The Grawe Pod places a focus on the purchasing side of the merger and acquisition process in the trucking and logistics industry. Taking an inside look at the variety of considerations with the buy-side of M&A are Grawe Group Founder and CEO Doug Grawe and Grawe Group Executive Business Partner Gary Randall.

As you will hear, Doug and Gary take a deep dive into the evaluation process for making an acquisition. From their experience in the field, defining the goal of the deal should come first before moving to the due diligence stage and pricing. As they both note, how the acquisition is integrated within the existing company structure should be planned around the goal that has been defined.

Gary brings practical experience from buying carriers and leading transitions, while Doug shares the advisory and due diligence perspective. Together, they discuss how to avoid common mistakes, protect existing operations, and build a transition team that can execute.

You will hear Doug and Gary discuss why the first question in any acquisition is: “What are we trying to buy?” They also explore the difference between buying a company as an investment and buying it to operate and improve it.

The conversation between Doug and Gary highlights why a clear mission and a realistic plan matter as much as enthusiasm for the acquisition. Their discussion includes thoughts on how to plan the transition, noting who should be there on day one, who communicates with each team, and when to begin planning. Additionally, they cover the cost behind the cost, considering the operational changes and hidden expenses that affect whether a deal makes sense.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed