We help generate corporate turnaround and growth opportunities, with major emphasis on craftsman-like M&A business.
Ten years have passed since I founded SOTOKU, a boutique firm specializing in M&A intermediary.
I have been engaged in M&A business for more than 20 years, including the period I worked for a securities firm.
During these 20 years, M&A has become broadly recognized as an effective vehicle for company growth, and is currently carried out in most if not all industries.
Nevertheless, very few cases exist where both parties involved in the M&A are able to increase their corporate values and mutually benefit from the M&A.
M&A deals must overcome a heap of obstacles to reach a formal agreement. The smallest fray during negotiations may lead to the break-down of the deal, and the most trivial misunderstanding may cause post-deal estrangement.
Delicate consideration and patient negotiations are indispensable, especially for our core business of M&A deals involving private companies.
Activities such as “Planning an M&A strategy based on proper evaluation” is indeed important, but the knowledge and instinct that underlie the ability to grasp the essence of the deal can only be gained through long-term experience.
The company is an entity consisting of people. Thus, any M&A should take place not only with respect to business theories, but by taking into consideration the entire company identity - its people, ethics and history.
In SOTOKU, we strive to “have the greatest common sense”, which we believe is the quality needed for an M&A dealer.
As an M&A professional, as we strive to deepen our expertise every day, we pursue the ideal of “having the greatest common sense”.
At the same time, we strive to maximize the quality of our M&A work by collaborating with experts in accounting, finance, law, as well as in intellectual property, which is the key to post-deal corporate growth.
With the best team of trusted members who share the same vision, we hope to contribute to the revitalization and growth of both buyers and sellers, by continuously creating many M&A opportunities to come.
Tokuji Utsunomiya
President & CEO
