he is willing to share his expertise with MEREDA members and is dedicated to doing this important work in our state.
MEREDA congratulates these award winners, and thanks every volunteer whose contributions of time and talent make the association’s continued success possible.
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PORTLAND, Maine–On Thursday, February 29th, over 800 of Maine’s real estate and development professionals gathered at the Holiday Inn By the Bay to learn about the latest trends and predictions for the real estate economy at the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s (MEREDA’s) Forecast Conference and Member Showcase. “The Forecast Conference is an opportunity for us real estate professionals to learn from each other and discuss the important issues in our industry and our state,” shares MEREDA President Craig Young. “With thought-provoking speakers like Dr. Habib Dagher and in-depth analysis from industry experts, it’s an energizing day full of important conversations!”
The Forecast Conference featured a robust lineup of industry experts presenting on topics that delved into both the opportunities and challenges for Maine’s real estate economy. The day began with a presentation on innovation in Maine from Dr. Habib Dagher, Executive Director at the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center. Presenting on his research work that ranges from green building materials and floating off-shore wind turbines to inflatable technology for NASA, Dr. Dagher’s work highlights the possibilities that can exist when we innovate. For a room full of real estate professionals, perhaps the most exciting aspect of his work is BioHome 3D, a 3D printed house prototype that his lab is perfecting to scale up affordable housing production in a dramatic way. “This is an opportunity to build more housing stock [and] get more roofs over people’s heads. Think of this as one solution to move things along.” Dr. Dagher and his team are currently working with the City of Bangor to develop a neighborhood of 3D printed homes for people who are currently homeless.
The morning continued with an overview of MEREDA’s legislative agenda with Elizabeth Frazier of Pierce Atwood. Frazier highlighted one bill currently being considered, LD 772, which focuses on permitting predictability and protecting developments from retroactive ordinances. “It’s a very small amount of language that will hopefully have a big impact,” commented Frazier. Next, James Marple, a Senior Economist from TD Bank provided an economic outlook on both a national and state level, sharing that the U.S. economy has outperformed expectations and, at 3.5%, is currently experiencing a 15-year-low in the unemployment rate. For the housing market, Marple highlighted that the limited supply is keeping pressure on home prices, underscoring the dire need for more affordable housing in Maine. Additionally, Marple noted that the economy will be impacted by the upcoming Presidential election.
This was the first year the Conference featured an afternoon format with multiple sessions each hour. In the first group of sessions, the Office & Industrial Outlook featured Justin Lamontagne of The Dunham Group on the industrial market, Nate Stevens of The Boulos Company on the office market, and Charles Day of Porta & Co. on the markets outside of Portland. With continued low vacancy rates in the industrial sector, Lamontagne predicted that there will be some new construction for the industrial sector but not enough, particularly because land is difficult to find. Speaking on the trend of office space conversions to industrial space, Lamontagne noted that while it is easier said than done, “There are no bad ideas in a market this competitive.” Meanwhile, Stevens outlined how the 7% vacancy rate in the Greater Portland office market differs from the national trends, which are at about a 20-30% vacancy rate in larger cities. Stevens also discussed the impact conversions have had on the office market, particularly the Class B office space sector. He noted that some 15 buildings in downtown Portland have added residential space, which has removed over 20% of Class B office space. Day then shared an overview of what’s happening in markets outside of Portland, highlighting the spectacular transformation of Waterville’s downtown, as well as two major redevelopments in Northern Maine, including the One North Building in Millinocket and The Green 4 Maine Program in Limestone. Continuing the conversation on office conversions, Day also highlighted four office buildings in downtown Bangor that had been converted to residential spaces.
The first session also included Construction Outlook and Regional Outlook panels. The Construction Outlook featured three general contractors – Kendrick Ballantyne of Optimum Construction, Nick Cormier of PM Construction, and Shannon Richards of Hay Runner – who discussed the challenges and opportunities for residential and commercial construction in Maine. The Regional Outlook featured Andre Rossignol of Maine Realty Advisors, Chris Paszyc of The Boulos Company, Brandon Mitchell of Malone Commercial Brokers, and Bev Uhlenhake of Maine Commercial Realty, who discussed some of the significant developments planned for the coming year across the state.
The second afternoon session featured a Retail & Hospitality Outlook with Peter Harrington of Malone Commercial Brokers and Matt Arrants of The Arrants Company. They provided an insider’s look at the world of retail leasing and the growth opportunities in Maine’s hotel market. Also in the second session was a Development 101 panel with Josh Soley of Maine Realty Advisors, David Packard of PK Realty, and Marieke Thormann of Fathom Companies. The group of developers discussed how they analyze the risk and rewards of the development process. Lastly, the second session also included a Financing Trends panel with Kim Twitchell of NBT Bank, Matt Early of Gorham Savings Bank, and David Hulit of Ready Capital. With a recap of last year’s numbers and a look at the emerging trends in the financial landscape, the group discussed where they see caution and optimism in the market. As part of the conversation, Twitchell commented on current interest rates. While she expects they will go down some, she cautioned, “Today’s rates are more normal. Folks need to get used to that. When penciling out deals, think about where rates are today.”
The final group of afternoon sessions included a Residential & Multifamily Outlook with Brit Vitalius of Vitalius Real Estate Group, Aaron Bolster of Allied Realty, and Elise Kiely of Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty. The group shared their thoughts on the fast moving and competitive world of residential and multifamily real estate throughout Maine. Another panel was on Upcoming Projects & Developments with three of Maine’s biggest developers who are working to bring a blend of housing to Maine’s marketplace – Dan Bacon of M&R Holdings, John Laliberte of Reveler Development, and Rebecca Hatfield of Avesta Housing. The third panel in the session was a Technology & Innovation Outlook with Tim Hebert of Hebert Construction, Stephanie Brock of Red Thread, and Dr. Habib Dagher. The group looked at how technology is changing real estate. Dr. Dagher provided a more in-depth look at the Biohome 3D, which his team is hoping can one day be printed in as little as two days and is 100% recyclable. Brock outlined a few of the ways AI can be used in the workplace, discussing products such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Qbiq. Hebert discussed the many ways technology has already come into the construction industry and improved things, but also saw reason for caution. “Sometimes it’s good to slow down and understand what we’re doing. We can do things faster, but we still have to do them right.” That said, Hebert agrees that innovation is the future and the way to answer the question: how do we make the built environment better? This query led him to develop STARC Systems, innovative temporary containment solutions that eliminate the disruption of renovation. The group went on to discuss the cost of new technologies and its accessibility. Dr. Dagher stated that his team is confident the Biohome 3D can one day be produced at competitive pricing, but acknowledged the incredible amount of investment required to produce this new possibility for housing.
At the end of the day it’s clear that Maine’s real estate markets continue to be a driving force in the economy. The challenges and opportunities our state faces will require collaboration and innovation, and MEREDA members will be working together to ensure that solutions are centered on responsible development. Sponsors of the event include TD Bank, Landry/French Construction, Perkins Thompson, The Downs managed by Maine Properties LLC, Mainebiz, Ready Capital, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Sebago Technics, The City of Bangor, St. Germain, Belfor Property Restoration, Pierce Atwood, and United Insurance.
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Buffet Breakfast: 8:30-9:00 am Program: 9:00-10:00 am
In-Person – Pre-registration is required.
Seating Capacity: 110 – We will not be able to accommodate walk-ins.
NEW LOCATION!!
McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center 35 Bedford Street Portland, ME
EVENT PARKING: Everyone that parks on the USM Campus in the Bedford Street Garage has to use the digital parking system. You can pre-register for your parking session or do it upon arrival. You must begin your digital parking session within 10 minutes of parking. You can also pre-schedule your session. Click Here to Download the Event Parking Instructions.
About the Event: Join MEREDA on March 28th, 2024 at the McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center, 35 Bedford Street, Portland. MEREDA speaks with 2 local restaurant entrepreneurs Chris Gould (owner of Central Provisions and Tipo) and Mike Fraser (owner of Paper Tiger, Bramhall Pub, Nosh Kitchen and Bar and Nosh Taco). These restaurant moguls have been intertwined into the real estate fabric of Greater Portland for decades. They will discuss how their businesses have changed over the years, where they see the restaurant scene going and the effects of covid, labor shortage and other economic drivers. You will receive first hand insight on where restaurant owners see their futures going in Greater Portland and potentially beyond!
MEREDA Vice President, Jenn Small of Malone Commercial Brokers will moderate the program.
Seating is limited. Register now to reserve your spot!
Don’t forget, this breakfast will now run from 8:30 – 10:00 AM in an effort to accommodate those working around childcare and bus drop offs and pick ups.
MEREDA’s Refund Policy: Your RSVP is requested by March 21. Payment is expected at the time of registration. No refunds will be granted to anyone who registers, but fails to attend or who cancels after March 21.
Ticket Prices: Members: $45 each | Non-Members: $55 each Prices increase by $10 after March 21.
April 9, 2024 – 8:00 – 9:30 AM Buffet Breakfast: 8:00-8:30 am Program: 8:30-9:30 am
In-Person – Pre-registration is required.
LOCATION Bangor Savings Bank 11 Hamlin Way, Bangor, ME
About the Event:
Bangor is facing a pressing challenge – addressing the impact of substance use disorder and the unhoused population on commercial real estate. Our goal is to bring together a diverse range of perspectives to foster open and honest dialogue, compassion, and innovative solutions.
Please join MEREDA for an engaging breakfast discussion on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Bangor Savings Bank located at 11 Hamlin Way, Bangor.
Parking is available in the 11 Hamlin Way garage. Please use entrance on Summer Street.
Our presenters include:
Bob Montgomery-Rice, President, Bangor Savings Bank who will speak to the challenges of lack of workforce housing and business in this area
Cara Pelletier, current council chair, will provide valuable insights into the city’s standpoint on the issue.
Housing Developer, Kevin Bunker of Developers Collaborative will share experiences and potential solutions from a housing development perspective.
Jon Pottle, attorney at Eaton Peabody, is the City of Brewer and other municipalities’ attorney, bringing legal insights to the discussion.
Bev Uhlenhake, Managing Broker at Maine Commercial Realty will moderate the day’s discussion.
Our aim is to create a platform for meaningful discussion, focusing on the intersection of government, real estate, and solutions. By collaborating and learning from various perspectives, we hope to identify viable solutions to address the challenges posed by substance use disorder and the unhoused population in Bangor.
Secure your spot at this important event. We look forward to your participation and contribution to this vital conversation.
Refund Policy: Your RSVP is requested by April 2. Payment is expected at the time of registration. No refunds will be granted to anyone who registers, but fails to attend or who cancels after April 2.
Ticket Prices: Members: $25 each | Non-Members: $35 each Prices increase by $10 after April 2.
This event is Sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank, City of Bangor, and Haley Ward.
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By: BerryDunn Professionals, Casey Karlsen, Senior Manager | CFA, ASA and Seth Webber, Principal | CFA, ASA, CEPA
Consider the value of the following two hypothetical companies. Anita owns A+ Manufacturing, a car parts manufacturer that employs 100 people. Roger owns a very similar company, D- Manufacturing, which also manufactures car parts and employs 100 people. These companies are both almost identical, and last year, they generated the same amount of revenue and income. A key difference, however, is in the management styles of the owners. Roger is extremely disorganized and has difficulty with record retention, locating information, and tracking and analyzing data. He is relatively inexperienced as a manager. Anita, meanwhile, is very punctual and organized and has 15 years of management experience. She relies heavily on tracking operational and financial data and makes this information readily available to managers and their teams. She believes in an organized, clean workplace, and her strong leadership and carefully maintained culture have resulted in employee tenure that is much higher than industry standards. Which company is more valuable?
Despite being identical in terms of service offering and size, most people would identify A+ Manufacturing as being more valuable. Alarm bells start to ring in a valuation analyst’s head when learning about the sloppy management style, lack of experience, and poor use of data at D- Manufacturing. The difference in value should be substantial. Despite generating the same amount of profit last year, A+ Manufacturing could be worth twice as much as D- Manufacturing because these risk factors may jeopardize future profits.
In addition to the risk factors from the above example, there are many other drivers of business value.
Valuation formula In its simplest form, the valuation of a business can be reduced to the following formula based on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). Factors that affect value do so by affecting the valuation multiple. Companies such as D- Manufacturing would be worth a lower multiple of EBITDA, and a higher multiple would be justified for less risky companies such as A+ Manufacturing.
Estimating an EBITDA multiple A generic multiple often thrown around is 5x EBITDA. EBITDA multiples from the DealStats database have historically been in this range, but have come down in the last few years, as shown in the accompanying chart.1
Median Selling Price/EBITDA with Trailing Three-Quarter Average
EBITDA multiples vary widely by industry. For example, in the DealStats database, the median EBITDA multiple for retail trade was 3.7x compared to 6.1x for manufacturing companies.2 The chart below presents EBITDA multiples by industry from the DealStats database.
Selling Price/EBITDA Interquartile Range by Industry Sector (Private Targets)
Even within a specific industry, multiples can vary dramatically. For example, from the chart above, the median wholesale trade multiple was slightly above 5.0x, but the 75th percentile multiple for this industry was nearly 10.0x.
Factors affecting EBITDA multiples Differences in valuation multiples from company to company reflect differences in risk profiles. High-risk companies command lower multiples than safe investments. The following chart illustrates how certain operational risk factors may affect the valuation multiple.
Other factors that affect valuation multiples include the following:
Access to capital Supplier concentration Supplier pricing advantage Product or service diversification Life cycle of current products or services Geographical distribution Currency risk Internal controls Business owner reliance Legal/litigation issues Years in operation Location Demographics Availability of labor Employee stability Internal and external culture Economic factors Industry and government regulations Political factors Fixed asset age and condition Strength of intangible assets Distribution system IT systems Technology life cycle
One model to assess risk and select an appropriate multiple is the exit and succession planning software prepared by MAUS Business Systems (“MAUS”). The MAUS Business Attractiveness model assists analysts in assessing and diagramming the risk profile of a company. This model was developed to assess business attractiveness to potential acquirers based on common risk factors. Analysts can use this software as part of their assessment of an appropriate valuation multiple. This model is also a helpful communication tool because it provides a visual representation of a company’s risk profile and highlights the areas in which a company can improve.
Using this model, analysts assess a company’s risk profile regarding several key factors. MAUS then generates a report that includes a series of diagrams like the one below. Business attractiveness factors are positioned around the outside of a polygon. If a company performs well regarding a particular factor, a point is plotted toward the outside of the polygon. If the company performs poorly, a point is plotted toward the center of the shape. The points are then connected to visualize a company’s risk profile.
Business Risk & Value Factors
The larger the colored shape is in the MAUS diagram, the higher the valuation multiple should be. However, these factors do not all affect the multiple equally. The valuation multiple may be highly responsive to some factors and less responsive to others. Additionally, each factor may not have a linear effect on the valuation multiple. For these reasons, formula-based estimates of valuation multiples are often inaccurate, although a great place to start for a ballpark indication of value. For matters of importance where accuracy is paramount, we strongly recommend consulting with a valuation professional. In addition to valuation expertise, an outside party provides an independent, unbiased assessment of value.
Conclusion The value of a business can be affected dramatically by its risk profile. Analysts value businesses based on a number of different factors that affect value.
Learn what risk factors your company may have and how those affect your business value by downloading our value driver matrix.
1,2 DealStats Value Index 4Q 2023, Business Valuation Resources, LLC (www.bvresources.com).
On Thursday, February 29, 2024, leaders from across Maine’s real estate industry will gather for the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s (MEREDA’s) Forecast Conference and Member Showcase. This annual event will take place at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland. This year, the conference has a new afternoon format to go beyond just reporting the numbers and instead provide a forum for dynamic discussions on Maine’s economy and the responsible development opportunities in the state. As always, MEREDA’s Forecast Conference brings together some of the best minds in the state to talk about trends, predictions, and solutions for some of our most pressing problems.
“MEREDA’s Forecast Conference provides an opportunity to connect with people and ideas,” says MEREDA President Craig Young. “It’s a day where we get to see colleagues from around the state and across various industries and also learn about the innovative ways people are pursuing responsible development. I’m looking forward to our new afternoon format which I think will help facilitate deeper conversations among our members.”
MEREDA’s Annual Forecast Conference is geared towards builders, developers, brokers, attorneys, architects, engineers, municipal leaders, bankers, and accountants, to name a few. Continuing Education credits will be available. Along with presentations from real estate leaders across various sectors and remarks on Innovating Maine’s Future with Dr. Habib Dagher, Executive Director of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center at the University of Maine, the conference will also include a member showcase with exhibitions from over 60 local businesses. MEREDA’s mission is to promote responsible development in the state of Maine and is committed to providing opportunities for people to learn and connect with other industry professionals.
MEREDA’s Forecast Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn By the Bay on February 29 from 8am to 5pm, with the program beginning at 10am. Registration is available at MEREDA.org. Event sponsors include, TD Bank, Landry/French Construction, Mainebiz, The Downs managed by Maine Properties LLC, Ready Capital, Perkins Thompson, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Belfor Property Restoration, City of Bangor, Pierce Atwood, Sebago Technics, St.Germain, and United Insurance.
