2.
Who we are
Sheridan Partners Corporate Development, LLC (SPCD) was Core Competencies
founded in 1999 to provide project‐based corporate development
consulting to food / confectionery companies.
Corporate Strategy
Our Team is composed of successful food / confectionery industry Strategic Planning
executives who have spent their entire careers developing
Mission / Vision
solutions for the most challenging problems.
Business & Strategic
SPCD serves clients on a wide array of issues, mainly within the Planning
food sector. Our capabilities have been developed through years
Shareholder Value
of experience developing solutions for the most difficult,
fundamental problems facing our clients, and are focused only on
the issues most important to our clients. Corporate Growth
Core Growth
What we do New Markets & Channels
New Products
• We partner with clients to develop business strategies and, if Joint Ventures
needed, raise capital to fund growth.
Strategic Alliances
• We draw on our extensive knowledge and experience in the Mergers & Acquisition
food industry providing a wide range of services and solutions
for our clients.
M&A Strategy
• We not only assist with the development of a Acquisition Screening
business/strategic plan, we also think how we are going to
achieve the deliverables. Strategic Due Diligence
Merger Integration
• Unlike other consulting firms we work with our clients through
execution and beyond. Divestitures
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3. SPCD Partners
Al Bono – Founder & Managing Partner
Al founded Sheridan Partners in 1999 and has over 25 years of corporate
experience. Prior to founding SPCD, Bono has held President, CEO, Vice
President, General Manager and board level positions in confectionery,
dairy and specialty food industries. Al’s expertise includes strategic and SPCD Partners have
business planning, Mergers & Acquisitions, Sales, Marketing, Operations,
P&L Management and Finance.
over 100 years of
combined food
Ray Kiely – Partner industry experience.
Ray has extensive general management, sales and marketing management
background in consumer packaged goods. He has held President, COO and Over the last 20
Executive Vice President positions with major U.S. and international
confectionery firms. Ray has broad consulting experience including
years SPCD’s
contract manufacturing in Mexico and South America. partners have played
significant roles in
Viji Sampath – Partner
the confectionery
Over 25 years of corporate and consulting experience. Viji has initiated, industry from leading
negotiated, and successfully closed acquisitions, divestitures, joint strategic acquisitions
ventures and strategic alliances ranging in revenues from $2 million to
$300 million. in the U.S., Mexico
and China, to
Nick Pacitti – Partner working with niche
companies to expand
A food logistics expert with a strong track record of guiding new ventures and prosper.
and new product introductions for Kraft and Nestle as such, Nick has been
able to leverage operating and logistics strategies to drive business
opportunities nationally.
Wyn Jones – Partner
Wyn has over 30 years experience, on both sides of the Atlantic, in
marketing, strategy development, and research in the food industry. This
has covered a wide spectrum from searches for suitable acquisition
candidates in frozen bakery products and sugar confectionery to marketing
plans for ingredient suppliers and microbreweries.
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4.
What makes us different?
Experience
SPCD brings 100 years of combined domestic and international
food / confectionery industry experience to support our client’s
needs.
We deliver the know‐how and strategic insights to optimize
employee performance from engagement, to action planning, Conceiving,
performance management and organizational change.
developing, and
executing the
Senior Level Management
strategies and
initiatives that drive
Our partners have held senior level positions with confectionery
companies, held industry board positions, and have a solid
revenues, competitive
understanding of the industry.
market positioning,
profitability and
Conceiving, developing and executing the strategies and initiatives
that drive revenues, competitive market positioning, profitability
shareholder value is
and shareholder value is what we do best. what we do best.
Extensive Professional Network
Our team and professional network is one of the most extensive
in the industry.
Cost Effectiveness
SPCD delivers the best of our firm to every client as cost
effectively as we can.
Track Record of Success
We have a strong track record of success, from large corporations
to small firms; our success is measured by how we achieve our
client’s objectives.
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5.
Values It is more urgent in
today’s challenging
• Our success is contingent on our client’s success. market place to
• Putting the client’s interest ahead of our own and doing our effectively and
best to deliver more than expected. efficiently manage
costs and grow than
• Teamwork and collaboration.
ever before.
• Keeping our client’s information confidential.
- We don’t reveal sensitive information.
- We don’t promote our own good work, and we focus
on making our clients successful.
• Telling the truth as we see it.
• Delivering the best of our firm to every client as cost
effectively as we can.
• We measure our success by how effectively we achieve our
client’s objectives.
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6.
Recent Projects
Company A
Privately held Confectionery Company considering divesture of all, or part of their company
• SPCD was contacted by owners and met for an informal discussion about a divestiture
plan. Discussions centered on the process, purchase price range, timing and “Three months after
responsibilities.
the first meeting the
• Discussed details of a transaction, including: divestiture sale was
o Divestiture strategy and conduct internal due diligence consummated. Post
o Prepare memorandum and identify potential buyers close SPCD led and
o Conduct formal marketing efforts developed strategic
o Conduct management presentations and buyer due diligence plan that doubled
o Evaluate bids and assist negotiations company sales and
value in months.”
• Once there was agreement to go forward, SPCD contacted the appropriate financial
partners that met the company’s needs. Three months after the first meeting the
divestiture sale was consummated. Post close SPCD led the game plan that doubled sales
and company value.
Company B
Acquired $180 Million consumer products food division from a fortune 100 company.
• SPCD contacted by private equity investors to consult with the acquisition of a food
division.
• Key aspects of SPCD’s involvement: Develop strategy and business plan “Success
deliverables: Sales
o Mission / Vision
jumped from $180
o Values million to $800
o Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats – SWOT Analysis. million in three
years through
o Strategy formulation
organic and
o Implementation strategic
o Control and Accountability acquisitions.”
• SPCD led the strategic planning process, developed plant operations game‐plan, growth
strategies, and solidified the management team.
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7. M&A Services
SPCD is a leading advisory firm that concentrates on M&A
assignments in the lower end of the middle market. We draw
upon our vast industry contacts and network with senior food
industry executives, investment banks, and private equity firms
to achieve our client objectives.
Buy‐side Services SPCD principals have
successfully initiated and
• Review client’s growth objectives and develop acquisition closed numerous acquisitions,
criteria. divestitures, and joint ventures
• Identify potential target companies that meet criteria. in CPG food industry.
• Initiate contact with target companies (at Management or Representative category
Board level) to convey client’s interest and rationale for transactions:
alliance or acquisition, and present a convincing value Confectionery
proposition for targets.
Dairy
• Provide preliminary valuation analysis, deal structure
options, and prepare non‐binding letter of intent. Frozen
• Assist in due diligence, negotiations, and post‐merger Grocery
integration planning. Specialty foods
• Provide input to legal counsel in preparation of definitive
agreements.
Sell‐side Services
• Prepare blind business profile and confidential information
memorandum.
• Advise client in selection of potential strategic and
financial buyers to target.
• Drive the sale process, including establishment of data
room, coordination of management presentations, due
diligence, facility visits, and analysis of buyer offers.
• Assist in negotiating price and key deal terms.
• Provide input to legal counsel in preparation of definitive
agreements.
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8.
Turnaround Management
In distressed or special situations that call for unique turnaround SPCD’s partners have
management expertise, SPCD will undertake an assessment of the extensive hands‐on
current state of business/ operations, determine critical short and experience managing
long‐term needs faced by the company, and develop actionable food firms at the
plans. Our functional areas of expertise include: President/CEO/COO
• Finance levels with significant
sales, marketing and
• Operations
operations
• Supply Chain
backgrounds.
• Sales/Marketing
Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
SPCD will match a company's needs with an experienced CEO for a
specific period of time as agreed to by SPCD and the client. The
interim CEO will report to the Board of Directors, or to the owners
of the company.
SPCD interim CEO’s have experience in the following areas:
• Day to day management of the business.
• Work with organization leaders to develop short and long term
objectives.
• Develop teams, assign objectives and follow up daily/weekly.
• Create harmony within the teams and a clear path for
improvement.
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9.
Consulting Services and Fees
Hourly Rate: $300.00 + Direct Expenses
Daily Rate: $2,000.00 + Direct Expenses
Retainer
2 to 5 days per month $1,880.00/Day + Direct Expenses
6 to 10 days per month $1,545.00/Day + Direct Expenses
Strategic Plan $45,000 + Direct Expenses
Includes approximately 200 hours of partner and staff time of information gathering and analysis [primary and
secondary research]. Identification of opportunities and threats and a [3] year sales forecast.
Specific recommendations and support on market entry, and an overall plan for managing and growing the business.
Business Plan $35,000 + Direct Expenses
160 hours of partner and staff time in information gathering, review of current operating goals, corporate
organization and budget for market entry.
Product Marketing Plan $30,000 + Direct Expenses
A minimum of 120 hours of partner and staff time in the development of a comprehensive plan for market
penetration.
Specialty Services
SPCD offers clients daily advisory services, phone conferencing participation, industry research and short term / long
term strategic board service.
Management Fee Activities
SPCD offers services to clients who desire our involvement in the execution of plan specifics and oversight of
business development on an ongoing basis. Costs for these services are negotiated on an individual basis. Initially,
they include a combination of monthly fees and % of sales + expenses. Over time such arrangements evolve into a
management and/or % of sales fee structure plus expenses.
SPCD Billing Policy
It is the policy of SPCD to bill only for its expenses, not intellectual product on initial meetings with
prospective clients. On all meetings thereafter, it is the policy of SPCD to bill for expenses and intellectual
product.
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10. Al Bono: ‐ Executive Biography
Office: 773‐862‐4965 ● Cell: 773‐771‐0359
Email: abono@sheridanpartners.net ● www.sheridanpartners.net
Bono is an accomplished hands‐on corporate leader, strategist, innovative thinker with broad‐
based expertise in operations, finance, sales/marketing and business development. Proven ability
to quickly analyze key business drivers and develop strategies to grow profitability in various
sectors.
Areas of Expertise
• Strategic Planning • Mergers & Acquisitions • Business Consulting
• Business Development • Turnaround Experience • Maximizing Profit
• New Market Identification • Building Shareholder Value • New Product Development
• Marketing • Leading Change • Outsourcing
Significant Achievements
As consultant led the acquisition of a $180 million food division, developed the consolidation plan, built the
organization and acquired six additional add‐on businesses taking the company to $800 million.
As President directed the turnaround of a $25 million UK owned company with negative profitability to $75 million
and EBITDA 26%. Identified strengths and weaknesses, defined core business strategy, prioritized strategic
initiatives and rallied the organization around our vision.
As consultant led the acquisition and growth plan of a leading privately held confectionery company, over three
years tripled the sales and profitability.
As Managing Partner led the strategic initiatives that turned an $8 million company into a $25 million business
with distribution in all major trade channels.
As CEO acquired five confectionery companies achieving $800 million in revenue, in three years sold to Nabisco.
As CEO successfully led a $500 million dairy cooperative through significant change and growth.
Career History
Title Company Industry
Managing Partner Sheridan Partners ‐ CD Consumer Products
Partner/CEO Quality Candy Company Confectionery/Specialty Food
Chairman & CEO Favorite Brands International Confectionery/Grocery/Baking
President & CEO California Cooperative Creamery Dairy Products
President & CEO Gardenia Foods Dairy Products
SR VP Sales & Marketing Kraft/Polly‐O Dairy Products
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11. Partial Client List
CH Food Companies
Anchor
Associated British Foods
Borden
Caffe Classico Foods
ConAgra Foods
Dixie Dew Food Products
Dole WE partner with our
Dry Clean Direct
clients to develop
Elmhurst Milk & Cream Company
Fresh Express business strategies;
Ghirardelli
Heinen's WE draw on our
High Liner Foods extensive industry
Hickory Farms knowledge and
Hormel Health Labs
contacts to find
Hunters Creek
International Multifoods solutions; and unlike
J&J Snack Foods other consulting firms
Jason's Deli
Kerry International WE work with our
Kraft Marshmallow Division clients through
Kozy Shack Pudding
execution and
Lindt & Sprüngli
London Dairy Ice Cream beyond.
M&M/Mars
McLane
Menu Direct
Missa Bay
Mount Vintage Plantation
Nature's Way
New Country Yogurt
Pan Pacific
Piedmont Candy Company
Pillsbury
Pfizer
Preferred Brands/Tasty Bite
Premier Snacks
Purina Mills
Quality Candy Company
Starbucks
Storck
Subway
Tanimura & Antle
Tastykake
Tootsie
Venture Foods
Wawa Food Markets
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12.
Sheridan Partners
Corporate
Development
LLC
Contact Information
Al Bono – Managing Partner Office: 773‐862‐4965 abono@sheridanpartners.net
Cell: 773‐771‐0359
Ray Kiely – Partner Office/Cell: 816‐564‐0025 rkiely@sheridanpartners.net
Web Site: www.sheridanpartners.net
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