A&J Capital Advisors, Inc.

A specialized mergers and acquisition firm and related consulting firm with a proven track record in the fields of mergers and acquisitions, corporate financings, turnaround management, and strategic consulting in the middle and lower-middle markets.

Our Services

Consulting Services

A&J offers consulting services targeted at both Operating Companies and Private Equity Groups. Regarding Private Equity Groups, consulting services include both follow-up work subsequent to transaction closings, such as facilitating Strategic Planning Seminars for newly acquired entities, as well as ongoing portfolio company analysis work.

A&J also assists companies in their fund raising activities. Such services include development of appropriate background materials and financial projections, and direct assistance relative to acquisition of bank senior debt financing, mezzanine/subordinated debt facilities and equity capital. Relationships are maintained with such traditional source as Commercial Banks, Non-Bank Commercial Lenders, SBIC's and Private Equity Groups, as well as non-traditional Private Investors and Lenders.
Operating Companies

A&J offers consulting services targeted at both Operating Companies and Private Equity Groups. Regarding Operating Companies, the Firm's services are focused on the provision of assistance relative to financing, acquisition, strategic consulting, growth strategy development and implementation growth, and cost reduction planning. Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Preparation of Business Plans and Offering Memorandums - A&J has significant experience in preparing Business Plans and Offering Memorandums which are typically used for fund raising activities.
- Financial Modeling and Projections - Detailed financial models and projections are usually required as part of a Business Plan or Offering Memorandum utilized for fund raising purposes.
- Development and Implementation of Strategic Growth Plans - A&J has developed and implemented strategic growth plans for numerous companies.
- Development and Implementation of Acquisition Programs - A&J has developed and implemented strategic acquisition programs for numerous companies.
- Development and Implementation of Cost Reduction Programs - A&J has developed and implemented cost reduction plans in numerous companies and has many years of turnaround situation management experience.
- Management Team Development - A&J has recruited and developed management teams for many of its portfolio companies over the years and maintains access to numerous managers encompassing a variety of disciplines.
- Management Oversight and/or Fulfilling Management Positions - A&J has often served in an oversight role for operating companies, private equity firms and other financing entities and, on occasion, will fill key management positions on a temporary or part-time basis.
Private Equity Groups

A&J offers consulting services targeted at both Operating Companies and Private Equity Groups. Regarding Private Equity Groups, consulting services include both follow-up work subsequent to transaction closings, such as facilitating Strategic Planning Seminars for newly acquired entities, as well as ongoing portfolio company analysis work. Services include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Development and Implementation of Strategic Plans - A&J has significant experience in the development and implementation of strategic plans for companies in numerous industries. The Firm has facilitated a number of Strategic Planning Seminars for both newly acquired entities and as an annual process for others.
- Development and Implementation of Cost Reduction Programs - A&J has developed and implemented cost reduction plans in numerous companies. The Firm possesses numerous years of turnaround situation management experience.
- Management Team Development - A&J has recruited and developed management teams for many of its portfolio companies over the years and maintains access to numerous managers encompassing a variety of disciplines.
- Development and Implementation of Acquisition Programs - A&J has developed and implemented strategic acquisition programs for numerous companies.
- Management Oversight and/or Fulfilling Management Positions - A&J has often served in an oversight role for private equity firms and other financing entities.
- Portfolio Company Oversight - A&J possesses significant experience in the performance of portfolio company overview analyses for banks and other investor groups.
Capital Facilitation

A&J assists companies in their fund raising activities. Such services include development of appropriate background materials and financial projections, and direct assistance relative to acquisition of bank senior debt financing, mezzanine/subordinated debt facilities and equity capital. Relationships are maintained with such traditional source as Commercial Banks, Non-Bank Commercial Lenders, SBIC's and Private Equity Groups, as well as non-traditional Private Investors and Lenders. Services include, but are not limited to, the following
- Preparation of Business Plans and Offering Memorandums - A&J has significant experience in preparing Business Plans and Offering Memorandums which are typically used for fund raising activities.
- Preparation of Financial Modeling and Projections - Detailed financial models and projections are usually required as part of a Business Plan or Offering Memorandum utilized for fund raising purposes.
- Development of Strategic Growth Plans - A&J has developed and implemented strategic growth plans for numerous companies which are often used for fund raising activities.
- Introduction to Funding Sources - A&J maintains relationships with numerous funding sources, including Commercial Banks, Non-Bank Commercial Lenders, SBIC's, Private Equity Groups and a number of non-traditional Private Investors and Lenders.
- Negotiation Assistance - A&J works with clients to negotiate financing structure and terms.

About Us

A&J Capital Advisors, Inc.'s primary business activities consist of the following:

Acquisitions

A&J has initiated and advised on more than 60 mergers and acquisitions and served as principal in more than 40 of these middle and lower-middle market transactions. A&J has a proven record in negotiating, acquiring and operating entities in various industries throughout its thirty-nine year history.

Financing Source Agency

A&J serves as agents for Private Equity Firms and other financing sources to provide assistance in the identification and location of buyout, change of control and recapitalization candidates. A&J's extensive "deal flow" and proven expertise in negotiating economically viable transactions has led A&J to this component of its business model.

Consulting Services

Based on its extensive consulting experience, A&J offers specialized consulting services to both Operating Companies and Private Equity Groups. Such services include management consulting and strategic planning to growth oriented, startup, turnaround and underperforming companies, and financially oriented transactional consulting in the areas of financing, recapitalizations, and mergers and acquisitions. A&J also provides assistance to Private Equity Groups regarding portfolio company analysis services and follow-up consulting services for recently acquired entities.

Investment Capital Facilitation

A&J assists companies in their fund raising activities. Such services include development of appropriate background materials and financial projections, and direct assistance relative to acquisition of commercial bank senior debt financing, mezzanine/subordinated debt facilities and equity capital. Relationships are maintained with such traditional sources, as Commercial Banks, Non-Bank Commercial Lenders, SBIC's and Private Equity Groups as well as non-traditional Private Investors and Lenders.

Background

A&J, formerly known as The Kabot Group, LLC, was founded in 1981 for the purpose of acquiring a portfolio of established operating companies and to provide consulting services to a small group of select clients. In 2008 A&J adopted its present name and was reorganized as a C Corporation in the state of Florida. Founder Gary Kabot has a proven track record in the fields of mergers and acquisitions, financings, turnaround management, and strategic consulting. Gary's background is finance and operations and he obtained his MBA from the Harvard Business School. Robin Lively founded and operated two business consulting firms following her ten year tenure with Bank of America where she focused on the specific areas of global financial services and treasury/cash management.

During the period 1981 through 2020, A&J developed and implemented acquisition programs in several different industries:

Metal Fabrication and Processing

Commencing in 1983, A&J, in association with two partners, created a new private company which, through a series of 12 acquisitions, quickly grew to a revenue base of $300 million per year. This entity was listed as one of the 400 largest private companies by Forbes Magazine.

Aluminum Fabrication

In 1988 A&J acquired an upscale manufacturer of aluminum doors and windows from the Federal Bankruptcy Court and immediately developed and implemented an aggressive, yet successful, turnaround plan.

Environmental Industry

In 1994 A&J acquired a small environmental services entity, merged it with a public vehicle, raised approximately $30 million in financing and then acquired eleven additional entities..

Licensed Products Industry

In 2002 A&J acquired a small manufacturer of licensed products selling products licensed by the NFL, Major League Baseball, NASCAR and approximately 150 major colleges. Distribution included major retailers (Wal-Mart and numerous others), stadiums directly (exclusive relationship with the NFL and Major League Baseball), and various distributors throughout the nation.

Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication and Machining Industries

In 2006, A&J acquired a precision sheet metal fabrication entity. During the first year of operations a major cost reduction program was developed and successfully implemented which reduced annual costs by in excess of $1 million. Approximately one year following this acquisition, a precision machining company was acquired and A&J integrated the two entities under one roof. A second cost reduction program was then developed (projected savings of approximately $700,000 per year).

Wireless Telecom Industry

In 2010 A&J acquired a wireless telecom services company that installed antennas and radio sets on cell phone towers. The customer base was expanded to include the primary service providers, including AT&T Wireless and NSORO. The Company's geographic coverage area was also expanded to include the entire Southeast and a construction division was formed.

Water Purification Industry

In 2013 A&J acquired an entity that developed, manufactured, and marketed a line of proprietary mobile water systems for the emergency response and international sustainability markets. The primary customer base consisted of hospitals (including numerous VA hospital facilities), various branches of the military, and governmental agencies.

Electronic Equipment Manufacturing Industry

In 2017 A&J acquired an entity that developed, manufactured, and marketed a complete line of material handling equipment for the printed circuit board assembly process industry. As a result of the implementation of an aggressive organic growth plan, revenues and EBITDA levels increased by approximately 100% during the first year under A&J's ownership. A new subsidiary was also created to develop and market an innovative software product for the industry whose goal was to generate significant cost savings for customers. The long-term plan was to shift the Company from a manufacturer of hardware, which was very dependent on general economic cycles, to a developer of innovative software.

Infrastructure Construction Industry

In 2020 A&J formed a new holding company with a stated purpose of capitalizing on the significant opportunity created by U.S. infrastructure industry's rapidly expanding requirement for outsourced business services. Although this holding company will ultimately explore various specialty niches within the infrastructure services business, its initial focus is in the area of marine and waterfront construction. To implement its strategic plan, the holding company acquired its platform operating subsidiary in late 2020. This initial entity is a leading provider of commercial waterfront and marine structure construction services in the Southeastern U.S. and specializes in solving strategic and logistical problems on a wide variety of waterfront projects primarily for various governmental agencies. An overall strategic growth plan has been developed and is now being implemented with an aim of generating organic growth for the platform company, expansion of geographic coverage, addition of new products and services, and an aggressive acquisition program.

In addition to acquisition programs for its own account, A&J has also provided consulting services to both large entities (with sales of $400 million to in excess of $2 billion) and young, growth oriented companies. Historically, these services included strategic planning, industry and competitive analysis, development and implementation of acquisition programs, cost reduction programs and marketing and sales programs.

Ready To Get Started?

Take the next step, and contact A&J Capital Advisors, Inc. now to see how we can help you achieve your goals!

Get Started

Our Team

Gary Kabot

Founder / Chief Executive Officer

gkabot@ajcapinc.com

Gary Kabot is the Founder and CEO of A&J Capital Advisors, Inc. ("A&J"), whose predecessor company was organized in 1981 for the purpose of acquiring a portfolio of established operating companies and to provide consulting services to a small group of select clients. These consulting services included management consulting and strategic planning to startup, turnaround and underperforming companies, and financial consulting in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, financings, and recapitalizations. A&J also assisted young, growth companies with the process of going public, through either Initial Public Offerings (IPO's) or through mergers with clean public shell corporations.

Most recently - Chief Executive Officer of Lakefront Holdings, Inc., the holding company for Accu-Dyne, Inc., a precision sheet metal fabricator and for Apollo Tool & Die, Inc., a precision machining operation.
2002 through 2006 - Chief Executive Officer of Attila Holdings, Inc. and, in that capacity, was responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Operating and Marketing Plans for Seven Sons and Company, Inc., a licensed product manufacturer.
1994 through 1997 - Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of a holding company. Under Mr. Kabot's leadership, this entity developed and implemented a strategic acquisition program in two segments of the environmental services industry. During its first fifteen months in business, the holding company acquired eleven entities and grew from a start-up operation to an entity with in excess of $50 million in assets and $20 million in annualized revenues.
1991 through 1994 and 1997 through 2001 - Partner in The Kabot Group, LLC., a consulting firm whose primary professional heritage was McKinsey and Company. The Kabot Group LLC provided consulting services in the areas of strategic planning and mergers and acquisitions primarily to Fortune 200 clients.
1984 through 1987 - Chief Financial Officer of a Florida-based diversified holding company formed by Mr. Kabot and two partners. This company grew to an annual revenue base of approximately $300 million. During his time with this entity, Mr. Kabot was primarily responsible for an acquisition program, which resulted in the successful acquisition of nine entities increasing the annual revenues from approximately $10 million to in excess of $300 million. As a result of this program, this entity was listed as one of the 400 largest private companies in the United States by Forbes magazine. The majority of the acquisitions for which Mr. Kabot was responsible represented turnaround situations, some of which required the hiring of entire new management teams. In these cases, Mr. Kabot was responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of the turnaround plans.
1972 through 1981 - Associated with Arthur Young & Company. Mr. Kabot started with the Firm's Boston office in 1972, serving as a senior in the audit department. Following a two year leave of absence to obtain his MBA Degree from the Harvard Business School, Mr. Kabot returned to Arthur Young in 1977 to specialize in business consulting. Attaining the title of Audit Manager in 1978, he transferred to the Firm's Miami, Florida office to assist in the development of an emerging business consulting practice.

Mr. Kabot, born in 1950, is a graduate, with distinction, of Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in Accounting. Mr. Kabot completed his education at the Harvard Business School, receiving a Master of Business Administration Degree with Honors.

Robin Lively

Chief Financial Officer

Robin Lively, CFO of A&J, while the newest member of A&J, has twenty years of experience in the corporate worlds of insurance and banking. In both fields, Ms. Lively managed high revenue accounts and established strong professional and personal relationships with her clients. When deciding to branch out on her own, she incorporated this network in starting two business consulting firms that focus on young, growing companies, providing expertise in the areas of finance, banking and corporate structure.

Ms. Lively's role at A&J is to identify acquisition candidates for companies with aggressive acquisition programs, private equity groups and others. Ms. Lively, born in 1962, is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Business Administration.

Contact Us

A&J Capital Advisors, Inc. maintains an office in beautiful Sherrills Ford (just outside of Charlotte), North Carolina. Contact Us now, to develop the most effective strategy to achieve your goals.

Address

181 Park Crest Drive
Troutman, NC 28166

Shouldn't your firm have a proventrack record?